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Planting under a patio plum tree

msqingxiaomsqingxiao Posts: 482
in Fruit & veg
Hi all, I've got a patio plum tree Opal planted in a big planter, positioned facing southwest so should get full sun. Just wondering if I can plant some things under it in the same container as well? Currently I've put a small viola and a trailing fuchsia in. Not sure if I can add one more plant, or is it already a bit too much and will compete with the plum tree? Thanks!


Posts

  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    edited May 2023
    Those plants are quite shallow rooted so as long as you keep your planter well watered I would have thought that adding an extra similar plant would be fine - the extra leaf cover will help to reduce evaporation from the soil surface and keep weeds away.   If you are concerned, you could sink the plants in their original pots to contain their root spread but still enjoy some colour.  I'd also consider adding a mulch of bark, pebbles or grit.  Just another thought, the soil surface looks quite low, perhaps it has sunk since planting the pear.  If only recently planted, I'd raise the plant and soil surface to 2 inches below the rim of the planter.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • msqingxiaomsqingxiao Posts: 482
    Thanks a lot for the comments! @Plantminded

    Yes we noticed the low soil surface as well, but don't know what the disadvantage is to leave it like that? And if we want to raise the level, can we just add more soil/compost, or will it be a problem to bury more of the tree's stem pls? (will dig the viola and fuchsia up and put them back in after filling more soil)

    I may directly sow some annuals such as godetia and clary into the rest of the planter. Will they be able to germinate if covered by 20mm gravel that I plan to use as top dressing pls?

    Thanks again  :)
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Raising the soil level around the trunks of trees and most shrubs causes the bark to rot and the tree to die. 

    I would remove the plum tree in the late autumn, fill the container to within 2” of the top with a mixture of JI 3’ mixed with a bit of added grit, and replant. 

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





  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    edited May 2023
    If your tree has been planted for more than a couple of weeks, I’d follow @Dovefromabove’s advice and replant the tree in autumn as it becomes dormant.  I wouldn’t put gravel on top of small seeds before they germinate, leave it until the seedlings have grown and you’ve thinned them out.  Good luck!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • msqingxiaomsqingxiao Posts: 482
    Thanks both! The tree was planted just over a week ago but we've now run out of compost so will need to order and wait for a new batch. Hopefully they'll arrive in time for up to lift the tree and fill the planter a bit more.  :)
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