Tree Bed Planting
Choosing Plants
When deciding which plants to use in a tree bed, consider these tips:
- Annuals, perennials, and bulbs can be beautiful additions to a tree bed as long as you remember that the tree's health comes first.
- Use small plants and bulbs. Large plants require large planting holes, which damage tree roots, and plants with large root systems compete with the tree for water and nutrients.
- Select plants that can take abuse. A tree bed is a harsh environment, and plants need to be tough to survive.
- Choose plants with low water requirements. Phrases like "drought tolerant" and "good for xeriscaping" tell you that a plant doesn't need much water.
- Dig carefully with a cultivator or trowel, and choose a new spot if you encounter tree roots over 1 inch in diameter. Using a shovel or spade increases your chances of injuring the tree's roots.
- Don't raise the tree bed's soil level when you plant.
- Install a tree guard to protect plants and tree roots.
Plants for Sun (also good for newly planted trees)
Annuals:
- Centaurea cineraria (dusty miller)
- Helichrysum petiolare (licorice plant)
- Portulaca species (moss rose)
- Tagetes species (marigold)
- Tropaeolum species (nasturtium)
- Verbena species
- Zinnia species—especially Z. angustifolia
Perennials:
- Cerastium tomentosum (snow-in-summer)
- Liriope muscari (lilyturf)
- Oenothera fruticosa (sundrops)
- Sedum species—groundcover types
- Thymus serpyllum (wild thyme)
Plants for Shade (also good for established trees)
Annuals:
- Begonia species
- Impatiens species
- Lobelia species
- Solenostemon scutellarioides (coleus)
- Viola species (pansy)
Perennials:
- Bergenia cordifolia (Siberian tea)
- Heuchera species (coral bell)
- Hosta species—small species only
- Lamium maculatum (spotted deadnettle)
- Liriope muscari (lilyturf)
Bulbs
Because street trees lack leaves in early spring, spring bulbs—which generally prefer at least a half-day of sun—are easily grown in sunny beds before the tree leafs out.
- Crocus species
- Hyacinthoides hispanica (bluebells)—best in shade
- Chionodoxa species (glory-of-the-snow)
- Convallaria majalis (lily-of-the-valley)
- Narcissus species (daffodil)
- Muscari species (grape hyacinth)
- Eranthis hyemalis (winter aconite)
- Species (as opposed to hybrid) tulips
- Galanthus nivalis (snowdrop)
