I live in st.louis MO and i'm looking for something to plant in the bare area between a wall and a dogwood. it's shaded and the soil seems rather clay-like. i couldn't get hens & chickens to thrive. suggestions?
by 
medeous
ANSWERS: 2
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LMAO! Don't tell me that you were planting actual hens and chickens in the bare area between a wall and a dogwood! :P Yew Shrubs, Bleeding Hearts, Lamium, Periwinkle Vinca, Hosta Plants, Northern Sea Oats (ornamental grass), Azeleas are all hardy plants/bushes that do well in shaded areas. Be careful of the Yew Shrubs though... all parts of the yew are poisonous, except for the red berry, but the yew seeds are poisonous and the seed matures within the berry.
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You might have more luck if you try improving the soil a bit. For a few dollars you could buy a bag of hummus and a bag of composted cow manure. Dump all the humus and half the composted manure on the clay and work it in with a hoe or a steel rake. You could also just use some home made compost if you have any piles of leaves lying around. Once the soil is improved many things will do well in partial sun and shade. Try impatiens, verbena, vincas, or Hostas.
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