Black walnut roots produce juglone, which is toxic to many plants. And by toxic, I mean shrivel-up-and-die-within-a-week toxic. But many plants shrug off the silent threats of juglone and even shine in its company, making for the possibility of cooperation and love under the black walnut.

One of these possibilities is known as a black walnut guild—edible plants that work with the juglone. I have slowly been adding plants to my guild, starting this year. This spring included elderberries and black raspberries, and I am planning on a fall planting of currants and mulberries. My guild will offer up berries that will become syrups and preserves, turning what could have become a soured landscaping relationship into something sweet.

Many ornamental plants will also withstand juglone. I have had luck with coreopsis, irises (bearded and Siberian), daylilies, salvia, liatris, leadwort, tulips and daffodils. Annuals such as nasturtiums, zinnias, sunflowers and cosmos also do just fine. Shrubs such as ‘Knock Out’ roses, Virginia sweetspire and glossy abelia are thriving. This year, I am adding bee balm, echinacea, hollyhocks and ‘Heavenly Blue’ morning glories, knowing that recent research has cleared them for black walnut plantings.

Plants that are limping along are blue wild indigo, butterfly bushes and yarrow. Also, a small juneberry (another edible with berries like blueberries) is making some very slow, somewhat worrisome headway. A spirea that I planted last spring didn’t last a week. Russian sage plants were ‘meh’ under the walnut and had to be moved. You plant, you learn. But doing a little research ahead of time will save you money and heartache.