Adding plants is a good way to liven up areas under trees. However, gardeners should keep in mind that finding plants suitable for the shade conditions present under a tree can be a challenge. In addition, shrubs, flowers and other ground cover planted under trees must compete with their larger companions for valuable nutrients and water. However, with some careful thought and ingenuity, planting under trees can be a success.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Basics of Planting
Step 1. Choose plants that thrive in the shade
The area under large, adult trees can be planted with flowers from perennials and annuals to liven up otherwise dull and often bare areas of land. Plants need to be chosen carefully, however, as not all annuals and perennials can grow in that area. You should choose plants that thrive in shade and root shallowly.
- Hostas (Hosta spp.) Are ideal for these areas. Their large leaves can be variegated or with various shades of blue and green, and the flowers are usually purple or white. They are generally hardy, although this depends on the cultivars and height range which can range from ten centimeters to 1.50 meters.
- Impatiens (Impatiens spp.) Are annual blooms that are particularly suitable for growing under a tree. They come in a huge variety of colors and sizes and bloom profusely from spring until the first frost.
- Other plants that can be grown under trees include cyclamen, bluebells, foam flower or spittoon, spleen, asarum or Canadian wild ginger, ferns, and periwinkles. Undergrowth areas with tall canopies could be a good place for bleeding hearts (dicentra) and PJM rhododendrons.
Step 2. Prepare the soil around the tree
It is a good idea to put several centimeters of compost, grass clippings and / or compost of leaves around the tree in question, before adding other plants. This is especially true for gardeners who are trying to create tree cover under conifer, because needles that fall into the soil tend to make it too acidic for other plants to survive.
- Spread a 5cm layer of compost, peat moss, aged cow manure or a 50% combination of good quality potting soil and moss, cow manure or compost over the area under the tree.
- Work on the 10 cm to the surface of the soil with a shovel. Be very careful to avoid digging too deep and damaging the tree's roots. Smooth out loose, amended soil with a rake on the ground.
Step 3. Avoid root problems by adding a thick layer of compost to the soil
Using a consistent layer of compost and the smallest possible versions of the new plants will also help prevent tree root problems.
- Choosing small plants will limit the nuisance to the soil needed to cover their roots.
- Compost helps because it forms a soil-like layer in which the plants can be accommodated easily, so gardeners don't have to dig up the original soil.
Step 4. Give your plants plenty of space
Plant perennials or annuals in the spring after the last frost. Dig planting holes with a hand shovel to avoid damaging the tree roots. The holes must be deep enough for the roots of the perennial or annual plant.
- Where the largest surface roots of the tree grow, place the plants about ten centimeters from the roots. Make sure you give the plants the necessary space, taking into account their adult size.
- For example, if a particular host will occupy a 60 cm space as an adult, plant the other hostas leaving this space free, plus some additional space to keep them out of contact once they are developed.
Step 5. Cover the soil with mulch
Spread organic mulch over the soil 5cm deep around the plants, but keep away from the tree bark. There should be a space of at least 5-7cm between the tree and the mulch to protect the tree from rot and disease.
Step 6. Keep the soil moist
Water the plants often and sufficiently to prevent the soil from drying out completely. Since they are planted under a tree, they will need to be watered more often than if they were planted in the garden away from the tree. Trees absorb huge amounts of water and would easily win in competition with smaller plants.
Step 7. Do not build raised beds under the tree
Avoid building a raised bed around a tree. Adding as little as 12-13cm of soil above the roots and against its bark commonly causes severe damage to a tree, which becomes noticeable only after a few years.
- The addition of soil reduces the oxygen levels around the tree's root system, and the roots need oxygen to stay healthy. Roots often grow in a raised bed in search of oxygen, questioning why they built it in the first place.
- The additional soil will also favor rot in the bark of the tree or the development of fungal and bacterial infections.
Step 8. Do not use power tools when planting under a tree
When planting under a tree, gardeners should not use power tools because doing so could damage the roots and the tree structure itself.
Part 2 of 2: Designing the Garden
Step 1. Keep the type of plants and color in mind when designing your garden
To create the undergrowth, gardeners should choose a few types of plants and use them in large quantities for a well-structured project.
- Likewise, selecting a color scheme of two or three complementary shades is the best way to get good results. Both of these factors will help the undergrowth not be an eyesore.
- However, gardeners should keep in mind that even the best designs will take a few years for everything to harmonize and make overall sense.
Step 2. Think about how plants would naturally grow to determine where to place them
It is recommended that gardeners organize their plants in sinuous, floating lines, similar to how they appear in nature.
The undergrowth surrounding the tree and the bare spots near the tree trunk do not look absolutely natural, so they should be avoided
Step 3. Consider planting self-multiplying plants
Though they only last for a short period of time, bulb plants like daffodils, tulips, snowdrops and crocuses look great under trees. Furthermore, in suitable areas, these plants will self-multiply and this helps to fill in the bare spots.
Step 4. Try to choose plants with different types of foliage
Most plants that require shade tend to be different shades of green, and even flowers that live the longest won't bloom forever. Therefore, it is a good idea to enhance the contrast in an undergrowth by adding plants that have different types of foliage.
Step 5. It is advisable to create a harmonious design throughout the garden
Gardeners who have created an effective project should feel encouraged to use it on other trees in their garden, so that the whole property blends together and is attractive.
- This is also a good way to save money if the undergrowth requires splitting from time to time.
- It's simple to take irrelevant materials from under one tree and transfer them under another, until the whole garden fills up at no extra cost.
