What to plant under a tree?

Under deciduous trees with light foliage

Trees with light, deciduous foliage such as birch, rowan, or certain fruit trees tend to cause the least issues. If the tree’s canopy isn’t too wide-spreading, the base of the tree receives dappled light, which still allows for the growth of a beautiful range of small perennial plants and ground covers, as well as small bulbous plants that flower in spring before the leaves emerge.

The main challenge remains root competition from the tree, as tree roots are far more efficient at drawing water from deep underground than the roots of herbaceous plants!

We recommend experimenting and combining these different plants:

Galium odoratum

A low-growing perennial carpeted in spring with small, rounded ivory-white flowers.

• Flowering time May to July
• Height at maturity 20 cm

See the product sheet

Symphytum grandiflorum - Comfrey

A lovely ground-covering perennial with creamy-white bell-shaped flowers that brighten up shady and sunny borders in spring.

• Flowering time June, July
• Height at maturity 30 cm

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Vinca minor Argenteovariegata

A spreading perennial that blooms abundantly in spring and weaves effortlessly between tree roots, unfazed by competition.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 10 cm

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Geranium macrorrhizum Spessart

This hardy geranium forms a lush carpet adorned with soft pink-white flowers.

• Flowering time June, July
• Height at maturity 30 cm

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Pachysandra terminalis - Japanese Spurge

This evergreen ground cover with glossy green leaves boasts excellent hardiness. It easily fills even the smallest nooks without becoming invasive.

• Flowering time July
• Height at maturity 30 cm

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Ajuga reptans

This charming creeping perennial spreads quickly and easily, adorned in spring with pretty blue flowers.

• Flowering time May to August
• Height at maturity 15 cm

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Brunnera macrophylla - Siberian Bugloss

Vigorous and dense, this perennial forms a thick carpet from which delicate little blue flowers emerge in May–June.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 45 cm

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Pulmonaria Majesty - Lungwort

A recent variety with everything to please: luminous silver foliage and charming small pink flowers that fade to blue.

• Flowering time April, May
• Height at maturity 35 cm

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Phyllitis scolopendrium

Evergreen and distinctive, this fern stands out with its undivided fronds.

• Height at maturity 45 cm

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In summer, you can also plant seasonal shade-loving plants such as impatiens and tuberous begonias.

Under deciduous trees with dense foliage

Trees with dense foliage, deciduous varieties like lime, ash, and field maple, cast more substantial shade in summer. However, in late winter and early spring, small early-flowering bulbs can take advantage of the light filtering through the still-bare branches. You can therefore plant small bulbs at the base of these trees, such as:

Galanthus nivalis

A charming little bulb with delicate bell-shaped flowers emerging as early as late January, naturalising easily.

• Flowering time February to April
• Height at maturity 20 cm

See the product sheet

Hyacinthoides non-scripta

This small, perennial bulbous plant produces lovely blue flowers in April-May.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 35 cm

See the product sheet

Anemone nemorosa

Wood anemone carpets the ground with its dainty white flowers. It spreads slowly but will form a beautiful mat over time.

• Flowering time April, May
• Height at maturity 15 cm

See the product sheet

These small bulbs pair well with shade-tolerant, drought-resistant ground cover perennials. You can expand your planting palette with many robust plants, including:

Lamium galeobdolon Florentinum - Yellow Deadnettle

Spreading and stoloniferous, this ground cover boasts evergreen variegated foliage and bright yellow flowers in early summer.

• Flowering time July, August
• Height at maturity 25 cm

See the product sheet

Vinca minor Gertrude Jekyll

Hardy and reliable, this lesser periwinkle is one of the best evergreen ground covers, quickly forming a mat studded with starry spring flowers.

• Flowering time April to June
• Height at maturity 10 cm

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Waldsteinia ternata

Like a strawberry plant, this perennial spreads rapidly. Its foliage stays under 15cm tall, adorned with lemon-yellow flowers in May-June.

• Flowering time May to July
• Height at maturity 15 cm

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Aegopodium podagraria Variegata

Bright and highly effective for difficult shady spots, this vigorous ground cover may become invasive, so it's best suited to larger areas.

• Flowering time July to October
• Height at maturity 60 cm

See the product sheet

To this list, we should also add ivy, of course, along with all other shade-tolerant, drought-resistant perennial ground covers.

Under evergreen trees and conifers

Evergreen trees and conifers are the most challenging case: their foliage is present all year round, and their root systems are often both deep and shallow… Nevertheless, by carefully following the planting steps, you should still be able to plant them successfully:

Pink Naples Cyclamen

Hardy and fragrant, this cyclamen is a godsend for brightening up areas where nothing else grows!

• Flowering time September to November
• Height at maturity 15 cm

See the product sheet

Vinca minor White Power

This hardy, low-maintenance cultivar forms a dense carpet. Highly floriferous, it often blooms twice a year: in spring and autumn.

• Flowering time March to October
• Height at maturity 15 cm

See the product sheet

Hedera helix Green Ripple - Common Ivy

Non-invasive yet highly effective, this ivy also charms with the decorative appeal of its deeply veined, bright green leaves.

• Flowering time October, November
• Height at maturity 4 m

See the product sheet

A golden rule: proper planting is key!

When planting at the base of trees, of course you shouldn’t imagine uprooting the tree’s surface roots to install perennials and ground cover plants!

To plant successfully at the base of trees, you should:

1. plant at the right time: in spring (March to May) or at the end of the season, in September or October. In regions with cold, wet winters, prefer spring planting for better establishment!
2. identify gaps between large roots,
3. create small planting hollows using a hand fork or a small trowel, and enrich the soil well (good garden soil, compost) to give the plants the best possible chance of thriving,
4. monitor watering needs closely until the plants are fully established.

Little summer boosts

To give yourself the best chance, during the first few summers, remember to:

• water occasionally the ground cover plants during prolonged dry spells,
• with secateurs or shears, don’t hesitate to cut back clumps that dry out or look unhealthy, such as lungworts affected by powdery mildew. Follow up with one or two thorough waterings, and they will produce fresh, healthy foliage,
• prevent weeds from taking hold: apply mulch or hoe regularly between plants to help rainwater or irrigation penetrate the soil.

Little tips that can help

There are various ways to improve planting conditions beneath trees:

1. Let in light: depending on the tree in question, it is sometimes possible to remove the lowest branches to clear the lower part of the trunk, or to carry out thinning pruning on the entire tree, which often allows a little more light to reach the base of the tree and helps ground cover plants thrive. Use secateurs or a lopper for this.
2. Provide quality substrate for plants: when planting between the surface roots of a tree, dig as large a planting hole as possible (you’ll quickly hit limits!) and generously enrich the soil with well-rotted compost and organic fertiliser to encourage successful establishment.
3. Plant ground covers like periwinkle or dead nettle at a distance from the trunk and let the stems spread gradually in all directions.
4. Plant ground covers in early autumn rather than spring: autumn moisture will help them establish, and they’ll be better equipped to withstand their first dry summer. However, plan to water during dry spells for at least the first two summers after planting.
5. Each spring, tidy up clumps of ground cover and apply a thick, nutritious mulch, made from wood chips, compost, or well-rotted leaf mould, which will add bulk and organic matter to the shallow roots of these small plants.

The Tough Cases: Last Resorts

In the most challenging cases, such as with a large tree casting dense shade at its base where hardly any plant can compete with its roots, you can simply spread an organic or pebble mulch rather than leaving the soil bare. You won’t have to worry much about weeding, as weeds won’t establish any better than other plants!

Another strategy is to plant ivy at a distance from the trunk and guide the stems as ground cover around the base of the tree, dressing it with evergreen foliage that you’ll only need to trim when it exceeds the allotted space.

Finally, you can also place temporary potted plants at the foot of the tree, choosing shade-loving varieties such as hostas, ferns, or tuberous begonias, ensuring you water them regularly!