Hi, I am planning to plant tulips, hyacinth etc... in a tree bed where I will also plant Japanese Maples (with trunks approximately 2''). The flowers will be pretty packed (15 cm - 5'' apart), but how much free area should I leave around the tree trunks? I am planning to leave about 40-50 cm (15-20''), is this enough or should I leave more? My primary concern is the health of the trees, so I don't mind if in future the tree roots damage and kill the flowers. Can tulips and hyacinths at such distance also cause harm to Japanese Maples or hinder their growth significantly? If so, what should be the distance between the trees and these flowers? Thanks in advance
I regularly plant all kinds of bulbs and perennials under JMs without any regard to keeping a distance from the trunk, with no obvious deleterious effect to the maples. I am more concerned with rodents eating the bulbs (and some of the JM roots at the same time for dessert!) or weevil grubs eating the JM roots. Gomero
Thanks for starting this thread. I had exactly the same question too. I just bought some tulips, hyacinths and crocuses today and am planning on planting them about 40-50cm away from the trunk as well. My tree (a sango kaku fyi) was newly planted this May so I'm still a bit hesitant to dig holes approx 20 deep which may run into the new roots. I'm not sure if my tree is established enough for its roots to be disturbed by the digging. The thought of verticillium infecting the tree by digging worries me. Thoughts? Please tell me I'm overreacting.
