planting under a tree

11 years ago

we have a tree in the back yard that gets afternoon sun, and so I find it hard to grow anything under it like ferns or hostas. will Solomon's seal burn?

I have been spending all morning weeding under it and am only half way done. due to all the rain I have been in my front yard from may until now with little in the back yard. so what do I find, in place of woodland phlox under the tree, I have weeds, trees, wild violets, Virginia creeper, etc.

as I get older I am getting tired of gardening. made my front bed smaller this year and added plants that I hope will take over. mulched it heavily as well. so in some ways I say to myself, just let grass grow under the tree and put a few large rocks under the bird bath out there. but then I see a photo of Solomon's seal under a tree and it is beautiful. even a ground cover may work. thanks.

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Comments (5)

stockergal
11 years ago
Growing anything under a tree is difficult and the afternoon sun adds to your problem. I am assuming the tree has a high canopy if you are getting sun. I had good luck with vinca minor and money wart (it can be aggressive but it will cover). If you are starting to cut back on the gardening I would mulch deeply and hardscape as you like and not try to plant anything. You didnot add Bermuda grass to your list of offenders. If Bermuda grows under the tree then let it grow as far as it will then mulch from the tree outward. Just keep it simple. I have never grown Solomon's seal so I am not sure if it will burn.
jessaka thanked stockergal
jessaka
Original Author
11 years ago
yes, it has a high canopy. don't like vinca anything. wish i did, and maybe i should learn to like it real quick. don't have Bermuda in the back and since we keep planting tall fescue, well, now we have little of anything but weeds for a lawn since it dies in the heat.

I love money wart but thought that it needed a lot of moisture, and the soil under the tree dries out fast. I planted it years ago and then it took over so I got it all out, and then this year I got some more and told it to do what it wants, but it is on the north side of the house were it is moist. just one of my favorite plants.
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stockergal
11 years ago
Your right it is dry under trees, that's why I would mulch add a bench ,a few pots full of impatience and sit in the shade. Shade gardening sometimes is harder to grow in than full sun. There are several ground covers on the market but dry shade will be a problem.
jessaka thanked stockergal
mulberryknob
11 years ago
I have variegated solomon's seal on the east side of the house and it looks good. I don't know how it would do under a tree with afternoon sun. But if you want to try it, say the word. It spreads and I have more than I want now.
jessaka thanked mulberryknob
jessaka
Original Author
11 years ago
thank so you so much stockergal. that is the answer. we have a bench that a woman gave us that came from a church here in Tahlequah (the woman who got it had cut down down to 5 foot) and my husband has to repair it. and mulberyknob I would love some Solomon's seal. I can see it now. mulch and flat stones under the bench, the bird feeder and the few plants that are in there now, left, moved if necessary. let me know when it is a good time to get the Solomon's seal and my husband can drive me over. just not in the heat of the day. ha. would be good to see you again too. not sure if I have your address. if you still have my phone number please call.