Software
Houzz Logo Print
paul_ramirez33

Tree Companions

last year

Just planted a 6-ft serviceberry (zone 6b, Easton PA) and want to add layered landscaping around it. Thinking boxwoods for structure with hydrangeas and airy perennials for softness. What would you recommend for year-round balance without crowding the tree?

Comments (17)

  • PRO
    last year

    Can you show a few pictures of the entire yard? Looking at this only picture look odd having a tree planted in the middle of the yard.

  • last year

    Sure this is some other plants that I planted in the corner of the yard. Quick fire hydrangeas, junipers and another service berry

  • last year

    Sure this is some other plants that I planted in the corner of the yard. As well as our raised beds.

  • PRO
    last year

    You have another post going for the same backyard. I had just posted this for the raised bed area....

    I still find it odd to have a tree surrounded by a flowerbed in the middle of the yard. Why do you want to plant a tree there?

  • last year

    Thanks. This looks nice. It was for privacy from the neighbors view. We had a digital design and they had daisies and some shrubs around it. But wanted to see if there was something more interesting

  • last year

    That serviceberry is going to get big in no time. (Or is it a slim variety of serviceberry- like Standing Ovation?). Even possibly too big for the space you have it in now. Not sure why you have it there, without seeing the whole yard, and why in a rectangular bed? For now, just plant some perennials or annuals. It will bloom white in early May - maybe April in your zone, but only for a week or two. Eventually, you will want a more rounded/curved bed.

  • last year

    Meant to add…. Definitely DON’T plant hydrangeas or boxwoods now. Give it a few years! If a “regular” serviceberry, it’s going to spread and look entirely different after a few years.

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    To my eye the square bed looks clunky. It will also be fiddly to maintain the corners sharply. How about a circle instead?


    Btw the photo from Christian Millbrook is clearly photoshopped so not a reliable source for a practical scheme.

  • last year

    As it grows, I think it will become clear that what you want under it are low groundcovers.

  • last year

    " To my eye the square bed looks clunky. " hahahahah Ok I'll say it. DH wants to know whose buried under your tree! Your cart is ahead of your horse. As said above give the tree a chance. Even later looking at the proximity of the deck and planting beds I see no reason to add anything around that tree--ever. It would cut your yard up blocking ease of mowing/walking etc from one part to the other.....

  • PRO
    last year

    First what kind of service berry is it? Then we can maybe help. There are many and often very different in needs


  • last year

    Thanks all. It’s a multi stem autumn brilliance

  • last year

    You don't have space for boxwoods and/or hydrangeas. You want something shorter. I'd probably put in creeping phlox, which is an evergreen perennial that should be native to you. It will bloom in the spring and comes in white, pale and vibrant pinks and purples. I might underplant with a series of bulbs. I'd make the bed round. You could keep the phlox trimmed into little balls, but I wouldn't. The foliage is fine and attractive when not in bloom.


    I would not pay any attention to any AI designs. AI rarely has the proportions right. Any design that shows boxwood and hydrangeas in that small space is just flat out wrong.



    Planting Schedules · More Info


  • last year

    Although my serviceberry was a little taller and fuller when planted, this is what it looks like after 12 or 15 years, in bloom in early May.
    Shrubs are not in front of it, but may look that way from this angle. Rather they are in front of a willow that will look like a variegated white when it leafs out later in May. To me, these shrubs have grown too big now. So don’t plant any shrubs. Not needed!

  • last year

    It looked just about this big after 5 years!

  • last year

    That’s a great example. Thanks