Question
Hi -

I live on 3.5 acres in Foristell, Missouri Zone 6 and I am going to downsize my yard and would like to return the area that I won't be mowing to native plantings. I am also going to reclaim part of my woods and make it more attractive but still low maintenance. I will pretty much have a clean slate to work from, meaning that since I have been knocking down volunteer trees, doing burns and cutting scrub and weeds it is pretty much bare dirt which will erode quickly if I don't do something to prevent it. The area will be a mix of shade/sun and full shade.

Can you suggest what type of prep work I will need to do as well as what will cover in poor clay soil in different types of sun conditions? I need to xeriscape as it will be on the outer reaches of my property and not realistic to water.

Thanks for your help,

Roger Wilkerson

Answer
Roger -
You're going to need a little bit of water to get things established, thats why most folks do their planting in the Spring (as teh saying goes: "April showers...")

Your are on the right regime, in clearing out the "volunteers" and generally keeping the growth under control.  Poor clay soils are also a challenge.  Here is a list of plants that will do o.k. in a zone 6 or colder.  

The groundcovers are at the bottom of the list.

Betula species (Birch trees)
Cornus species  (Dogwoods)
Populus tremuloides  (Quaking aspen)
Potentilla pensylvanica  (Pennsylvania cinquefoil)
Potentilla fruticosa  (Bush cinquefoil)
Rhododendron spp. (rhododendrons)
Salix reticulate  (Netleaf willow)  
Elaeagnus commutata  (Silverberry)
Viburnum trilobum  (American cranberry bush)  
Berberis thunbegii  (Japanese bayberry)
Junipercus species (Juniper)
Lonicera tatarica  (Tatarian honeysuckle)
Malus baocata  (Siberian crabapple)
Thuia occidentalis (American arborvitae)  
Hydrangea paniculata  (Panicle hydrangea)
Ligustrum amurense  (Amur River privet)
Ligustrum vulgare  (Common privet)
Spiraea x vanhouttei  (Vanhouffe spirea)  
Taxus cuspidata  (Japanese yew)  
Buxus sempervirens  (Common boxwood)
Ilex opaca  (American holly)
Paithenocissus tricuspidata  (Boston ivy)
Parthenocissus quinquefolia  (Virginia creeper)
Euonymus follunei  (Winter creeper)
Hedera helix  (English ivy)

One quick "trick" to lessen the impact of run-off is to spread straw or some other organic on top of freshly stripped soil...and if there is any kind of slope to the site, watch out!

Part of the natural forest "duff" and leaf litter God placed in His creation was to control this excessive run-off & erosion associated with heavy clay soils - Organics on & in the soil help in providing a path for the water to seep into the lower layers.

As far as sunny, partly/sunny, or shady, it depends on which you choose..check at this website for detailed descriptions:

http://www.growit.com/PlantInfo/LandScape.Htm

Hope it helps ~M