5 Best Plants for Under Trees

September 15, 2020

Trees can be a blessing or a curse when it comes to the landscaping around your home. If your lot has trees and you plan on keeping them, adding small garden plots around their trunks can upgrade and enhance your landscaping. Here are a few of the best plants for under trees:

1. Autumn Fern

The Autumn Fern, also known as dryopteris erythrosora, is a great plant for under trees. Not only does this fern look great, but it is also a hardy plant. It thrives both in deep shade and partial sunlight, which makes it a good fit for growing under trees.

As tough woodlands plants, Autumn Ferns can also withstand dry conditions. On top of that, they can survive the first hard frosts and freezes of the season once their fronds are a mature green. This means they can help enhance your landscaping year-round and are a good fit for novice gardeners or people looking for a low-maintenance plant.

2. Hosta

Hosta, also known as a plantain lily, is another one of the best plants for under trees. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, so it’s easy to find some options that fit in with the rest of your landscaping.

The foliage is interesting and you also get the benefit of a midsummer bloom to brighten your yard further. On top of that, this plant is known to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, which makes it an eco-friendly addition to your yard.

3. Coral Bells

Coral Bells, which are also known as Heuchera ‘Tiramisu’, are another great option for under trees. They are low, mounding perennials with leaves that can come in a variety of colors that offer foliage spring through fall and white flowers in the summer.

Whether you want purple, orange, chartreuse, bronze, etc., there is a Coral Bells plant for you. If the base of the tree will be in deep shade, you likely want to avoid the deep purple or bronze plants. Although these plants grow well in these conditions, those two colors are likely to blend in with the shade and won’t stand out.

4. Rheinland Astilbe

Rheinland Astilbe is a great option to add some color to shady garden areas, which makes it one of the best plants for under trees. They grow approximately 2-foot flower spikes in the spring and early summer.

Plus, there is a variety of bloom colors available. Astilbe is available in pink, red, white, or purple. The bright blooms among light green leaves are sure to stand out in the shady area under trees.

5. White Trillium

White Trillium, also known as trillium grandiflorum, is another great option for shady garden areas and under trees. These beautiful woodland flowers have bright green leaves and large white blooms that transition to pink as they mature. They thrive in shady areas and bloom in early spring.

Adding some plants under trees is a great way to improve your landscaping and upgrade your home’s exterior! These are just a few of the best plants for under trees. The best plant options for you may vary depending on where you live, whether you have pets, if you have children, any allergies you have, etc.

But, once you get the right mix, you can use spring planting tips to get started, get the benefits that come from tending a garden, and have landscaping that looks great.