Hi Lori,

Can you attach the soil test report please? That will help.

Thanks!

Your personal master gardener, Mary Jane S ;)

Hope you're well!

Hi Lori,

Your test results aren't unusual for this area, and most plants grow perfectly well in soil like yours.

With that high organic content you shouldn't be fertilizing or adding any kind of soil amendment. Any new shrubs should be planted in the soil that is already there. The pH level is fine for both mountain currant and yews, if you want to give them another try.

The soil report says the estimated soil texture is "peat." Did you add that when planting? If so, throughly dig that in and mix it well with existing soil before replanting. If there is peat there in layers it can both dry out quickly, stay very wet and almost form barriers in the ground.

With your average soil, you should concentrate on picking zone 4 or 5 shrubs based on how much sun this area gets and the mature size of the plant. The light issue is especially important.

See the evergreen section here:

https://extension.umn.edu/find-plants/trees-and-shrubs#choosing-and-caring-for-evergreens-2366460

And here's a planting guide:

https://extension.umn.edu/how/planting-and-transplanting-trees-and-shrubs

Watering isn't an issue this year (yet), but if it turns dry your new plants will need regular watering right up until the ground freezes.

I hope this helps, Lori. Stay well! 

You're welcome!