Planting under trees is a particular challenge. For many plants, trees are strong root competition, making underplanting impossible. But there are types that are perfect for this.
In a nutshell
- not every plant suitable for underplanting trees
- most important factor, the root system of the trees
- A distinction is made between shallow, deep and heart roots
- Underplanting of shallow roots most difficult
Among shallow roots
The roots of flat-rooted plants run in a dish shape just below the surface of the earth, which makes planting under trees difficult. A thick layer of topsoil on the tree disc helps to plant even soil that is heavily rooted.
Balkan cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum)
- drought tolerant shade perennial
- plant close to the trunk
- varied foliage
- Clusters of purple, red, white or pink flowers in May-June
Bergenia (Bergenia)
- persistent, herbaceous, approx. 30 cm
- at the edge of the root disk
- great foliage with autumn colors
- large showy inflorescences in spring
Squill (Scilla sibirica)
- between 10 and 20 cm
- tend to go wild
- Flowering period: February-April
- blue, cup-shaped racemes
- sunny and partially shaded areas
Brown cranesbill (Geranium phaeum)
- Upright perennial, 50-75 cm high
- dry, partially shaded locations
- on the north side of the tree disc
- Main flowering: May-July
- small blackish-red flowers
Common ivy (Hedera helix)
- at the edge of large trees
- spreads towards the trunk
- Settlement also on rooted soil
- different leaf colors
monkshood (aconite)
- clumpy perennial, erect, leafy flower stalks
- Growth height 90-100 cm
- purple-blue flowers from July-August
- semi-shady to shady place
Tip: The monkshood is highly poisonous and one of the most poisonous plants in Europe.
Elf Flower (Epimedium)
- carpet-forming ground cover, 15-30 cm
- suitable for all tree discs
- even under the expansive treetops
- green, heart-shaped foliage, golden yellow in autumn
- April-May white, pink, red, yellow or purple flowers
ferns
Stag's tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium)
- also under pronounced shallow roots
- especially good under apple tree and conifers
- partial shade to full shade
- Height of growth 30 to 80 cm
- varied leaf fronds in shape, color and size
Funkie (Hosta)
White-edged Grey-leaf Funkie 'Francee' (Hosta x fortunei)
- Ornamental foliage plants, 60-100 cm
- small shady tree discs, outer edge area
- Water the root area of the hosta regularly
- June-August white to lilac bell-shaped flowers
Golden Strawberry/Waldsteinie (Waldsteinia geoides)
- Robust, drought-tolerant shade perennial
- Ground cover without stolons
- Growth height 15-30 cm
- planting close to the trunk
- yellow flowers in April/May
Great masterwort (Astrantia major)
- bushy, clumpy, upright flower stalks, 40-50 cm
- white to pink flowers from June-August
- light moist locations
- at the outer edge of the root disk
Japanese gold ribbon grass (Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola')
- Shade grass for the winter garden
- Growth height of 20-40 cm
- Planting in semi-shade
- yellow-green foliage, reddish shoots and autumn colour
- August to October, panicle-like flowers
Caucasus forget-me-not (Brunnera macrophylla)
Large-leaved Caucasus forget-me-not 'Jack Frost' (Brunnera macrophylla)
- broad bushy, basal clumps of leaves
- Growth height 30-50 cm
- loose blue inflorescences
- blooms from April-May
- slightly sunny to shady areas
Lesser periwinkle (Vinca minor)
- ground covering perennial, 10-30 cm
- shady to sunny areas
- under linden trees, in the penumbra of conifers
- April-May, light blue to violet, rarely white flowers
- compost in the planting hole before planting
Crawling Bugle (Ajuga reptans)
- Ground cover, fast spreading, up to 20 cm
- April-June long, dark purple inflorescences
- sunny to partially shaded areas
- very good under birches
Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis)
- Ground cover with purple or pink flowers, 25-30 cm
- blooms before the trees sprout
- Penumbra and light shade
- perfect for underplanting deciduous trees
- around the tree optimally
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)
- runner-forming, 15-30 cm
- in the shade of trees B. cherry trees
- blooms in May, depending on the weather
- white, bell-shaped flower clusters
Tip: Lily of the valley is poisonous, as is the sap. Its leaves can easily be confused with those of wild garlic. Nevertheless, it is well suited for planting under trees.
Clove Root (Geum coccineum)
- upright, rhizome-forming, 20-30 cm
- Underplanting of larger tree discs
- outer edge of the tree disc
- May-July, orange-red cupped flowers
Purple Bells (Heuchera)
- bushy, cushion-forming, 20-50 cm
- Underplanting small sunny tree disks
- decorative, colorful foliage
- May to August, white to pink flower spikes
Radiated Anemone (Anemone blanda)
- loosely bred, upright flower stalks, 5-15 cm
- Flowering: March to April
- white, pink or deep blue ray flowers
- good under deciduous trees
White wood aster (Eurybia divaricata)
Source: R.A. Nonenmacher, Eurybia divaricata SCA-04316, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- most shade-tolerant aster species, 40-60 cm
- bushy, short runners, moderate urge to train
- blooms from July-September
- white cup-like flowers
Among heart roots
Heart roots are a hybrid of deep and shallow roots and are much easier to plant under. They align their root system with the soil and tend to grow deeper in dry locations and broader in damp locations.
Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris)
- herbaceous, perennial, 30-60 cm
- unusual flower shape, conspicuous spur
- blooms from May-June
- Underplanting small sunny tree disks
Alpine currant (Ribes alpinum)
- tolerates shade, compact, upright shoots
- Growth height 100-200 cm
- yellow-green, racemose flowers from April-May
- Underplanting of deciduous trees z. B. Oak trees
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum)
Large nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
- herbaceous, up to 250 cm long shoots
- good under fruit or apple trees
- Leaves and flowers edible
- Flowering and harvest May-October
- red, yellow, or orange funnel-shaped flowers
Tip: Nasturtium under the apple tree can help against the apple leaf sucker.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- Subshrub, up to 100 cm
- violet flowers with an intense fragrance
- suitable for underplanting the service pear
- on sunny part of tree disc
- Improve planting area with sand
Tip: Other drought-tolerant herbs are also suitable for planting under trees.
Mahonia (Mahonia aquifolium)
- shrubby, compact, 80-120 cm
- can withstand root pressure well
- good as underplanting of service pear
- in shady areas
- golden yellow, racemose flowers from April-May
Spindle shrub (Euonymus)
Japanese Spindle 'Green Spire' (Euonymus japonicus)
- ground-covering small shrub or climbing plant
- expansive, upright, cushion-forming
- 20 cm high, shoots up to 500 cm long
- well under book
- white to greenish-yellow flowers from June-July
wood aster (Aster divaricatus)
- delicate white forest aster
- quickly forms larger stocks
- partially shaded to shaded areas
- August to October, small star-shaped flowers
Among deep rooters
Deep roots root deep into the depths, the area of the tree pit remains mostly open. There is no root competition for other plants, which allows for diverse planting under trees.
Balkan cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum)
- Drought tolerant, cushion-forming perennial
- planting close to the trunk
- in partial shade or shade
- Growth height 25-35 cm
- June-July umbel-shaped soft pink flowers
Floribunda 'Bonica (R) 82'®
- Lush growth, flowers often, 60-80 cm
- large double pink flowers
- blooms from June-September
- Can be planted well under fir trees
- Sun to semi-shade
Blackberries (Rubus sect. Rubus)
- perennial herbaceous, hardy shrubs
- Flowering: May-August
- Fruit ripening: August to September
- under linden, larch or fruit trees
- at some distance from the trunk
Fingerbush (Potentilla fruticosa)
- expansive, bushy, upright
- Small shrub, 50 to 130 cm
- long flowering period from June to October
- pretty yellow or white flowers
- sunny areas under firs
Spring peas (Lathyrus vernus)
- bushy, upright, clumpy, 15-30 cm
- blooms from April-May
- violet-blue, rarely white or pink flowers
- in the light-rich marginal area under deciduous trees
Spotted deadnettle (Lamium maculatum)
- creeping, runner-forming, about 25 cm
- decorative green-white, heart-shaped leaves
- purple flowers from June
- on large shady tree discs
Hazel root (Asarum europaeum)
- creeping, flat, rhizome-forming, 3-15 cm
- smelling of pepper
- flowers under the foliage
- March-April, red-brown, funnel-shaped flowers
- partially shaded areas e.g. B. under lime trees
Hydrangea (Hydrangea)
snowball hydrangea
- shrubby, broad, upright crowns
- depending on the variety up to 200 cm
- Flowering: June-September
- at the edge of the root disc
- light shade and penumbra, partly also full shade
- ideally under yew or thuja
Dog Rose (Rosa canina)
- bush or spreader
- fast-growing, runner-forming, 200-300 cm
- Underplanting of deciduous trees, e.g. B. Oak trees
- fragrant pink flowers in May/June, short-lived
Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra)
- spreading, arching, 30-60 cm
- Greenish, panicle-shaped flowers from August-October
- partially shaded area of the tree disc
- six to eight plants per square meter
Caladium (Caladium)
- Upright clump-forming ornamental perennial, 20-40 cm
- great variety of colors in the foliage
- white flowers from March-May
- plant around tree trunk, e.g. B. under oaks
tip: The tubers are not hardy. They must be dug up in autumn and overwintered frost-free.
Carpet dogwood (Cornus canadensis)
- runner-forming groundcover, 10-20 cm
- creamy white flowers in June
- bright red fruits after flowering
- good in partial shade under firs
Tip: Planting under trees, how Fir trees usually need to be watered every now and then.
frequently asked Questions
When is the best time for woody underplanting?In principle, trees can be underplanted between spring and autumn. The ideal time is between late July and early September when tree growth is almost complete. This leaves more moisture in the ground for the new plantings.
Which trees are flat-rooted and deep-rooted?Shallow roots are e.g. B. birch, poplar, spruce, Douglas fir, willow, hornbeam and spruce. The deep-rooters include u. Yew, fir, oak, cherry, linden, apple and plum trees.
Are there trees that are not suitable for underplanting?Yes, the walnut tree. Underplanting is hardly possible here, because the walnut does not tolerate any root competition. In addition, the essential oils contained in their leaves would impair the growth of other plants or make them impossible.