What type of bushes are good in rough soil?

Question

I am thinking of planting some bushes by my garage but the land is rough and filled with rocks. I know I could up root the rocks and lay down some miracle grow but I thought I would ask if there was a specific plant that would live in terrible conditions.

Answer 1

First you need to determine the actual soil characteristics. Rough and rocks usually will not preclude plants so much as the kind of soil, clay, sand, or silt. Also how much light does this area get.
For sandy soil try; Adan's needle Yucca smalliana or Y. fillamentosa, Grapes ( either for fruit or colored leaves) Vitis purpurea, Fragrant Sumac, Rhus aromatic, trumpet vine Campsis radican on a trellis, Japanese barberry Berberis thunbergii, Highbush blueberry vacinium corymbosum, Buddleia davidii, Mock Orange Philadelphus coronarius, very fragrant flowers, Spiraea japonica, Weigela florida.

For clay try; Burning bush Euonymus alatus, Red osier dogwood Cornus sericea, Witch hazel Hamamelis virginiana, very fragrant and blooms Feb, Winterberry Ilex verticillata, Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius, Rugosa rose.

You can do a visual soil survey by digging a small hole. First look at the hole and take some soil in hand. Check your soil's texture by picking up a handful and squeeze gently: If it feels sticky and stays in a tight mass, your soil is likely too high in clay. If it feels harsh or gritty and won't hold any shape or crumbles it is likely too high in sand. If it feels smooth or floury and won't hold any shape, it's likely too high in silt. If it molds into your hand yet crumbles apart when squeezed, it has the perfect texture. It is loam.
If it formed a sticky ball try to squeeze it upward to form a ribbon. Measure the length of the ribbon. Now wet the soil in your palm til muddy. Rub the soil against your palm with your other fingertips. Is it smooth, gritty or both?

1 inch gritty ribbon is sandy loam
1 inch smooth ribbon is silty loam
1 inch both is loam

1-2 inch gritty ribbon is sandy clay loam
1-2 inch smooth ribbon is silty clay loam
1-2 inch both is clay loam

GT 2 inch gritty ribbon is sandy clay
GT 2 inch smooth ribbon is silty clay
GT 2 inch both is clay

Black color indicates high organic matter; gray indicates medium organic matter. Red, tan or blue color indicates little organic matter and high clay. Blue color indicates that there is no oxygen in the clay. Therefore, no roots will grow in blue clay. Normally, the organic matter is mainly in the topsoil. Forest soils have a one to four inch thick layer of dark organic matter on top of mineral soil.

Answer 2

forsythia has never failed me in rough conditions. it always takes. I do give them some feedings but that is usually it... apart from normal pruning...
really pretty yellow flowers in spring. chinese bell plant is another name for it if I remember correctly...
Also Lonicera Nitida will almost always grow well in rough conditions. it depends if there's sun or shadow. the lonicera is stronger than the forsythia if it comes to shade. hope this helps