Hi, there. My cousin and I want to plant a native, flowering tree or shrub – maybe Serviceberry? – at a gravesite in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. I am attaching a marked-up photo showing where it will go. It is a very shady spot because of a large mausoleum directly to the west, plus many mature trees. Having planted annuals nearby I would say the soil is clay; for sure it’s very compacted.
How well could a Serviceberry (Downy, for example?) do in this situation? I have one in my own full-shade garden that happily blooms before my Oak tree has leaves, but mine isn’t blocked by any structures and it faces west. From a quick look at your guide at https://www.torontomastergardeners.ca/gardeningguides/ornamental-shrubs-for-various-light-conditions-a-toronto-master-gardeners-guide/ I’m also wondering about Witch Hazel or Gray Dogwood or Nannyberry. Those don’t look as pretty as Serviceberry, except perhaps the Witch Hazel.
Other question = I’m not sure what qualifies as Amelanchier “Canadensis.” Does that include Downy?
THANKS!!
Thank you for contacting Toronto Master Gardeners. What a nice idea to plant a native tree or shrub next to a gravesite.
To answer your last question first, there are about 30 species of Amelanchier or Serviceberry and all but 2 are native to North America. The Downy Serviceberry is Amelanchier arborea while Amelanchier canadensis is sometimes commonly known as “Shadblow”. These are 2 different species. If you are interested the Missouri Botanical Garden “Plant Finder” has a lot of detail on all the different species of Amelanchier. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderProfileResults.aspx?basic=amelanchier
Serviceberries generally prefer sun to part-shade conditions and although they can tolerate a variety of soil types, they do best in well-drained soil. This may mean that it is not the best choice for your very shady spot with compacted soil.
Of your other choices Witch Hazel or Hamamelis virginiana and Grey Dogwood or Cornus racemose both grow best in full sun to part-shade and prefer moist soil so may not do well in a deeply shaded site with poor soil conditions.
Nannyberry or Viburnum lentago may be a suitable native choice as it can tolerate a wider variety of soil types and light conditions. Nannyberry grows to about 5 metres, has very attractive white flowers in spring and can be pruned to grow in an upright tree form if desired.
The “Grow Me Instead” has some excellent information on trees and shrubs that will give you an overview of the various light conditions required for a variety of native choices available to you.
https://www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca/resources/grow-me-instead/
Unfortunately, compacted soil does not hold water well and make it difficult for roots to spread and grow. It can be quite common in public spaces. You may want to inquire if there is irrigation in that area of the cemetery. Organic matter added to the top of the soil after planting the tree may help hold water. This guide provides a lot of information on how to prepare a site for planting and planting tips.
April 23,2024