I wanted to share with you an on going project that I started way back in March. Basically I widened the liriope circle around a clump of trees and started adding some new plants under the tree canopy. That area really needed some renovating as you can see in the before photo. Under planting trees with plants (not ivy or grass) can have beautiful results as long as you follow some guidelines. Here are my 5 tips for planting under mature trees.
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This is an on going project because I have more hostas and daylillies to divide and plant in this area this fall. Plus I want to plant some spring blooming bulbs. If you want to save some money on landscaping projects it’s always a good idea to see what you’ve got that can be moved or divided.
5 Important Tips For Planting Under Mature Trees That You Should Know:
1. When planting under a mature tree you really need to be careful of the roots so I find it’s best to go with small plants. It’s hard looking at all the bare spots but they WILL grow and fill in!
2. Sometimes where I want to put a plant is not where I can dig a hole because of major roots. Leave any root that’s about 2 inches in diameter alone and start your planting at least a foot away from the trunk of the tree. So you need to be flexible.
3. One thing that people forget about when they plant under a tree is that you are planting in a dry shade area. Unless the wind blows the rain – it stays pretty dry under this tree canopy. Also your plants are competing with tree roots for water and nutrients so keep them watered until they acclimate.
4. Light requirements for plants is something that should always be considered. This particular area is in shade part of the day, get’s some sun part of the day and half of it gets pretty strong sun right now until my fruit trees get bigger. So light requirement is something to definitely think about. I planted hostas and some are better suited to light sun than others.
I bought one big varigated hosta (that I divided) that said partial light on the tag. I noticed that most of the others said shade. I’ve found that the Blue hostas are more tolerant of deeper shade. I think hostas are like hydrangeas. People always want to plant them in deep shade but sometimes they do better with a bit of sun!
5. It’s not a good idea to spread a deep layer of soil over tree roots as you can smother them. I did spread a very thin layer of soil before planting because we had a lot of exposed roots do to erosion from heavy rain run off. I also bought a few bags of pine bark mulch which I spread thinly knowing that in the fall I always shred the leaves and use them for mulch. Adding mulch helps to conserve moisture and adds a finishing touch.
You’ll increase your chances of success by using theses tips!
Here are some good articles that give more information about planting under trees if you’d like to read more about this subject:
It has been so hot here in Virginia, too! I really need to get motivated and clean or shaded area under our oak trees! Thanks for the inspiration!
Looks like it will be a beautiful spot in the near future. Love shaded planting. I have plenty of shade at our City House and NONE at the Country House.
You have created a very pretty garden spot that you and your husband can enjoy in the mornings.
I need to do some serious work on my pitiful flower beds, but it has just been to hot to care.
Enjoy your weekend.
Those hostas are gonna be amazing when they get going! I removed a giant viburnum bush that opened up about 15 feet of hot, sunny space! I get my plants off the clearance table at Lowe’s – sometimes they don’t make it but sometimes I get lucky. Gonna be dividing some serious sun lovers for next year to go over here.
Thank you for you dropping by my blog and leaving your sweet comment. I’m so excited about the laminate. At first I was a little concerned about what people might think…”oh, that’s not REAL wood?” – you know the type. But I have real wood that I am busting out for the laminate. I hate the stuff!! Maintenance is a nightmare and I just didn’t want to live the rest of my life in this house always freaked out about the grandkids running a toy car across it or something. My laminate has a 25 year warranty!
You changed up your blog, and it is very pretty! Wasn’t your comment thing up at the top before? Oh, I’ve probably forgotten. I see people planting underneath trees all the time, thinking it looks bear there. Then they don’t always realize those plants are competing with tree roots for water. But if you know what you’re doing and the roots aren’t deep, you should have a pretty shade garden. What’s the temps there these days? Been nearly a month of triple digits here. Some days: 115…
Brenda
I’ve been reading through your blog this evening, enjoying all the beautiful things you’ve done. You must have a boatload of energy! Wish I did, but while hubby and the kids were gone all day today, I got a lot done – yay! Hugs ~ Mary
LOL! Well normally I do have quite a bit of energy. I’ve had some health issues this summer so I haven’t done as much as I would have liked. My daughter helped me with this project.
It’s not going to take them too long to fill out…the hostas…it’s already a sweet focal point for you to enjoy watching the birds in the morning. There are so many wonderful things that can be done around our homes for very little money that will improve things. It just takes some time for the idea to percolate into our heads. I’m often first aware of it when I realize that I’m saying to myself “I don’t like this.” If I’ll ask myself why, I’m on the road.
Good point about the right way and the wrong way…my neighbors have a lovely lot of hostas under the remains of a tree. I do believe they killed the tree.
It is so pretty. What is that purple plant? I would love that color in my garden.
I found this to be very informative, Manuela, thank you for it. I have a lot of shade to contend with, and several trees, too. I have several Hostas that I want to separate and move.
The bird bath looks so pretty under the trees. It’s a beautiful area now, and you’re so right, often bloggers do give an unrealistic idea of makeovers that in reality take quite a bit of time to achieve.
I hope your weekend is going well.
hugs, cindy
Love your plants AND tips:) I live in the woods and have LOADS of trees! Have a blessed day my friend, HUGS!
Sometimes slow is the way to go because you might even come across something at a better price or maybe something you just learned about, too. I think it is looking lovely, Manuela! I always did my gardening beds over time, as well as what you do – dividing what I already had before I’d bring anything new in.
Your garden looks so lovely, I love the hostas and shade gardens.
Right now, I’m seeing that there is just no place safe to plant in my yard. The chickens keep the weeds down under every tree in my yard. The keep the garden beds pretty much cleaned out too.
Next year I’m thinking of fencing off the front yard; to keep the chickens out of the areas I want to ‘prettify’!
Pat
You have created such a lovely spot to enjoy while you sit outside! You are so right, projects don’t just happen overnight. They do take time, and so much patience! With our new yard there has been so much to move/transplant or just redo completely so I haven’t shared much of anything on the blog because it is such a so slow project.
Hope you are enjoying your weekend!!
It looks so pretty! I’m waiting until fall to plant under our big tree in the front, because it has been so dry here. We have nearly half of our front yard mulched now, due to the shade from our big live oak tree, so it be slow going to get it all planted for us, too. This is great inspiration, thanks!
Love your before and your After photos…
And I had not heard of ‘Blue Hostas’ !!
:-}
Now I have even more inspiration !!
xoxo
Now all I need are some mature trees to plant under! I would love to have a corner like that, I am sure yours will fill out beautifully.
Your new panting area looks nice and I’m sure will look even better as time goes by. You gave some good advice about planting under trees. We had several large maples that nothing would grow under, even grass, so we finally had them taken out. Now I can plant in those areas and it all looks much better.
Your garden/yard is always a lovely inspiration to me Manuela! Oh, but do I know the bane of trying to find plants that would thrive/survive under a mature tree! At our old house we had a mature Japanese Pine in our front yard. While Mike had completely replaced the lawn it, of course, refused to grow in the shade of our beautiful pine! We tried all manner of planting and ground cover when, finally, after seeing photos of miniature ivy growing under mature trees in an old “Victoria” magazine) we decided to plant the ivy. I must say it worked beautifully and,s surprisingly, did not become invasive at all (most likely due to my husband’s diligence ;). To top that off, I had my own supply of ivy to snip and add to flower and herb arrangements…buffet tables…as greenery atop mirrors and paintings during the holiday season and the like! Sorry to ramble, but your post brought up some happy memories.
Sending good thoughts and love!
Warmly,
Tracey
x0x
P.S. Coffee on the deck with that view is most definitely a frugal luxury!!!
Thank you Tracey!
Ivy is a lovely idea except around here it becomes a good place for the snakes to hide!!
Lovely. I have two areas under large trees that need to be planted. Our climates are very similar so I may have to copy you!
Really pretty Manuela. It looks so much better a bit bigger and with the mulch. I have come to prefer a garden where there is plenty of space between the plantings, it lets the plants shine!
Hi Manuela,
Your under tree plantings will be beautiful..it looks lovely now and when it matures it will be awesome.
Barb from Australia
Great info. I’ve been wanting to plant under my two large trees out in our front yard. Never knew there were “rules” so your post and website is always so helpful. Thanks for sharing! 🙂