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What to plant under an oak tree

carolineb2_QWW2ccarolineb2_QWW2c Posts: 1
in Problem solving
Hi 
Does anyone have some advice on what to plant under an oak please? We have an oak on the boundary of our garden in a corner. We back on to a road so the half of its roots are under the road/path behind us. We currently have a shed situated under the tree on some slabs. We desperately need a new shed so I discussed with a landscaper who said not to use slabs. I’m concerned about rats nesting under the shed with a hard base so we plan to resituate the shed. He has made me concerned about looking after the trees roots though so my question is - what can you plant? What kind of features could you have under an oak reee to make it an attractive corner of the garden. Thank you! 

Posts

  • andrewnewtonandrewnewton Posts: 155
    I'm afraid I don't have personal experience but I'd suggest you look at spring flowering shade lovers that are quite tough e.g. pulminaria, bergenia or euphorbia if you are looking for colour. The rational being they will flower before the canopy closes over them. For year round ground cover how about ivy - perhaps a variegated form ? Or if you have enough light a vinca
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Spring bulbs, hellebores, pulmonaria. Once it comes into leaf it sucks all the moisture out of the ground, and there is too much shade for anything later to thrive. 
    Without a hard base to stand on, the shed will rot from the bottom.  Mine is stood on slabs.  Do not concrete over the roots, it will damage the tree.
  • Jenny_AsterJenny_Aster Posts: 945
    Lots of suggestions in the link https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/for-places/under-trees

    Perhaps think of woodland plants, foxgloves, ferns....
    Trying to be the person my dog thinks I am! 

    Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    We have a large ash tree in the corner of our garden. Plants that do fairly well in its dry shade are Geranium phaeum, Iris foetidissima, vinca, Helleborus argutifolius, and Dryopteris ferns. To get them going we used lots of leaf mould and soil conditioner and even now ten years on we have to water them well in dry spells. 
    Dry shade isn’t easy. 😊 

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





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The early woodland anemones are good, and cyclamen for autumn. Euphorbias, but some are quite keen on world domination, so choose carefully.
    Lamiums, Brunnera,  Saxifraga urbium, and Ajuga will all cope, whether it's damper or drier although the first two will appreciate some moisture. Organic matter added as a mulch will help. If you're in a very dry area, probably better to stick with the ones that don't mind dry shade instead.
    Anything will need well watered until established too.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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