Hi! Does anyone have any suggestions on an edible companion plant for Cornus kousa? I know Cornus kousa has shallow roots so it would have to be something that is shallow rooted as well? Because I presume that plants with a deeper root system would outcompete the Cornus...(And it can't be plants that have a very very deep root systme as there is no place for a large tree)... I was thinking wood strawberry but I am not sure on the compatibility between the two...I would also be willing to grow herbs...Anything really, as long as it is useful and edible... Suggestions are very welcome!
How big is this space? There's a mature Kousa in a Seattle park more than 50' across - are you thinking yours is only going to grow something like 10' tall, or have you allowed for an actual tree at least 20' tall or wide? Everything except certain desert plants produces a network of roots just below the surface, whether there is also a percentage of specialized roots that goes deeper than the rest or not. The reason for this is that in humid forest regions in particular the air and organic litter are concentrated near the surface. As the dogwood is the much bigger plant of the two your main issue is going to be what small edible plant is going to be able to endure the competition from the tree, not the other way around. Possibly Gaultheria procumbens would work in your situation, this would produce a more trim and substantial looking carpet than a strawberry. While still producing useful fruits, albeit not ones you are going to be eating like strawberries.
I'm finding golden oregano (Origanum vulgare 'Aureum') very useful in situations like this: seems to do well under deciduous trees, anyway, and brightens up the shady space beneath the canopy. Not very apparent in the winter, though.
