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Underplanting evergreen shrubs

LucidLucid Posts: 387

Hi everyone,

I hope this doesn't sound like a stupid question but can I underplant an evergeen shrub with Spring flowering bulbs (snowdrops, anemone) and wild primroses? I can't seem to find a definitive answer through google searching - although a lot of sources seem to refer to deciduous trees and shrubs with regards to underpanting - but I haven't found anything that says not to either.

The evergreen shrubs this would refer to are a holly, viburnum and a daphne. 

Thanks for any help and advice you can give,

Lucid image

Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    A lot of early flowering bulbs do their growing while the leaves are off deciduous trees. They die back as the leaves arrive. It may be too dark and dry under evergreens. Try it, you can always move them if they don't make a good show.

    Most of my evergreen shrubs reach down to the ground so I haven't tried.



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • LucidLucid Posts: 387

    Thanks nutcutlet - that'll help me work out where to plant things. I'll probably aim to avoid the evergreens for now, unless I have lots of bulbs to spare.

    Lucid image

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,481

    I find that bluebells and primroses and hardy geranium s will self seed under the outer canopy of  evergreens but not right under them.

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • LucidLucid Posts: 387

    Thanks for the tip B3 - I'll keep it in mind.

    Lucid image

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    I'd have to agree with Verd here. Treat larger evergreens almost as you would a hedge. Make a separate area for bulbs with deciduous shrubs and perennials so that foliage is hidden as other planting comes through.They're also ideal in and around small evergreens like Heucheras or Pachysandra etc if you gauge the heights well. image

    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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