[WV Mountain Mama]

Don't do much gardening. We have a 2 acre wooded lot. I have been told that we have a small fortune in really tall pine trees. They are nice, thick trunks, straight and about 60 feet tall. Unfortunately, that means that we barely grow grass (my hubby mows once a month whether it needs it or not.) I plant begonias every year along the side of the house and garage. I need a good plant or tree that will grow in my planting area. It must be able to do well in shade and wet soil. I think a dogwood would do well. Any suggestions?

[Gabz]

Pine logging is big business in this area. We enjoy the pine woods on the property behind us - without any of the hassles of dealing with it!!!!

I'm not the best one to ask regarding trees/shrubs.......I don't even know the name of half of what is growing around the house :)

But I do know that we do have one dogwood, which gets a fair amount of sun most of the day, but is in an area that geenrally retains water.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Japanese Red Maples do very well in shade and mix well with a dogwood. They give some very pretty color other then green. I planted one this year, and it already has lots of new growth, so I'd say they are fairly hardy:) They have a very pretty lacy type leaf, They don't get huge, but I have seen them as tall as a house.

Becky