20+ Awesome Ideas of Plants to Grow Under a Tree

Plants to Grow Under a Tree – When you are driving by a house and see that it has mature trees in the yard and beautiful flowers blossoming underneath them, it is immediately noticeable.

Do you want to know how you can make your house stand out in the same way? You are in luck because I have compiled a list of plants that ought to do well when planted in an area that is shaded by a tree.

When selecting plants to brighten up the area under your trees, you need to take into account the planting zone as well as the circumstances under which they will flourish.

However, make use of this knowledge as a map to direct your steps along the road. The following is a list of plants that do well growing in areas that are shaded by mature trees:

25 Plants to Grow Under a Tree

1. Aster

Asters have flowers that are vibrant but not too complex. Once they have reached their full maturity, these plants may reach heights ranging from one to six feet when they have fully grown.

However, you need to be selective about the kind of aster that you plant under a tree in order to ensure its success. While some flourish best when exposed to full sunshine, others do best when given some partial shade. You should, in most situations, err on the side of selecting a variety that is tolerant of a little amount of shadow.

2. Bleeding Hearts

Bleeding hearts is a gorgeous shrub that has lengthy branches that are covered in bright blossoms shaped like hearts. These plants have the potential to reach a height of three feet and thrive in shaded areas. This plant has a preference for early flowering.

Because of this, cultivating the shrub under the shade of a deciduous tree is an excellent choice because it allows the plant to absorb sunshine even while the weather is still mild. On the other hand, if the temperatures continue to climb, the plant’s leaves may be able to shield it from getting an excessive amount of sunshine. The hardiness of bleeding hearts extends from planting zone 3 all the way up to zone 9.

3. Boxwood

Have you ever given any thought to the possibility of growing bushes under a tree? If you haven’t seen them before, be ready to have your mind blown by this list. Boxwood should not be overlooked as a landscaping choice for the space underneath trees if you are looking for low-maintenance plants.

Because of how simple it is to cater to these shrubs’ requirements for growth, they make for a fantastic choice. They are able to reach heights of up to twenty feet no matter what kind of light is present. Boxwoods may be planted in zones five through nine without fear of frost damage.

4. Hostas

Hostas are stunning perennials that may reach heights of up to two feet in their mature state. They draw attention to any location because of the lush green foliage and delicate blossoms that they produce.

They can survive winters in zones three through nine without any problems. In addition, since they thrive in environments with varying degrees of shadow, older trees are a natural partner for these plants. As long as the soil can adequately drain water away from them, they should do well.

5. Columbine

Columbine is a ground-cover plant that produces brightly colored blooms in the form of stars. This plant has the potential to reach a height of one meter.

They are hardy in planting zones three through nine and may thrive in either full or partial sunshine, depending on the amount of exposure they get. Make sure the soil drains adequately and has an equal moisture level. These flowers may have difficulty blooming in soil that is too wet.

6. Cranesbill

Cranesbill is a plant that typically reaches a height of about two feet and has flowers that are simple and multicolored. Planting zones four through nine are optimal for their growth.

Make sure the soil drains properly and has enough organic matter if you want to cultivate this stunning bloom under the shade of your trees. Because these plants thrive in dappled shade, you should be able to successfully grow them behind an established tree.

7. Lilies

Would you desire a plant that, when in bloom, causes you to literally halt in your tracks? You could find satisfaction in caring for lilies. Their flowers have the form of trumpets, and the hues they come in are quite stunning.

Planting zones four through nine are suitable for growing hardy lilies. They may reach heights ranging between two and eight feet when fully mature. These flowers are not picky about the environment in which they are grown. They are adaptable to a wide range of illuminating conditions and soil types. However, it is usually a good idea to plant in soil that has good drainage.

8. Azaleas

Azaleas are beautiful shrubs, but you need to be careful about where you plant them since some animals may be poisoned by them. If you decide to plant azaleas under your tree, you won’t need very many of them since they may reach heights and widths of up to five feet when fully mature.

Because they can survive in planting zones six through nine, these plants have a wide range of potential uses. Be careful to protect them from the heat of the afternoon sun and place them in soil that drains properly if you want them to thrive.

9. Primrose

Primroses are timeless flowers that are available in a wide range of hues. Due to the fact that this plant thrives in dappled shade, it is a great choice for planting in the shade cast by trees.

The final height of these blooms will range anywhere from one and a half feet to two feet. Additionally, they may thrive in planting zones four through eight without any problems.

10. Pansies

I adore pansies. They have a name that is commonly associated with something or someone that is weak, such as a coward or a weakling. In point of fact, they are long-lasting blossoms. They are available in a variety of hues and are able to withstand temperatures that are lower. When they reach maturity, pansies will be less than one foot in height.

Additionally, they flourish in climates with lower temperatures, namely planting zones seven through ten. When cultivated in locations where they get plenty of early sunshine but some afternoon shade, these flowers perform at their peak potential. You should also cultivate pansies in soil that is full of nutrients and has good drainage.

11. Bloodroot

Consider planting a variety of different things that have a rotating bloom schedule if you want there to be plant life that blooms under a tree throughout the whole year. However, you should make sure that all of the plants get along with one another and don’t impede one another’s growth.

If you need a plant that blooms from the end of winter through the beginning of spring, bloodroot can be a good option for you. This plant will live through the winter in zones three through eight. This flower prefers to grow in the shade, but it requires soil that is both moist and well-drained wherever it is planted. If you want delicate, snow-white flowers to grow in your garden during the colder months of the year, you might want to grow bloodroot.

12. Ferns

Unless you live in a region with year-round high temperatures, we tend to think of ferns as annual plants. On the other hand, there are those that can withstand planting zones four and above without any problems. Be sure to do some research on the kind of fern that you choose so that you know what to anticipate.

Remember that most ferns enjoy dappled sunlight and have certain humidity requirements that must be satisfied in order to thrive. Also, do some study to find out how tall your particular kind of fern will become as it matures, since the height of mature ferns may vary anywhere from one to six feet.

13. Lamium

Lamium is characterized by lush, green leaves and dainty, purple flowers. This plant has a low-growing height but has the potential to become very widespread.

It can survive winters in planting zones four through eight and does best in complete to partial obscurity. The leaves of the plant may be damaged by an excess of sunlight. When planting lamium, the soil should have good drainage and should not be allowed to get too saturated.

14. Carol of the Bells

Merry bells are plants that produce yellow flowers that are fashioned like bells and hang from the plant. This plant can survive winters in zones four through nine without any problems.

Once they have reached their full maturity, joyful bells typically grow to a height of between one and two feet tall. They like shady regions, but the soil they grow in must be porous and rich in nutrients. In the latter part of spring, you should be able to see cheerful bells in full bloom.

15. Sage

Have you given any thought to cultivating a little herb garden in the space in between your more established trees? Sage is one of the plants that might be considered for this role, along with a few others. This plant will reach a height of between one and three feet when fully mature.

Sage may be planted in zones four through eight without fear of frost damage. Nonetheless, you will need to cultivate it on soil that has good drainage. The more sandy the terrain, the better. This plant can also live well in conditions that range from full sun to half sun.

16. Daffodils

Daffodils are among the most uplifting of all flowers. They usually reach a height of between one and three feet and a width of just about one foot when fully mature. These flowers may be found in zones three through eight and are perennials. However, you should make sure that you consider the quantity of sunlight that the flowers will get from the tree before planting them.

My own experience has shown that daffodils are able to thrive around mature trees of a lesser size, such as dwarf fruit trees, since they continue to get sufficient sunshine to flower. There is a possibility that they will not get enough light if they are allowed to develop behind bigger trees. Because of this, they will just grow foliage and will not produce any blossoms.

17. Stonecrop

Stonecrop, or sedum, is another popular name for this plant. This flowering plant lives for many years and produces dense clumps of flowers. The plant will eventually reach a height of around two feet and a width of about two feet.

Stonecrop is a plant that is known to thrive in planting zones ranging from four all the way up to nine. The soil must be rich in nutrients and have good drainage in order for the plant to thrive.

18. Impatiens

Impatiens are brightly colored flowers that bloom close to the ground, and they perform very well when planted in clusters. Generally speaking, the tallest these blooms can become is one foot. Due to the fact that they are only hardy in planting zones ten and eleven, they are often cultivated as annuals instead of perennials.

In the event that you decide to cultivate impatiens underneath your tree, you need to ensure that the soil in which they are grown is rich in nutrients and has good drainage. These flowers require some shade to thrive and will produce taller stems if planted in close proximity to one another.

19. Coral Bells

The coral bells plant is a low-growing ground cover that has richly pigmented leaves and flowers with pale, understated hues. This plant could be the right choice for you if you’re looking for something simple but stunning to landscape under your trees.

These types of plants to grow under a tree may reach a height of up to one or two feet when fully mature. They need soil that is rich in nutrients and has good drainage, although they may tolerate some shade. Coral bells may be planted in zones ranging from four to nine.

20. Crocus

Crocuses are stunning little blooms that burst out in a rainbow of hues and are very small. They have flowers in the form of cups that open up to absorb water and sunshine simultaneously.

These blooms seldom exceed a height of three to six inches when fully grown. They may be planted in zones as low as three and as high as eight without any problems. In addition to this, they do best in growing conditions that include dappled light and soil that drains well.

21. Yarrow

Yarrow is a plant that may grow up to three feet in height and is classified as a tall plant. It forms dense clusters of brilliant flowers that provide life and vibrancy to the growing environment. These flowers thrive in soil that is porous and has good drainage, and you must take care not to water them to death.

In addition, yarrow thrives in direct sunshine; thus, you should make sure that your tree is not obstructing the sun’s path toward these blossoms. It may be planted in zones as low as three and as high as nine without any problems.

22. Hydrangeas

There are a variety of shrubs that may be planted under an existing tree, including hydrangeas. These are larger shrubs, and the blossoms they produce are more substantial.

These bushes might potentially reach a height of 10 feet if given enough time. They thrive best on soil that is rich in nutrients and has good drainage, and they need just a little bit of sunshine. These bushes can survive winters in zones ranging from three to seven.

23. The Black-eyed Susan flower

Because of the striking contrast between the light and dark centers of their blooms, black-eyed Susans are difficult to overlook. It is important to choose carefully the kind you plant, since some varieties of plants to grow under a tree only reach a height of around two feet, while others may reach heights of more than four feet.

These beautiful flowers may thrive in planting zones ranging from three to ten. On the other hand, they want increased exposure to sunshine. However, they are also able to grow when exposed to some shade. Always make sure the soil you cultivate black-eyed Susans in has good drainage.

24. Snowdrops

Snowdrops are flowering plants to grow under a tree that spread quickly and grow low to the ground. Their flowers are white and bell-shaped. They are able to survive in planting zones three through eight and only reach a height of around four inches when fully mature.

They do best in locations that get anything from full to partial sun. Between the months of October and April, you may anticipate these flowers opening their petals. However, the most typical season for them to blossom is between the months of February and March.

25. Coleus

Coleus is the last plant that you should think about planting in the space under a tree. Another plant that is well-known for the distinctive appearance of its leaves is this one. The coloration of the leaf may range from deep and dark to bright and light, depending on the variety.

These plants to grow under a tree seldom reach a height of more than three feet and are classified as annuals in the majority of areas since they are only winter hardy in planting zone 11. You should ensure the coleus has nutrient-dense, well-draining soil.

You may choose from twenty-five different plant species to cultivate in the space under an established tree. You should take note of the specific growth circumstances required by each plant. Some will grow well in the shade of trees that have a lot of foliage.

However, some will have to develop under a more mature tree with a thinner canopy in order to fulfill their lighting needs. Check out your growing area and see if it meets the needs of the plants you want to grow. If you are allowed to, you can then start landscaping your yard in your growing area.