Planting under trees: 40 suitable plants

Planting under trees is a particular challenge. For many plants, trees are a strong competition for roots, which makes underplanting impossible. But there are species that are perfect for this.

Among shallow-rooters

The roots of shallow roots run like a plate close to the surface of the earth, which makes it difficult to plant under trees. In order to plant even heavily rooted soil, a thick layer of mother earth on the tree grate helps.

Balkan cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum)

• Drought tolerant shade perennial
• plant in close proximity to the trunk
• varied foliage
• May-June clusters of violet, red, white or pink flowers

Bergenia (Bergenia)

• persistent, herbaceous, approx. 30 cm
• on the edge of the root disc
• great leaf decoration with autumn colors
• large showy inflorescences in spring

Bluestar (Scilla sibirica)

• between 10 and 20 cm
• tend to run wild
• Flowering period: February-April
• blue, cup-shaped grape blossoms
• sunny and partially shaded areas

Brown cranesbill (Geranium phaeum)

• upright, 50-75 cm high perennial
• dry, partially shaded locations
• on the north side of the tree grate
• Main flowering period: May-July
• small blackish-red flowers

Common ivy (Hedera helix)

• at the edge of large tree grates
• spreads towards the trunk
• Settlement also on deeply rooted soil
• different leaf colors

Monkshood (aconite)

• clumpy perennial, upright, leafy flower stalks
• Height 90-100 cm
• purple-blue flowers from July-August
• partially shaded to shady place

Tip: The monkshood is highly poisonous and one of the most poisonous plants in Europe.

Elven flower (Epimedium)

• Carpet-forming ground cover, 15-30 cm
• suitable for all tree grates
• even under the widely spreading treetops
• green, heart-shaped leaves, golden yellow autumn colors
• April-May white, pink, red, yellow or purple flowers

Ferns

• also among pronounced shallow roots
• especially good under apple trees and conifers
• Partial shade to shade
• Heights of growth 30 to 80 cm
• varied leaf fronds in shape, color and size

Hosta

• Decorative leaf plants, 60-100 cm
• small, shady tree slices, outer edge area
• Water the root area of ​​the plantain regularly
• June-August white to purple bell flowers

Golden strawberry / Waldsteinie (Waldsteinia geoides)

• robust, drought tolerant shade perennial
• Ground cover without runners
• Height 15-30 cm
• Planting near the trunk
• yellow flowers in April / May

Large star umbel (Astrantia major)

• bushy, clumpy, upright flower stalks, 40-50 cm
• white to pink flowers from June to August
• slightly damp locations
• on the outer edge of the root disc

Japanese ribbon grass (Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola')

• Shade grass for the winter garden
• Growth height of 20-40 cm
• Planting in partial shade
• yellow-green foliage, reddish shoots and autumn colors
• Panicle-like flowers from August to October

Caucasus forget-me-nots (Brunnera macrophylla)

• broadly bushy, basal leaf clusters
• 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 partial shade of conifers
• April-May, light blue to purple, rarely white flowers
• Before planting compost in the planting hole

Creeping Gunsel (Ajuga reptans)

• Ground cover, rapid expansion, up to 20 cm
• April-June long, dark purple inflorescences
• sunny to partially shaded areas
• very good under birch trees

Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis)

• Ground cover with purple or pink flowers, 25-30 cm
• flowers before the leaves of the trees shoot
• Partial shade and light shade
• perfect for underplanting deciduous trees
• around the tree optimally

Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)

• runners, 15-30 cm
• in the shade of trees B. Cherry trees
• blooms in May, depending on the weather
• white, bell-shaped flower clusters

Tip: Lilies of the valley are 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.

Carnation root (Geum coccineum)

• upright, rhizome-forming, 20-30 cm
• Underplanting of larger tree grates
• outer edge of the tree grate
• May-July, orange-red cupped flowers

Purple bells (Heuchera)

• bushy, cushion-forming, 20-50 cm
• Underplant small, sunny tree slices
• decorative, colorful foliage
• May to August, white to pink panicles of flowers

Ray anemone (Anemone blanda)

• loose-grass, upright flower stalks, 5-15 cm
• Flowering: March to April
• white, pink or deep blue ray-flowers
• well under deciduous trees

White forest aster (Eurybia divaricata)

• 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 underplant. They align their root system with the soil and grow deeper in dry locations and outward in moist locations.

Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris)

• herbaceous, perennial, 30-60 cm
• unusual flower shape, conspicuous spur
• blooms from May-June
• Underplant small, sunny tree slices

Alpine currant (Ribes alpinum)

• Compatible with shade, compact, upright shoots
• Growth height 100-200 cm
• yellow-green, racemose flowers from April-May
• Underplanting of deciduous trees e.g. B. Oak trees

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum)

• herbaceous, shoots up to 250 cm long
• good under fruit or Apple trees
• Edible leaves and flowers
• Flowering and harvesting May-October
• red, yellow or orange funnel-shaped flowers

Tip: Under the apple tree, the nasturtium 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 rock pear
• on sunny part of the tree slice
• Improve the planting area with sand

Tip: Other drought-tolerant herbs are also suitable for planting under trees.

Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium)

• shrub-like, compact, 80-120 cm
• can withstand root pressure well
• good as underplanting of rock pear
• in shady areas
• golden yellow, racemose flowers from April to May

Spindle bush (Euonymus)

• ground-covering small shrub or climbing plant
• expansive, upright, cushion-forming
• 20 cm high, shoots up to 500 cm long
• well under beeches
• white to greenish-yellow flowers from June to July

Waldaster (Aster divaricatus)

• delicate white forest asters
• quickly forms larger stocks
• partially shaded to shady areas
• Small star-shaped flowers from August to October

Among deep-rooters

Deep roots take root in the depths, the area of ​​the tree disc remains largely open. There is no root competition for other plants, which makes a diverse planting under trees possible.

Balkan cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum)

• Drought tolerant, pillow-forming perennial
• Planting near the trunk
• in partial shade or shade
• Growth height 25-35 cm
• June-July, umbel-shaped, pale pink flowers

Floribunda rose 'Bonica (R) 82’®

• lush growth, often blooming, 60-80 cm
• large double pink flowers
• blooms from June to September
• easy to plant under fir trees
• Sun to partial shade

Blackberries (Rubus sect. Rubus)

• perennial herbaceous, hardy shrubs
• Flowering period: May-August
• Fruit ripening: August to September
• under linden, larch or fruit trees
• at some distance from the trunk

Finger bush(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 fir trees

Spring pea (Lathyrus vernus)

• bushy, upright, clumpy, 15-30 cm
• blooms from April-May
• purple-blue, rarely white or pink flowers
• in the light-rich edge area under deciduous trees

Spotted dead nettle (Lamium maculatum)

• creeping, forming runners, approx. 25 cm
• decorative green-white, heart-shaped leaves
• from June purple flowers
• on large, shady tree slices

Hazelwort (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 z. B. under linden trees

Hydrangea

• shrub-like, broad, upright crowns
• Depending on the variety, up to 200 cm
• Flowering period: June-September
• in the edge area of ​​the root disc
• light shade and partial shade, partly also full shade
• ideally under yew or thuja

Dog rose (Rosa canina)

• Bush or spreading climber
• fast-growing, runners, 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)

• expansive, arched, 30-60 cm
• greenish, panicle-shaped flowers from August to October
• partially shaded area of ​​the tree grate
• six to eight plants per square meter

Kaladie (Caladium)

• upright, clump-forming ornamental leaf, 20-40 cm
• large variety of foliage colors
• white flowers from March-May
• plant around tree trunk, e.g. B. under oaks

tip: The tubers are not hardy. They have to be dug up in autumn and overwintered frost-free.

Carpet dogwood (Cornus canadensis)

• Runners-forming ground cover, 10-20 cm
• creamy white flowers in June
• bright red fruits after flowering
• well in partial shade under Fir trees

Tip: Planting under trees, how Firs usually have to be watered every now and then.

frequently asked Questions