If you’re not sure which plants are best for your area around trees, consider these perennials. These low-maintenance plants tolerate dappled shade and look great in a woodland or cottage garden. Rhododendrons tolerate shade, and Yarrow grows well in full sun. Abelia and Trillium are low-maintenance groundcovers. In addition to perennials, many shrubs and grasses are also good options.
Yarrow thrives in full sun
Yarrow is an attractive perennial that grows well around trees. Its fragrant flowers grow on compact stems and dense heads. Its fern-like foliage is deer-resistant. Its flowers attract a variety of pollinators and are popular with butterflies and bees. Yarrow is also deer-resistant, making it a great choice for shade gardens. If your tree’s shade is limiting your landscaping options, try planting yarrow near it.
The best location for yarrow is full sun and a soil that is not too fertile. It can thrive in low-fertility soil but won’t tolerate too much moisture. Plant the seeds in early spring about two feet apart and mulch them well. Yarrow will bloom in 120 days. If you have trouble with aphids, you can treat them with neem oil or organic insecticidal soap. In addition, you can try squishing them to reduce their population.
Although yarrow does best in full sunlight, it will tolerate light shade if planted near a tree. However, if it receives too much shade, it will become weak and may require staking. It can withstand cold temperatures of -13°F but will need a shady spot if the soil is too wet. It can survive a drought for up to four months. Although yarrow is drought-tolerant once established, it needs plenty of sun to thrive in your garden.
Rhododendrons tolerate shade
Although rhododendrons thrive in partial shade, they’re also happy to grow in dappled shade, too. A tree that produces large, spiky leaves will compete with the rhododendron for moisture and sunlight. It’s best to keep the shade between the leaves and the rhododendron itself, and to provide ample moisture for the plants.
In addition to their attractive flowers, rhododendrons also tolerate shady areas. Some varieties are cold-hardy, and can be planted in full sun. Others require a little shade to survive. The best location for your rhododendrons is on the south side of a house with a south-facing window. Make sure you plant the plant in the shade as little as possible to prevent the growth of weeds.
Planting rhododendrons in the shade around a tree is ideal if the shade comes from a nearby tree. They are drought-tolerant, and will bloom in a relatively short period of time even in partial shade. Rhododendrons thrive in the shade of other trees, but can be a good choice for small gardens, too. If you’re planting rhododendrons in a shady area, consider relocating them to a location with better drainage.
Abelia is a low-maintenance groundcover
Growing abelia is relatively easy. Abelias prefer slightly acidic, moderately moist, well-drained soil. Abelias require only minimal pruning, but significant pruning should be avoided mid to late-winter as the new growth is prone to damage from freezing temperatures. However, you can prune abelia as needed to maintain their shape. Most varieties have little to no problems, except for occasional reblooming or flopping stems. Abelias are relatively pest and deer-resistant, and can be cut back to shape if needed.
A good choice for low-maintenance groundcover around trees is abelia. The shrub grows to approximately eight inches high and has a wide spreading habit. It produces small tubular flowers that form clusters on the stems. The flowers of the abelia plant are typically fragrant and come in shades of white, pink, or yellow. The blooms are also attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.
Trillium is a low-maintenance groundcover
Trilliums are native to North America and Asia. Most species grow in Eastern forests, but some originate in Korea and Japan. Only a few species are found in Europe. Native to a wide range of soil types and climates, trilliums are a low-maintenance groundcover around trees. If you’re unsure about the best species to plant, try combining them with tulips, azaleas, and Siberian squills.
For optimal growth, trilliums need a shady setting with deep-rooted trees. Some species are even adapted to grow in alpine or rock gardens. They need a moist soil and regular watering. You can also eat the leaves if you’re adventurous! Despite being a low-maintenance groundcover for around trees, they’re sometimes eaten by deer.
The Great White trillium is one of the most common types of trillium. This variety thrives in USDA zones four through seven and produces white blossoms. In addition to the Great White trillium, there’s also the Yellow Trillium, which features yellow flowers and is commonly grown around redwoods. The latter is also referred to as the prairie trillium.
Vinca minor is a low-maintenance groundcover
The low-maintenance vine minor is a great choice for areas around trees. Its trailing stems and low-growing mounds fill in the space, and it is suitable for a variety of soil conditions. Its flowers are phlox-like and it is tolerant of a wide range of light and water conditions. Though it is low-maintenance, vinca minor has some important uses. One of these uses is its ability to keep soil in place.
The plant is hardy up to Zone 4 and grows as far north as Canada. Its foliage turns dark green with age, and it blooms in spring. The vine is best planted in spring, but it will bloom all season. It can survive in poor soil and can tolerate full sunlight. It also tolerates shade and has a deep, prickly root system that makes it an excellent weed-control plant on steep banks.
Another plant that can provide low-maintenance coverage is the blue coneflower. This beautiful plant has a delightful fragrance and can be planted under trees, along paths, and in garden beds. It’s hardy and requires little maintenance, making it an excellent choice for areas around trees. And the blue coneflower can grow anywhere! The flowers of this shrub will give any area around your trees a charming touch.
Cranesbill is a low-maintenance groundcover
A perennial geranium, cranesbill is an excellent low-maintenance groundcover plant for surrounding trees and shrubs. Despite its name, cranesbill is not the same as common garden geranium. Its foliage is scented and its flowers are bright pink. This deer and rabbit-resistant plant grows quickly and spreads easily. Another low-maintenance groundcover plant is foamflower, which grows tall with upright spikes of flowers. Its fronds are feather-like and add textural interest. The plant is hardy and is best grown in partial shade or full sun.
Although this plant is invasive in moist soil, it is a great low-maintenance groundcover for areas with a dry climate. It grows quickly and forms large colonies in landscapes. It blooms in late spring to early summer and seeds easily. Its foliage is bright red in the fall, which makes it the perfect groundcover plant to grow around trees.
Japanese spurge
Considering which plants are best for planting around trees? If you’re surrounded by a lot of trees, the Japanese spurge might be a good option. It thrives in areas with moderately shaded conditions and can take a beating. As a ground cover, pachysandra does well in zones four and up. Plant it in the early spring or fall, ideally in partial shade. The soil should be neutral to slightly acidic. It is hardy in zones four through seven.
This evergreen shrub can grow up to 1.5 feet tall and 18 inches wide. It produces white flower spikes in early spring, and has glossy, 4-inch-long leaves. The foliage is very attractive, and it spreads by underground runners. It’s a great plant for shaded areas, and it’s a great choice for mature shade trees. But make sure you choose a variety that tolerates sun and doesn’t spread too quickly.
Bluebells
One of the best flowers for gardens is the bluebell, but you should keep in mind that they will eventually outgrow their pots. Here are signs that your bluebell has outgrown its pot: its roots are growing too much; the soil no longer absorbs moisture; the leaves turn yellow; the plant dies without apparent cause; and it is not getting the light or moisture it needs to grow. To prevent these problems, it is important to regularly prune your bluebell.
To grow bluebells in your garden, start the seeds in late summer. You can sprinkle the seeds in the soil directly. Alternatively, you can germinate them in small containers. Bluebells need a moist and well-drained soil, but they can tolerate a range of soil types. However, they require slightly alkaline to acidic soil conditions. Bluebells are not suited to clay soil, so you will need to amend your soil before planting. It can take up to two years for your bluebells to flower.
