A tulip tree (or yellow poplar, as it’s also known) is a beautiful addition to any yard, providing shade and bright blooms for years to come. And while there’s plenty of companion vegetation that can brighten a garden underneath its boughs, there are also plenty of plants you should not grow under a tulip tree.
Tulip trees require moist, acidic soil, and their boughs can produce significant shade. You shouldn’t plant anything underneath a tulip tree that requires heavy water or sunlight, such as acacia, rosemary, ivy, ferns, or many types of veggies and flowers.
Interested in reading more about what plants specifically to avoid? Keep scrolling to learn which plants won’t work for you, and hear more about this fascinating tree.
Tulip Tree Roots Spread Far and Wide
Tulip trees are not considered invasive or particularly destructive trees, but that doesn’t mean that they always stick close to home.
Tulip tree roots can be found from one to three feet under the soil, growing as much as three times the horizontal spread of the branches.
This means that you’ll need to consider the roots not just when planting future trees but also when planning and creating nearby gardens as well. For example, tulip tree roots could easily disrupt deeper growing vegetation or uproot garden bed liners or decorative pavers.
You may consider planting flowers and shrubs with shallow root systems and building above-ground or even raised beds.
What Does A Tulip Tree Attract?
Tulip trees are more than just lovely flowers. They also have a role in promoting local wildlife and pollinators as well!
Hummingbirds and bees, in particular, will be attracted to tulip trees, hanging around in the early spring whenever the yellow blooms are present. So you may want to consider planting other flowers nearby to better support these native fauna populations.
The bad news? Pretty birds and bees aren’t all that you’ll find hanging around your tulip tree!
Yellow poplars are notorious for attracting aphids, which can cause a disease called “sooty mold”. Let’s talk a little more about that.
Nuisance Pests Are Attracted To Your Tulip Tree
Aphids also cause the appearance of “honeydew”; a sticky substance that can encourage colonies of ants to arrive on the scene. One study by the Annals of the Entomological Society of America also showed that honeydew is particularly interesting to wasps.
And more than just insects, tulip trees will often be home to four-legged critters and birds.
Squirrels and other rodents love to eat the seeds from flowers (as do songbirds), and deer and rabbits will happily snack on the leaves.
If you do find a lot of deer in your area and your tree is still a sapling, you might want to consider using a product like Safer Deer-Off Deer Repellent Stations, or Dalen Deer X Protective Netting.
Both the repellent stakes and the netting will help keep deer from damaging your fragile sapling as it grows.
Now that you know a little more about some of the characteristics of a tulip tree, read on to learn what plants to avoid placing under your yellow poplar.
Plants You Shouldn’t Grow Under a Tulip Tree
The Nebraska Forest Service states that the tulip tree has some very specific needs, and it won’t thrive if the soil is either too wet or too dry. Instead, the tree prefers a moist but not soaking-wet medium to grow in.
This can make it hard to plant anything that needs heavy watering or plants that like very dry soil, as it will affect how well your tulip tree grows.
In addition, plants that need plenty of sunlight may not be a good choice, as the tulip tree limbs will cast at least a partial shadow over the area underneath during the day.
Here are the specific plants you want to avoid planting underneath your tulip tree:
Acacia
Although an acacia shrub might seem like an excellent companion to your tree due to its preference for partial sun and matching blooms, these bright yellow bushes require alkaline soil versus the slight acidity a tulip tree does best in.
But that’s not the only problem with this plant.
Acacia can also cause quite a mess when it loses its flowers each year. If you don’t clean it up, the flowers will rot and may affect the acidity of the soil surrounding your tulip tree.
Coneflower
Although it may be tempting to plant a few of these summer blooms to brighten the area underneath your tree, resist the urge to plant coneflowers in particular.
These beautiful and colorful flowers not only prefer full sun, but they also do best with dry soil, making them a poor match for your yellow poplar.
Dahlias
Unfortunately, tulip trees often suffer from aphid infestations. This not only attracts other pests but can lead to the presence of sooty mold.
So what does this have to do with dahlias?
Aphids don’t only love your tulip trees. They also love dahlias!
So although dahlias may seem like a good companion plant due to their preferred light levels and soil conditions, planting large amounts of these flowers can attract aphids to your tulip tree, leading to problems down the road or making any infestations you currently have even worse.
By the way, if you’re seeing that you have aphids around your property, the reason really could be that you have plants that they are attracted to in your garden! Head on over to our article about the flowers that aphids love, to learn more.
English Ivy
Although English Ivy may look like a classic and beautiful addition to your garden, the truth is it’s a very invasive plant that can quickly weaken your tulip tree.
The University of Maryland Extension reports that English ivy will not only block your tree from receiving sunlight but can also encourage disease to infest and spread in mature trees.
It also is known to damage bark, putting your tree at risk for rot and pest infestations.
So keep it far away from your garden and your tulip trees if you’d like them to have a long and healthy season.
Ferns
Although a bed of ferns can add depth and color year-round to any garden, they’re best kept in a separate bed from your tulip tree.
Ferns not only require very heavy watering, but they may require more shade than your tulip tree’s branches can provide during the hot parts of the year.
Hibiscus
Much like ferns, hibiscus grows best when it’s in very wet conditions and likes to be watered every other day.
This can create a serious soil problem for your tulip tree, which prefers only slightly moist dirt. Too wet of soil, and your tree will seriously suffer in the long term.
Not only did a study by Forest Ecology and Management show the tree will be stressed, but it also may suffer from root rot, permanently damaging the tree.
So keep this beautiful tropical bloom out in the yard, in the sun, and far away from your tulip trees!
Lavender
Although it can grow in slightly acidic soil, lavender actually grows best in alkaline dirt, making it a poor choice to go under your tulip tree.
It also needs very sunny, dry conditions, and may not grow best when in the partially shaded region under a tulip tree’s branches.
Lilacs
Beautiful, aromatic lilac bushes might seem like a no-brainer to plant underneath your tulip tree.
After all, much like the yellow poplar, lilacs attract bees. They can be a great addition to any garden that wants to help out the local pollinators.
Lilacs have one big downfall, however, and that’s their sun requirement, they need plenty of sunshine during the day, otherwise, they won’t bloom.
So skip the shady area under your tree, and plant lilacs nearby to turn your yard into a pollinator haven.
Most Veggies
Unfortunately, most veggies thrive best in alkaline soil. This includes plants like asparagus, broccoli, beans, and peas, among others.
And even if you have a vegetable plant that might prefer the acidic soil your tulip tree will grow best in, chances are high that it will need plenty of sun during the day.
With the long branches of your tulip tree casting shadows on the plants underneath, you risk creating a garden that won’t produce the tasty vegetables you’re looking for.
Passionflowers
Although passionflowers come in a wide range of style choices (in the vine, shrub, or even tree form), none make for a good option for planting under your tulip tree.
Not only do passionflowers require full sun, but they do best in very dry soil, which may create a problem for your tulip tree.
So consider planting passionflowers in nearby garden beds to give your tulip tree the moist soil it really needs to look its best.
Rosemary
Not only does rosemary need plenty of suns (making it a poor choice for the shady space under your tulip tree branches), this deliciously scented herb is a poor match for your under-tree garden due to soil conditions as well.
Rosemary will thrive in sandy, dry soil, which is very different from the moistened soil that tulip trees prefer.
At best, letting your tulip tree dry out too much will affect the blooms. At worst, it can impact future growth, making it vulnerable to disease and damage.
Here’s What Plants Will Grow Well Under a Tulip Tree
Now that you know what won’t work, here’s a list of a few plants that will. These plants all have similar moisture and soil requirements as a tulip tree, and they grow well in the shade or partial shade.
You may want to consider using these plants in the gardening space under your tree:
- Hostas
- Impatiens
- Flowers such as Virginia Bluebells, Foamflowers, Jacob’s Ladder, and Bleeding Hearts
- Epimediums
- Herbs such as stone mint, sage, or citronella
- Bee balm
Rule of thumb: When searching your local garden center, ask for any plants that enjoy at least partial shade, and acidic soil. You also want to look for plants that don’t require excessively dry or wet soil, but rather something in between.
But – there’s even more! For a full list of plants that we recommend planting, head on over to our article about the best plants to plant under your tulip tree!
You Should Consider A Tulip Tree Grove!
And, if you are interested in growing more tulip trees, you might even consider starting a tulip tree grove by planting multiple trees close to (or even underneath) one another.
If you have the space to do it, a tulip grove can create a stunning garden of yellow blooms in the springtime and every year after.
Just be sure that you’re leaving plenty of space from piping, your foundation, and any other structures that may be affected by the tulip tree’s root systems.
Here’s Where Tulip Trees Grow Best
Your tulip tree (and any plants under it) will need some specific requirements to grow, so when planning out your space, these are a few things you’ll want to keep an eye out for.
While it may still survive under other conditions, blooms and the overall growth rate may be seriously affected by:
- Alkaline soil
- Less than full sunlight
- Dry or very wet soil
- Plenty of space for your tree’s limbs to spread out and for the root system to grow
By growing your tulip tree in the best possible spot, you not only ensure that your tree will thrive, but you can help any plants underneath it to stay healthy and happy all season long.
And if you do plan on growing a tulip tree, make sure to head on over to our article about a tulip tree’s growth timeline, so you get a clear idea of what to expect on your tree journey!
What If Your Soil Doesn’t Have The Right PH?
If you’re concerned about changing the pH of your soil, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
The University of Florida reports that adding peat moss or other organic matter (like compost) can help bring down pH, making your soil the perfect acidic conditions for your tulip tree to thrive.
You can also dry a product like this soil additive, Jobe’s Organics Fertilizer. This add-in can make alkaline soil more acidic when used correctly, creating favorable growing conditions for your tree.
Worried that your soil doesn’t have the correct moisture or pH? Consider using a product like the Kensizer Soil Tester, which can give you accurate, instant readings from your soil, taking the guesswork out of your gardening.
Tulip Trees Can Make Quite the Mess
While tulip trees produce beautiful yellow blooms yearly, they also can cause quite a problem for any vegetation found below.
Tulip trees drop their flower petals after each blooming season and often drip sap as well. You may want to consider this when planning out the space underneath, so you can be sure that plants and garden accessories won’t be affected.
It may be best to place plants with plenty of space between them for raking or purchase a lightweight leafblower such as the Ego Power+ Cordless Leafblower to make cleanup a breeze!
That’s a Wrap!
Due to a tulip tree’s specific soil and water requirements, not every plant is a good fit for a garden underneath its limbs and branches.
Instead, you’ll want to focus your search on plants that need shade to partial sun, acidic soil, and only moderate watering.
References:
Jinshan, Ye, and Wang Zhangrong. “Changes in some important physiological characters of the hybrid tulip tree and parents under water stress.” Scientia Silvae Sinicae 38.3 (2002): 20-26.
Kolb, T. E., et al. “Growth response of northern red-oak and yellow-poplar seedlings to light, soil moisture and nutrients in relation to ecological strategy.” Forest Ecology and Management 38.1-2 (1990): 65-78.
Krombein, Karl V. “Wasp Visitors of Tulip-Tree Honeydew at Dunn Loring, Virginia (Hymenoptera Aculeata).” Annals of the Entomological Society of America 44.1 (1951): 141-143.
McCarthy, Edward F. Yellow poplar characteristics, growth, and management. No. 1488-2016-123967. 1933.
Regan, Richard, and Glen Fisher. “Tulip tree aphid.” Ornamentals Northwest Archives 10 (1986): 7.
Tree, Tulip. “Liriodendron tulipifera.” May-June intermediate green*# L 6: 75-100.
