Planting under Maple Tree

Anyone have any experience growing things under maples. I think it's a sugar maple. It has had tulips under it in the past tho' less and less bloom every year. I do not maintain them at all, but I would like to do something there soon and am in planning stage. I would prefer to put something edible, or otherwise beneficial to pollinators, something low maintenance would be great too. It's very shady there and it's on the north side of the house. Any tips/leads/suggestions would be very welcome. Thanx in advance. Light and Love to you all.

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Permalink Reply by GardenThymeGirl on November 2, 2008 at 7:22pm

Have you considered putting daffodils under your tree for spring color? The maple is deciduous so there should be enough sunshine. Also--squirrels and rodents tend to avoid eating the bulbs....though the squirrels may displace some of your bulbs to other places in your yard or your neighbor's yard.

You can put pieris ( there is a great variegated pieris I love), clethra, hydrangeas, camellias around your tree as under plantings. Of course--there are many other plants that you can choose too. I would layer the plants around the tree if it were mine. I would put the taller plants near the tree (not too close) and put shorter plants in front of them in a relaxed zig zag pattern around your tree.