Shrubs for the Island

Pricestavern · 05-25-2010, 11:50 AM

We’re looking for recommendations on types of shrubbery to plant on Rattlesnake Island. Have a fairly rocky site, brilliant sun in the morning, deep shade in the afternoon. I'm looking for something to help hold what soil there is.

Prefer something that's grows locally, stays low, is hardy and doesn't need much maintenance. Flowering is a plus, but not necessary.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
R and M

ishoot308 · 05-25-2010, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pricestavern

We’re looking for recommendations on types of shrubbery to plant on Rattlesnake Island. Have a fairly rocky site, brilliant sun in the morning, deep shade in the afternoon. I'm looking for something to help hold what soil there is.

Prefer something that's grows locally, stays low, is hardy and doesn't need much maintenance. Flowering is a plus, but not necessary.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
R and M

Blueberry bushes grow well are maintenance free and are natural to the islands.

Dan

Grady223 · 05-25-2010, 01:23 PM

Mountain Laurels do very well.

Also, NH DES has a list of recommended plants, try them.

Rattlesnake Guy · 05-25-2010, 05:27 PM

We are on the sunrise side also and have more rock than dirt. Some thoughts.

1) The deer eat any flowers soon after they arrive.

2) We planted a few Rhododendrons and they are surviving but growing very very slow. (3 inches per year)

3) Our yard is populated with hemlocks and the baby hemlocks seem to really thrive as the closest thing we have to ground cover.

4) The deer come in the winter and eat whatever they can including hemlock.

5) We also have blueberry bushes that are growing wild.

6) The kids planted a moss garden years ago and it survives 8 years later.

Pine Island Guy · 05-26-2010, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Blueberry bushes grow well are maintenance free and are natural to the islands.

Dan

plus they are great to eat!

to the first blueberry pancakes of the year -PIG

Pricestavern · 05-26-2010, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pine Island Guy

...to the first blueberry pancakes of the year -PIG

Here Here!

Sounds like we're planting blueberry bushes!

Thanks very much for all your suggestions (love this forum)!

- R & M

RLW · 05-26-2010, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pine Island Guy

plus they are great to eat!

to the first blueberry pancakes of the year -PIG

our low and high bushes have lots of blossoms this year. Blueberry pancakes and muffins will be in the tummy in July.

WIS · 05-27-2010, 09:50 AM

Here is the list of native plants Grady was suggesting, we use it often:

http://des.nh.gov/organization/commi..._plantings.pdf

Slickcraft · 05-27-2010, 10:30 AM

Here is an early October look between our camp and the water, leaves just starting to turn. This area gets about 70% shade and 30% sun. The blueberries are all wild plants that have receive zero attention over 40 years including no trimming.

RLW · 05-27-2010, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pricestavern

Here Here!

Sounds like we're planting blueberry bushes!

Thanks very much for all your suggestions (love this forum)!

- R & M

My family just dug some up along the walking path and replanted in the yard and now are spreading in the right directions and producing beautiful berries

Shedwannabe · 05-27-2010, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pricestavern

Sounds like we're planting blueberry bushes!

Actually, you have to work if you DON'T want blueberry bushes. They appear naturally, They expand. They become tangles of branches, making trails impassable in a few years. Blueberries is what is. Trails is what you work to create.

Just Sold · 05-27-2010, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

Here is an early October look between our camp and the water, leaves just starting to turn. This area gets about 70% shade and 30% sun. The blueberries are all wild plants that have receive zero attention over 40 years including no trimming.

These appear to be low bush which would be common in NE. The high bush varieties produce larger berries but I do not believe they would be found in the Lakes Region.
My brother has wild blueberries on his Maine property and the only thing that is done to them is a controlled burn every other year which helps the plants by killing off other plant growth that would push the blueberry plants out and keeps production output up. He makes pretty good money from about 4 acres of them too. His are flash frozen the day they are picked by G. M. Allen & Son Blueberries. http://www.gmallenwildblueberries.com/index.html

Lucky1 · 05-27-2010, 04:45 PM

Well here is an idea for the Forum Fest......How about some members who have these "wild blueberry bushes" bringing a small cutting and having a "for sale" table? Maybe some members have a favorite plant that will be separated into a small plant for sale etc. Seems like a good way to raise some money for whatever charity gets chosen?? We have no blueberry bushes but would love to get some especially wild ones that give great berries and need little care!!

Know nothing about the forum fest so hope this is not something that is out of line for ideas.

05-25-2010, 11:50 AM	#1
Pricestavern Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Valencia, Spain (formerly Rattlesnake Isle) Posts: 389 Thanks: 135 Thanked 142 Times in 82 Posts	Shrubs for the Island We’re looking for recommendations on types of shrubbery to plant on Rattlesnake Island. Have a fairly rocky site, brilliant sun in the morning, deep shade in the afternoon. I'm looking for something to help hold what soil there is. Prefer something that's grows locally, stays low, is hardy and doesn't need much maintenance. Flowering is a plus, but not necessary. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance, R and M

05-27-2010, 09:50 AM	#8
WIS Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lake Winnipesaukee, NH Posts: 32 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 7 Thanked 20 Times in 8 Posts	Here is the list of native plants Grady was suggesting, we use it often: http://des.nh.gov/organization/commi..._plantings.pdf __________________ Winnipesaukee Island Services - Moorings, Docks, and General Construction 603-707-4677 www.WinnipesaukeeIslands.com

05-27-2010, 10:30 AM	#9
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,296 Thanks: 1,222 Thanked 2,080 Times in 952 Posts	Yes blueberries Here is an early October look between our camp and the water, leaves just starting to turn. This area gets about 70% shade and 30% sun. The blueberries are all wild plants that have receive zero attention over 40 years including no trimming. Attached Images

05-25-2010, 01:23 PM	#3
Grady223 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New Hope, PA & Barndoor Island Posts: 465 Thanks: 93 Thanked 24 Times in 18 Posts	Mountain Laurels do very well. Also, NH DES has a list of recommended plants, try them.

05-25-2010, 05:27 PM	#4
Rattlesnake Guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 423 Thanked 366 Times in 175 Posts	We are on the sunrise side also and have more rock than dirt. Some thoughts. 1) The deer eat any flowers soon after they arrive. 2) We planted a few Rhododendrons and they are surviving but growing very very slow. (3 inches per year) 3) Our yard is populated with hemlocks and the baby hemlocks seem to really thrive as the closest thing we have to ground cover. 4) The deer come in the winter and eat whatever they can including hemlock. 5) We also have blueberry bushes that are growing wild. 6) The kids planted a moss garden years ago and it survives 8 years later.

05-27-2010, 04:45 PM	#13
Lucky1 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Moultonborough and FL Posts: 459 Thanks: 318 Thanked 123 Times in 53 Posts	Well here is an idea for the Forum Fest......How about some members who have these "wild blueberry bushes" bringing a small cutting and having a "for sale" table? Maybe some members have a favorite plant that will be separated into a small plant for sale etc. Seems like a good way to raise some money for whatever charity gets chosen?? We have no blueberry bushes but would love to get some especially wild ones that give great berries and need little care!! Know nothing about the forum fest so hope this is not something that is out of line for ideas.