Question
mark,

i live in salem, OR. and have a heart-shaped garden around a
mature cherry tree. i want to plant all one thing, for maximum
pop, & it'd be cool if the planting was visible year-around. also,
the tree makes digging deep holes difficult as it has large roots
close to the surface all around it. what gets planted there must
also take to some 'abuse' during harvest. of course it would be
fantastic if the plants had a zing about them--red leafed, big
leafed, variegated leafed, chartreuse, dark green, inherent
interest.

can you give me some suggestions for this planting problem?
oh, i should say, the tree is on the east side of the house and
gets both morning and afternoon sun as well as shade.

thank you,
sloy

Answer
Sloy,

Okay, I know I've been slow to respond.  But I've been thinking.   You've got a tough planting situation.

I've got cherry trees with the following under them:  Moss (as a garden), azaleas, lemon balm (cultivated to fill a bed), lawn, and last & least...bark.

None of these, with  the exception of the azaleas comes close to fitting the bill.   So,

One option would be to try a grouping of "PJM" Rhodies.  They come in a  variety of mature heights.  I think the smallest one, which is what you'd want is 'PJM Compacta'.  It will top out at about knee high.   I like PJM rhodies because they are tough, hardy (in cold & hot), aren't fussy about just the right amount of light, have smallis green leaves that go a mahogany color in the winter, give off a slight spicey scent in the hottest part of summer, bloom early (and sometimes twice) with light purple blooms.

Here's a link to a picture.  This is not the small one:  http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/rhpjm3.htm

Second choice (which I like better) is to give a Nandina variety a try.  Again, I like versatile, evergreen plants, and the Nandinas sure fit that bill...colorful, evergreen, delicate looking but tough.  A nice little one that ,after a couple years, could fluff up and fill the space if you plant enough, is Nandina domestica 'Nana purpurea'.  There are several other compact and dwarf varieties available that could work.  Look around good nurseries.  You do not want plant Nandina domestica.  It's too tall.

Here's a link to some pics of nandina, if you're not familiar with it.  http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/nado4.htm
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/nado10.htm

Because of the location, I'd get small plants, so I could plant around and between the cherry roots.  I wouldn't want to disturb them.  Cherries (and their cousins plums) will send up shoots and shoots and shoots from injured & cut roots.  So watch it.

For what it's worth,
Mark in Portland