Plants for Tree Beds

Annuals, perennials, and bulbs can be beautiful additions to a tree bed, as long as you remember that the tree’s health comes first.

Plants for Tree Beds

Download this tipsheet to print at home (PDF) ›

Here are some tips:

• Never raise the soil level when you install new plants—this can rot the bark at the base of the tree.
• Use small plants and bulbs—large plants require deeper holes that can damage tree roots and often have large root systems that compete with the tree for water and nutrients.
• Choose plants with low water requirements. Plant tags and catalog descriptions that say “drought tolerant” and “good for xeriscaping” tell you that a plant doesn’t need much water.
• Select plants that can take abuse. A tree bed is a harsh environment: Choose tough plants that can survive and thrive.
• Install a tree guard to protect the bed.

Plants for Sun

These choices are best beneath newly planted trees.

Plants for Shade

Annuals
Begonia (Begonia × semperflorens)
Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides)
Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)
Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)
Pansy (Viola tricolor) (some are winter hardy)

Perennials
Elephant’s ears (Bergenia cordifolia)
Spotted deadnettle (Lamium maculatum)
Lilyturf (Liriope muscari)
Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

Spring Bulbs