Do you want to give a unique look to your garden? Yes! You can do just that and you don’t even need to plant a unique plant in your garden for this. We are talking about planting flowers and plants under trees and here we are going to tell you 10 flowering plants that grow well under trees.
This is a unique idea that is usually overlooked by gardeners in gardening and landscapes. In fact, it is common to have trees in addition to grass, flowers, shrubs, and other plants in gardening and landscaping. Often people pay attention to decorating all the places in their landscape with different flowers and plants, but the trees are left as they are. They appear gloomy and unattractive. Of course, the beauty of your garden will increase if you make a flower bed under them. By doing this you will also get inspiration to do new experiments in your gardening and your skills will also develop. If you want to know more about this then read our article – How to make a flower bed around a tree.
10 Flowering Plants That Grow Well Under Trees
Below are 10 such flowering plants that grow well under trees. Also, they are shade tolerant. These plants do not grow much in height and many of them require a lot of care. Let’s know about these plants…
1. Hosta
The scientific name of Plantain lilies is Hosta.It is also known commonly as hostas. This beautiful perennial plant has green leaves and requires very little care. One characteristic of hosta cultivation is that it is a shade-tolerant plant that makes it suitable for planting under trees. Hostas do well with moisture but can tolerate drought to some extent. Most hostas grow best in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8. Although some of its varieties can be planted in zone 9.
It has many species, some of which are prominent. Such as Patriot Hosta, Minuteman Hosta, Wide Brim Hosta, Medio Variegata Hosta and Guacamole Hosta.
2. Lamium
Lamium (dead-nettles) belongs to the Lamiaceae family. There are more than 40 species of this flowering plant. Its genus consists of annual species along with perennials. It has dense green leaves with shades of pink, purple, and white. Each of its species grows double-lipped flowers that look adorable.
Lamium has a USDA hardiness zone of 4 to 8. On the other hand, if planted in zones 6 to 8, it will be evergreen for most of the year. This plant can also tolerate shade, which is an essential element for planting under trees.
Lamium comes with several options for you. Like, Lamium Purple Dragon, Ghost Lamium, and Lamium White Nancy.
3. Anemone
Anemone (commonly called windflower) is a flowering plant and a genus belonging to the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. It is in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 10 which varies by species. It does well in full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
This flower comes in many colors. You have many options for this flower such as Japanese anemone, pink anemone clematis, and snowdrop anemone.
4. Heartleaf foamflower
Heartleaf foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) has many common names. Like Tiarella cordifolia, heartleaved foamflower, Allegheny foamflower, etc. This is a flowering plant species and is related to the Saxifragaceae family. This is a perennial plant that grows foamy cream flowers in summer.
You will get vibrantly-colored foamy cream flowers in summer from this perennial plant and it will last for years. They never stop growing. One thing you have to do is trim this plant from time to time when they grow long. You have multiple options in Heartleaf foamflower.
It has USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9 and can tolerate partial shade to full shade.
5. Rhododendrons and Azaleas
Botanically, both azaleas and rhododendrons belong to the genus Rhododendron. While azaleas are a subspecies of the rhododendron.
Both of these plants are a type of shrubs and are almost similar and closely related to each other.
These plants are a good option for your flower bed around trees. Rhododendrons have USDA hardiness zones 5 through 8. While azaleas are suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9.
Here are some types of these plants:
- Black Hat Rhododendron
- Hot Pink Reblooming Azalea
- Fireball Azalea
- Honey Butter Rhododendron
6. Hydrangea
Hydrangea is commonly known as hydrangea or hortensia. It is related to the Hydrangeaceae family. These flowers come in various colors and sizes. It can usually be pink, blue, red, white, purple and green! Hydrangeas have properties that make them very suitable for flower gardens around trees. It performs better in both full sun and partial shade. Hydrangea will be either deciduous or evergreen. Its USDA hardiness zones are 3 to 8.
7. Impatiens
Jewelweed, impatiens, touch-me-not, snapweed, and patience are common names of Impatiens. This is a genus that has more than 1,000 species of flowering plants.
Impatiens plants are fast growers. They also grow in shady areas so you can choose to plant them under trees. These come in many bright colors like pink, purple, red, orange, yellow, white, etc. Some of its species grow up to a maximum of 1 foot. These flowers are very beautiful but one thing you have to keep in mind for this flower is that they need regular fertilizer and water. Otherwise, they will wither away. Impatiens USDA Hardiness Zones are 10 and 11.
Impatiens Accent Series, Impatiens Blitz Series, Impatiens Dazzler Series, Big Bounce Red, Fiesta Ole Peppermint, Bounce White, Fusion Glow, etc are some species of Impatiens.
8. Begonias
These flowers are very popular among gardeners. Available in many colors including yellow, pink, white, and orange, it is a genus of perennial flowering plants belonging to the Begonia family. This genus includes more than 2,000 species.
It is usually grown indoors and is famous as a houseplant. But it has all the goodness to plant it under the trees. USDA Hardiness Zones for Begonias are 10 and 11.
Fimbriata begonias, Rex begonias, Double picotee begonias, Wax Begonias, Reiger Begonias, Non-stop begonias, Dragon Wing Begonias, etc are some types of Begonias.
9. Primrose
Primrose (Primula vulgaris) is a flowering plant that belongs to the Primulaceae family. It is a perennial plant. While you may consider primroses to be flowering plants that grow well under trees in your garden, you have many options in terms of color. Different species of Primrose comes in different colors. Such as white, cream, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, and blue. Its USDA Hardiness Zones are 4 to 8.
Primula Baltic Amber, Primula Belarina Cobalt Blue, Primula denticulata, Primula Zebra Blue, Bumble Bee, Common Cowslip, etc are some common types of Primrose.
10. Tree Peony
When you are looking for flowering plants that grow well under trees, you may want to consider peonies. But let us tell you that not all peonies are ideal for a shady environment under trees. But you can choose tree peony which fulfills your requirement very well.
Tree peony belongs to Paeonia genus. This is a shrub that has woody stems.
White, red, pink, purple, yellow and some other colors of flowers grow on this shrub. Its USDA Hardiness Zones are 4 to 8.
