Apple trees and currant bushes?

[prairiegarden]

Will these live together happilly? I have one low corner crying out for a tree but it frequently floods for a couple of weeks in the spring and the best place for the tree would be next to a mature black currant on slightly higher ground. I can't seem to find any information about possible shared pests or diseases.  Also, any suggestions about what to put in the low corner? I'd thought of elderberries but have learned that's likely not a good idea, so planted them elsewhere.  Clay soil, productive but eroded there.

[mskrieger]

I haven't heard anything bad about apples and currants together. It's currants and white pine that can have issues. Go ahead and see, should be fine!

Your wet, low corner sounds intriguing. Native wetland species?

[prairiegarden]

I don't think it's wet enough for a wetland plant. It's just badly eroded and we have a high water table so water parks there in the spring until the spring runoff is over. Although some springs that's early other times it can be a couple of months so don't want to risk a tree. Someone just posted rooted lilac cuttings on the local buy & sell for $1 a root and they look healthy in the photo so may just go for those, will plant them round the corner. They are so cheerful and pretty in the spring, basically uncomplaining, and they will grow high/thick enough to create some privacy... just found out the flowers are edible! I wonder if candied lilac flowers would be interesting to chefs?! Wedding cakes?

Thanks for the info on the currants. The apple tree just found its home there and hopefully they become good buddies..

[mskrieger]

Be careful with the lilacs. They need good drainage. They do fabulously in arid/sandy areas. You can plant them near rivers/streams/soggy bottoms, but you need to plant them a foot or two above the level of wetness, if that makes sense.

[jocundi]

Hmmm... I am in an arid/sandy area and have some lilac bushes that must have grown from seed around 7 years ago. Not doing fabulously, not blooming. Any suggestions?

[mskrieger]

I don't have any special expertise with lilacs (mine are in an Extremely Neglected hedgerow, and bloom every year with no help from me, even while an invasive vine engulfs them) but here's what the U of Maine extension service has to say about: extension.umaine.edu/piscataquis/programs/home-gardening/basicgarden/lilacs/