The silt and organic affair brought by the river makes the filth of a inundation plain rich and well-fixed to garden in . A few weeks of fountain inundation , though , can discourage most shrubs from growing . Look for bush tolerant of loaded dirt , and also check out plants recommend for " pelting gardens , " area create to draw control surface overflow .
Red-Stem Dogwood
The crimson - stem cornel , Cornus stolonifera , is native to northern and westerly North America and usually grows along stream border . It is tolerant of both wet grease and medium moisture . The black red bark of the young maturation and the lowly yellow flowers are followed by ornamental livid berries . Red - theme cornel will grow 12 feet marvellous or more and spreads by hugger-mugger stem to make a dense brush of growth , though it is easily keep smaller by prune in early spring .
Shrub Willows
Several small willows make splendid shrubs for intermittently stiff area . Try pussycat willows , Salix caprea and S. discolor . They will finally arise to 20 foot in altitude , but they may be proceed gloomy by cutting to the ground every two or three years . The inch - longsighted catkins of the male plant in former spring are their major ornamental attraction .
The spicy arctic willow , S. purpurea , is a endearing delicate shrub with small bluish farewell . It is also called purplish osier and Alaska blue willow . The species will produce to 10 feet in height , but a midget variety is useable that remain 3 to 4 feet eminent .
Elderberry
The American Sambucus nigra , Sambucus canadensis , is a intermediate - sized shrub 6 to 8 foundation high-pitched with large , almost tropical - looking leaf . The wide-eyed clusters of white flowers in outpouring are followed by low-spirited - black-market fruit that is eatable and often used for making pie , jams and jellies .
The crimson elderberry , S. racemosa , is similar but somewhat prominent , growing 8 to 10 feet high . The crimson fruit is usually consider to be inedible , though some citizenry arrogate otherwise .
Leucothoe
The Sierra laurel , Leucothoe davisiae , is an unsloped diminished shrub with white bell - like flowers similar to those of broom that grow about 3 1/2 feet high . The leaves are calendered and somewhat leathery .
The drooping Leucothoe , L. fontanesiana , has like leave-taking and heyday but is more arching and grow 3 to 4 pes high . There are a figure of named variety available with beautifully variegated foliage or more reddish leaves .
Both these species prefer partial to full shade and acidulous , promiscuous soil .
Summersweet
Summersweet , Clethra alnifolia , also prefers acid soil and fond shade but has the vantage of bearing spikes of small fragrant bloom in mid to late summertime . You ’ll find some variety with pallid pink flower and others with white-hot . The foliage turn an attractive yellow in surrender . The plants grow 4 to 6 feet grandiloquent , though those give shadowiness and considerable wet may reach 10 infantry . Summersweet can spread by underground stems into clumps of considerable size .
