Shady Areas Plants

The shade of trees is a welcome relief from the summer heat. However, the shade can limit how well the grass grows below the tree. Don’t fight trying to grow grass in shady areas.

We will describe some options, other than grass or rings of mulch to add below your tree's shady areas. By planting other plants or flowers under the trees, you can protect the tree trunks and roots from damage by  lawn movers and weed whipper cuts. In addition, the flowers and plants add a new, interesting dimension to your landscape.

Two common plants which are hardy and easy to care for Hosta and Ferns.

Hosta’s are a plant with broad leaf and is a perennial that sprouts up every year. There are different green colors and even white striped leaf variations. It’s a great way to cover the areas under trees, that experience a lot of shade.

Ferns are an elegant way to add height dimensions to the shady areas. And they typically grow back year after year, making them easy options for ground cover.

There are several native and non-native flowers which grow well in the spring.

Some Minnesota Native flowers to consider are Trillium, Blood Root, Columbine and Dutchman’s Britches. All are adapted to the shady areas and typically flower in early spring, before the trees canopies are fully filled out.

Iris are flowers that bloom in Early summer (May – June). They are bulbs in the ground that regrow every year.  They come in various colors such as purple and yellow. If they become crowded after a few years, the flowers my become smaller or less frequent. Simply transplant the some of the crowded bulbs to a new area.

Daffodils are one of the first flowers to come up in the spring (March – May). The Daffodils bright yellow flowers are a welcome sight after the snow melts.

We encourage you to mix and match the different options to give your yard a polished, easy look without having to fight trying to grow the common varieties of grass below the trees on your property

Contact us if you would like us to help you plan your landscape.