32 Flowers, Ground Cover, and Shrubs That Grow Under Trees

I’m going to start this post by saying that starting a garden beneath a tree can be challenging. You’ll likely be battling shade, dry ground, and acidic conditions if you’re planting underneath a coniferous tree. If you’re not fully committed to this gardening challenge, I highly recommend putting a circle of mulch around your tree and calling it a day.

However, I understand the appeal. There’s something about blooming flowers underneath a tall tree that seems so romantic and beautiful. So in that spirit, here are 32 plants that will work in your underneath-a-tree flower bed. I’ve chosen mostly perennials, with a few shade-loving annuals thrown in for good measure.

Disclaimer #1: I personally garden in Zone 3b on the Canadian Prairies, so all of my plant suggestions are plants that will grow in this zone. If you live somewhere warmer, you will likely have a lot more plant suggestions at your disposal. However, all my picks should work for you!

Disclaimer #2: Some of the plants I’m suggesting can be very invasive. It’s always a good idea to google [your province or state] plus the term “invasive plants” to avoid future heartache in the garden.

Coniferous or Deciduous?

Let’s go back to your elementary science class for a moment…

Coniferous trees are types of trees that stay green all year. For example, fir, pine, and spruce. Deciduous trees are the ones whose leaves fall off every autumn. For example, oak, elm, and any fruit tree. Most of the plants I’m suggesting will work well for either type of tree, but there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.

If your tree is coniferous, you’ll need to prune the bottom branches to allow some light to get to your plants. The soil beneath tends to be quite acidic, so you may need to amend it or build it up a little.

If your tree is deciduous, you might be able to plant some early flowering perennials, such as crocuses, daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, and other spring perennials that require more sun. The leaves on the trees won’t be fully grown when these flowers are blooming, so they should work even though the area under a tree is generally shady.

The Best Ground Covers for Underneath a Tree

Sometimes, you don’t want to spend much time creating the perfect flowerbed. You just want a pretty hit of colour that looks good and is low-maintenance. Any one of these perennial ground covers will be your answer.

Anemones

Anemones are easy to find, longer blooming, and spread out nicely, but they aren’t impossible to control. In my book, they’re one of the best choices you can make for a ground cover.

Bugleweed

I love this ground cover with its pretty purple flowers, but be warned! It can be very invasive and almost impossible to get rid of. If you have very difficult growing conditions, though, bugleweed might be your answer.

Japanese Spurge

Japanese spurge is good for woodland areas and forms a 2-inch-thick carpet when mature. Like most ground covers, it can get out of control in some areas. It does not like very dry conditions.

Lamium

Lamium is an early-blooming spring perennial, and I particularly like the variety with a sort of pink and blue. They’re not really meant as cut flowers, but occasionally I’ve thrown them into a bouquet just because they’re so pretty.

Lily of the Valley

Technically, lily of the valley really isn’t considered a ground cover. However, I find that it can spread so quickly that I would treat it like one!

Saxifrage

Saxifrage is a long-blooming perennial. I typically see them in shades of pink or yellow, and they really brighten up the space underneath a tree. They also look great growing between rocks.

Solomon’s Seal

A beautiful plant for a woodland garden. It does well as a ground cover or in a flower bed. Beware the berries, as they are poisonous to animals and children.

Perennial Flowers

Bergenia

In my old established neighbourhood, this is the perennial flower of choice for underneath a tree. It is one of the first perennials to bloom, other than Tulips and Daffodils. The blooms last for around three weeks, and the big leaves also look good into the end of fall. It’s an easy-to-grow perennial that is hard to kill but not invasive.

Black Snakeroot

Bleeding Heart

An old favourite! Get one in dark pink, light pink, and white. They’re also a longer-blooming perennial. And you can even add them to cut flower arrangements for a nice, unexpected touch.

Columbine

Columbines come in many colours, and the seeds are very easy to collect. A must-have underneath deciduous trees.

Daylilies

Daylilies actually prefer full sun, but they will grow in the shade. If the shade is too intense and they receive less than 3 hours of sun, they might not bloom at all. However, you’ll still have the leaves, which can be eye-catching, as well.

The lilies pictured here are what are sometimes referred to as ditch lilies. These lilies can grow wild and become a little bit problematic. However, if you get pretty much any other variety of daylily other than the ones that come in this orange, they won’t be invasive, and they will be a lot prettier. In this case, it is worth spending the money and getting a daylily that is not a ditch lily.

Related: 30 Perennials You’ll Regret Planting in Your Zone 3 Garden

Ferns

For the love of all that is right and good in the world, please do not plant ostrich ferns unless you have impossible-to-grow-anything conditions. I used to own an overgrown yard from which I had to pull at least 400 ferns over the course of two years. Yes, you read that right. Pick any other fern.

Foam Flowers

Goutweed

Goutweed is another be-careful-what-you-wish-for perennial that has a bad spreading habit. It is by far one of my most hated.

Related: 48 More Perennials You’ll Regret Planting

Hens and Chicks

Hens and Chicks are one of the few succulents that are perennials in Zone 3 (though there are others). They are great for little spots in between rocks or any spot underneath your tree where just nothing else will grow.

Hostas

Hostas are easy to grow and come in a variety of leaf patterns. Get 3-5 different varieties for a stunning display.

Lungwort

Lungwort is another one of my favourite picks for a shade-loving ground cover in the garden. I love the pretty purple and pink blooms!

Milkweed

Look for a variety that grows no taller than 2 feet. The varieties that grow 6 feet will look ridiculous. This one can also be invasive in some areas.

Sedum

There are so wide, colourful, and gorgeous varieties of sedum that you could easily do your whole under-the-tree flower bed with just sedum. Hmm… I have a spot in my front yard…

Siberian Bugloss

This plant has the most beautiful blue blooms and is an unusual addition to any flowerbed.

Siberian Irises

Irises are a great choice for underneath a deciduous tree because they bloom earlier in the season and the roots should not be planted deeply. Perfect for when you’re trying to avoid damaging existing tree roots.

Yarrow

Yarrow is actually best suited to full sun, but if the tree in question is smaller and your bed would receive at least 6 hours of sun a day, plant it. Yarrow is a great choice in this situation because it can thrive in some of the poorest soils.

Annual Flowers

Begonia

New to gardening in the shade? Make sure you get a Begonia or two (or more!). They come in many different sizes and colours. My personal favourites are the large double begonias pictured below.

Coleus

Coleus is widely available in a rainbow of colours at your local garden centre or big box store. Plus, you can take cuttings indoors before the first frost and enjoy them as houseplants over the winter.

Creeping Jenny

Creeping Jenny is hardy from Zones 2-10 and is a great plant to grow in a shady area where nothing else will grow. However, because of its invasive nature, you need to check if this plant is banned in your area before planting it.

Impatiens

Impatiens are another practically no-fail flower for the beginner gardener. They also come in many colours and varieties. I personally love the double impatiens pictured below the most.

Shrubs and Bushes

Alpine Currant

Have a spot where it’s impossible to grow anything? An Alpine Currant might be the solution. They’re typically used as a hedge and can handle full sun, shade, poor soil, hard pruning, or almost any tricky growing situation.

Juniper

Look for low-growing varieties like Blue Carpet or Prince of Wales (pictured below) for a nice hit of green all year long.

Ninebark

Ninebarks are very hardy shrubs and add a unique pop of colour to an otherwise green tableau.

Snowberry

These ornamental berries add some nice texture to your landscape.

Spirea

Spireas are better suited to the sun, so don’t plant them in a flowerbed that will get no sun whatsoever.

Whatever you plant, don’t do this!

You’ve picked your ground cover, flowers, or shrubs, but there are three things you need to avoid:

1. Don’t build up your soil in a raised bed directly against the trunk of the tree. You could damage the tree, and it may even die. You can add up to 2-3 inches of soil without compromising your tree. This is why I recommend surrounding the three feet directly around your tree with mulch and keeping it free of plants. That way, the tree has a buffer, and your plants won’t have to compete directly with the trunk for growing space. The mulch ensures that you won’t have a weedy mess.
2. Avoid planting any shrubs that grow more than three feet, as anything taller may start growing in between the lower branches of the tree. In this case, the shorter the plant, the better.
3. Don’t rototill the ground directly around an established tree to try to make a flower bed. You’ll destroy the roots and damage the tree. Dig small holes for each individual plant instead.

How to Grow More Successfully Beneath a Tree

The first step to growing successfully beneath a tree is to trim its lower branches. Even shade-loving plants need some light to grow.

Next, when you plant your flower bed, make sure that each plant has its own hole that’s larger than the plant. Fill the extra space with more soil. This ensures that the new plants don’t have to compete with established roots and compact ground for their root space. Take special care not to damage the roots of the existing tree.

Finally, in a perfect world, you would plant the flower bed under the tree at the same time as you’re planting the tree in question. Lots of trees have roots close to the surface, and it’s easy to damage them years later as you’re trying to add plants to a new flower bed.

Any suggestions you’d add? Is there a plant that needs to be on this list? Let me know in the comments below!

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