Forum home› Garden design
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

What to plant under big trees

clarkrachael6clarkrachael6 Posts: 24
in Garden design
Hi I am wondering if anybody can recommend any good plant seeds or plants I could put down to see if I can grow anything round the base of this tree, it looks very dry and shaded or is it a waste of time even trying to grow anything?

Posts

  • clarkrachael6clarkrachael6 Posts: 24

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Always difficult I'm afraid.

    You could try things like Vinca and Saxifraga urbium [London Pride]  which, if you keep really well watered till established, will gradually increase. Hardy geraniums [hundreds of varieties] might also be fine once established.
    Some bulbs for spring will also manage, and if you can get cyclamen fro autumn, those will get going well too. Make sure they're the hardy ones. 
    It may be tricky just now obtaining plants, but a good nursery is Long Acre Plants - who deal in shade lovers - dry and wet  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • clarkrachael6clarkrachael6 Posts: 24
    Thanks so much for your help
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I agree with everything @Fairygirl has said.

    Another plant that does well in dry shade under trees is Liriope 

    https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/liriope-muscari/

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • clarkrachael6clarkrachael6 Posts: 24
    I have just looked at the link they look like beautiful flowers can I buy them as seeds or plants? 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I think they're usually sold as plants ... several suppliers have them, Crocus has quite a good reputation for online shopping https://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/liriope-muscari/classid.3173/

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    I've found that Geranium Macrorhizum will grow in difficult conditions, doesn't mind shade.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Sign In or Register to comment.