Hi all! I have a huge tree in my backyard that is pretty shady underneath. Some light gets under it, but not a lot. I would love to plant a bunch of flowers under it. Would anything grow under there?? There is some Ivy, I would love to add some color though.
Hostas! They come in a huge variety of sizes and colors (I like the variegated) and do have nice blossoms.
Hostas are always beautiful -- but even they might struggle beneath, for example, a Norway maple. Everything depends on the kind of tree and the depth of shade. And also with shade sometimes you get very poor, dry soil -- anything planted there will have to compete with the roots of the tree itself for water and nutrients. On the other hand, there are many trees -- oaks, for example -- with deep roots and lighter shade, under which you can grow many things like astilbe, anemone, heuchera, cimicifuga, perennial geraniums, and a whole variety of spring flowers and bulbs that will bloom before the tree has fully leafed-out. So that's where we have to start: What kind of tree is it? Got a picture of the spot?
Impatients and wax begonias will do well under trees in your area, even under conifers. Morning glory will also work but, its so invasive you will hate it for years to come.
Primulas would be another option. They would also survive the winter on the west coast if it wasn't too cold.
What about this shade loving ground cover? Baby's Tears, Angel's Tears, Mind-your-own-business Soleirolia soleirolii
here is a list for medium to dense shade: vinca (lesser periwinkle) convallaria majalis (Lily-of-the-valley) primula (primroses) Rodgersia (Rodger's flower) Arenaria (Sandworts) pachysandras Galium odoratum (Sweet woodruff) Trilliums Mertensia pulmonarioides (Virginia bluebells) Hostas Lilyturfs Gentiana (gentians) Helleborus Persicaria affinis (Himalayan fleeceflower) And of course there are a multitude of groundcovers and shrubs as well, but you asked for flowers. If you would like some more just ask.
heuchera, hardy geranium (for the more bright spots), lily of the valley (can be invasive, though), daylily/ditch lily (the ones with the orange flower), ferns - the japanese painted are very colorful.
What about something unique - Toad Lilies (Tricyrtis sp. ) they have orchid like flowers ( not overly large, but interesting). I believe they are from Asia. They are available at most nurseries now.
Evolo, Jenny stated that she was intending to plant under a huge tree---"some light gets under it, but not a lot". I have a bed full of blooming violets which are thriving under these very conditions.
toad lillies may not be entirey suitable if soil is dry as they require moist soil. I have mature fir trees on the east side of my place (shade for most of the day) sucking every ounce of moisture from soil. After adding soil amender (compost) if required, try bergenia, solomon's seal, spring bulbs, lily of the valley, hostas, spiderwort, centauria, heuchera, colombine, foxglove, periwinkle. Have fun, you have lots of options.
I agree all the advise given for toad lilies suggest moist conditions, although I have grown them in a nutrient poor, dry soil, for about 5-6 years and they flower each year for me and the bunch is larger each year.
Woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata) is beautiful in my shade garden right now. It will die down later. Rue anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides) is a powerhouse of white flowers on a tiny plant in the spring. Columbine takes light shade in stride. However, I am not sure these of most of the other suggestions would fare well pitted against ivy (Hedera) in a battle for resources under a tree. Fern-leaf peonies. I have a red one that is awesome this year. Two fist-sized red flowers with centers of gold anthers. What did you put in there? Any success to talk about?
