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Making raised bed for Japanese maple?

2 years ago

I have a perfect spot for a Japanese Maple (Twombly's Red Sentinel), but it's at the bottom of a slight slope.
In the spring the bottom of the slope accrues rain water (makes a pool about 1 inch deep)
Is there a way to still grow Red Sentinel here? Would making a mound with top soil and planting the tree on that work?

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

2 years ago

If the mound is high enough, it could work. But Japanese maples are very intolerant of poorly draining soils so that would most probably not be my first choice for siting.

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Comments (8)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
2 years ago
plant it uphill of the bottom .. move something else down there ..

how about a pic of the spot.. so we can dream up some ideas.. right now.. i really dont understand the premise .. plant it on the hill.. its not that hard to do

ken
hl_60 thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
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hl_60
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago

Here is the area. Wanted to expand the bed.

I think you are right GardenGal...

If there are suggestions for alternative that'd be great. zone 6 Part sun.
krnuttle
2 years ago
From the pictures the area appears to be about 20' by about 30', so depending on what is around the area will depend on what can be plant there.

Also with such and apparent small area, have you tried to create swales to drain the flooded area?

One other consideration is the length time the area is covered with water. IF while it rains water collects in the area, but drains as soon as it stops raining you may not have to worry about the "flooding"
hl_60 thanked krnuttle
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
2 years ago
have you perked your native soil ...

i had an area that was under water for about a week if the snow thawed before the ground thawed... and NO PLANT at all cared ... as seconds after the water warmed.. and the ground thawed... the water was gone ...

the only real problem with it.. was the 100 pound dog who loved to frolic in it ... giving a dog that size a bath every evening gets old fast .. luckily the ground thawed fast ..

ken

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=perk+test+garden+soil&t=ffab&iar=videos&iax=videos&ia=videos
hl_60 thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
hl_60
Original Author
2 years ago
I like the idea to consider how long water 'floods' the area. I'd say by the next day, the water is gone and the ground is moist but now "squishy" underfoot.

Another thought is to embrace the sogginess by planting a tree/shrub that won't mind wet feet in the spring....
tete_a_tete
2 years ago
Where in that photo are are thinking you would like to plant a maple?
hl_60
Original Author
2 years ago
About 5-6 feet to the left of the existing bed. I was going to expand the bed.

Slowly getting rid of the lawn. Lol.

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