Avatar for Larry44
May 1, 2023 12:55 PM CST
Thread OP

Hi folks. Just joined forum and am excited to pick some green brains. We have a steep bank that is very hard to maintain, especially for someone with some age-related mobility issues. I'd like to plant some flowering bushes there, especially a couple of butterfly bushes, that would take up some space and cut down some maintenance. The only issue is that there's a mature black walnut growing back there. Does anyone know if a butterfly bush can grow around a black walnut? I know some people don't like butterfly bushes because they're not native, but many of the plants growing back there are noxious ones. At least a butterfly bush would provide some color and cover for birds. Anyway, thanks in advance.

Larry
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May 1, 2023 5:17 PM CST
Name: brenda reith
pennsauken, nj (Zone 7a)
nature keeps amazing me
Where are you located Larry? What else is growing there?
listen to your garden
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May 3, 2023 6:37 AM CST
Name: stone
near Macon Georgia (USA) (Zone 8a)
Garden Sages Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Plant Identifier
I agree
breith95 said: Where are you located Larry?


Black walnut aren't near the bugabear that they get made out to be.
https://extension.psu.edu/land...

Turf grass is a far worse issue.

When I searched butterfly bushes specifically? Looks like a no go.

https://www.houzz.com/discussi...
Viburnums, smokebush (cotinus), spirea, butterfly bush, and roses don't do well under black walnuts.
Last edited by stone May 3, 2023 6:45 AM Icon for preview
Avatar for Pyewacket
May 3, 2023 12:26 PM CST
Name: Pyewacket
Texas (Zone 7b)
Try comfrey if you want to stabilize the slope. Comfrey grows vegetation profusely, it can be chopped pretty much at will for all the mulch or composting material you want. Or you can just leave it to its own devices. It can become invasive depending on your climate, the site, and the variety. Thyme, prostrate Rosemary, common sage, and oregano are good on slopes and will flower. Vinca minor is a ground cover that spreads readily and will flower. Moss rose (portulaca) is another flowering low growing fast spreader. Creeping phlox, also good but I haven't found seed for it yet.

Dwarf forsythia (prostrate form) or flowering quince. Prostrate sumac. Lilacs. I love lilacs.

I don't know of any particular reaction to black walnut for any of those, but it may be so. Some might not be appropriate for your area or conditions. Don't know where you are or what kind of weather you should expect. There are other things that might work but the above should give you a good start.
Last edited by Pyewacket May 3, 2023 12:28 PM Icon for preview
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