Plants to grow under trees: part 1
In the first of our two-part guide, we highlight plants to grow under trees in winter and spring.
Overview
Plants that are to be grown under trees and at the bases of hedges need to be chosen with care. The soil in these spots of the garden can be dry, depleted of nutrients and shady, and not all plants will grow in those conditions.
Read about plants that will grow under trees in summer and autumn.
However, if you prepare the soil well, choose the right plants and help them settle in properly, certain plants will thrive in these tricky spots.
Choose from our selection of plants below, which will give colour and interest in winter and spring.
Snowdrops
The demurely nodding flowers of snowdrops (Galanthus) brave the coldest weather in late winter. They do particularly well under the canopy of deciduous trees. Plant them 'in the green' and divide established clumps after flowering.
Flowers: January to February
Hepaticas
The European, woodland forms of hepatica love dappled shade, producing pink, blue or white flowers in early spring. 'Eisvogel' is a great choice, as it shows up well in dark places.
Flowers: February to March
Lungwort
A tough but pretty groundcover plant, Pulmonaria offers bee-friendly flowers in a range of colours, from purple to blue to pink, red and white. These stand above silver-flecked foliage. A British native wild flower, it requires little care.
Flowers: February to March
Wood anemones
Native woodlander Anemone nemorosa flourishes under deciduous trees and shrubs, producing drifts of scented white flowers just before the canopy comes into leaf. Cultivated forms included double-flowered 'Vestal'.
Flowers: March to April
Bloodroot
Any cool, shady location suits this little woodlander, Sanguinaria canadensis. Each bloom is a perfect rosette of white petals, opening just a few centimetres from the ground, above clasping leaves.
Flowers: March to April
Primroses
One of the first spring flowers, our native primrose, Primula vulgaris, will light up your garden for months on end with its cheery, pale yellow blooms. Allow it to naturalise in shady woodland borders and banks, or plant into pots and window boxes.
Flowers: March to May
Bluebells
Plant this fragrant native wildflower, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, for a sea of blue beneath trees in spring. The bulbs will multiply happily in the dappled shade of deciduous trees, in moist but well-drained soil.
Flowers: April to May
Comfrey
Symphytum is very easy to grow in damp soil and its flowers attract early foraging bees. There are several colours to choose from, including white and red, but 'Hidcote Blue' is a favourite, great for filling gaps between shrubs.
Flowers: April to May
Epimedium
These robust shade-lovers spread quickly, covering the ground with their leathery foliage. This is infused with rich bronze hues in early spring and turns green over summer. Above the leaves rise airy clouds of tiny flowers.
Flowers: April to May
Lesser periwinkle
The pretty flowers of Vinca minor give a long season of interest under trees. 'Gertrude Jekyll' is a compact variety with pure white flowers and evergreen leaves, ideally for brightening shady areas.
Flowers: April to September
