I'd say if you have cornus under a cherry tree, or any hefty shrubs, it's going to be hard to keep them moist, unless you get a lot of rain, and I'm guessing you don't? No matter what you add, you still have to plant according to the conditions. It can be a bit of a bummer, but that's how it is. I expect the roses take a lot too.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
That might be the best solution, but you'd need to be careful round the tree. You don't want to be raising the soil level round it. If you can manage it, you could step the raised areas too, so that the lowest section is where the tree is
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
You already have cyclamen doing well so that's a clue. More of those and/or epimediums and ferns as mentioned above.
Wait for the leaves to fall and then, having seen that huge tree, I think I would gather them up and let the rain fall unhindered for a week or three till the soil is thoroughly dampened and then mulch it to lock it in. If you can get a 3" mulch on before Xmas and then another layer in spring before planting new ferns and epimediums it should hold and the worms will have a thoroughly fine time working it all in for you.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast. "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
I think the rain is a major factor here. Hold on to all the organic matter you have until you get that, and the ground gets a really good soaking. If the surface of the soil's a bit solid too, it's worth breaking that surface a bit with a fork too. Just to loosen it a little, and help moisture get in. Any mulch will be far more effective then too. It's difficult if there's a lot of roots near the surface, and the only thing that helps with that is piling on the compost, manure and leaf mould. As @Obelixx says, if you can get a decent layer on in the next month or two, it'll be much better by spring.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I think the rain is a major factor here. Hold on to all the organic matter you have until you get that, and the ground gets a really good soaking. If the surface of the soil's a bit solid too, it's worth breaking that surface a bit with a fork too. Just to loosen it a little, and help moisture get in. Any mulch will be far more effective then too. It's difficult if there's a lot of roots near the surface, and the only thing that helps with that is piling on the compost, manure and leaf mould. As @Obelixx says, if you can get a decent layer on in the next month or two, it'll be much better by spring.
Are you thinking of the 2016 pictures at the end of that post?
Posts
No matter what you add, you still have to plant according to the conditions. It can be a bit of a bummer, but that's how it is.
I expect the roses take a lot too.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Im taking one shrub I cant identify that doesn’t flower out, there are suckers from the rose that have spread out quite far too.
Maybe be one more chance next year as I’m making slow progress, and if that’s not enough then I’ll try ripping it all out and putting in raised beds.
If you can manage it, you could step the raised areas too, so that the lowest section is where the tree is
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Wait for the leaves to fall and then, having seen that huge tree, I think I would gather them up and let the rain fall unhindered for a week or three till the soil is thoroughly dampened and then mulch it to lock it in. If you can get a 3" mulch on before Xmas and then another layer in spring before planting new ferns and epimediums it should hold and the worms will have a thoroughly fine time working it all in for you.
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
It's difficult if there's a lot of roots near the surface, and the only thing that helps with that is piling on the compost, manure and leaf mould. As @Obelixx says, if you can get a decent layer on in the next month or two, it'll be much better by spring.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Are you thinking of the 2016 pictures at the end of that post?
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
😉