If you’re lucky enough to have a big maple on your property, you know the joy it can bring – hearing the wind blow through the leaves, enjoying the cool shade in summer, watching the leaves turn vibrant autumn colors. Maybe you are also struggling with a bare patch beneath it where nothing seems to…
Depending on who you ask, willow trees can be polarizing; while some gardeners love them, others curse these trees for being difficult to keep alive, water-seeking plants of misery. Whether you love willows or you hate them, one thing is certain: it’s difficult to grow plants under their canopy. You can do it though if…
Sycamore trees are the statement piece of any yard. Their massive height paired with mottled bark makes them an attractive tree. If you have one in your yard or are thinking of planting one, you may be wondering what you can and can’t grow under a sycamore tree. Sycamore trees have a wide canopy, so…
It can be difficult to downright impossible to grow certain plants under the canopy of pine trees. Grasses struggle and end up wilting away, plants look sickly and fade to dried-up husks of regret, so is there anything you can plant under pine trees? Pine trees have many roots that compete fiercely for water and…
Planting anything under a maple tree can present unique challenges. Many people who have tried their hand at landscaping under the thick, dry, dark canopy of big maple trees have only thrown their hands up in resignation. Maple trees have expansive roots that greedily seek any moisture and nutrients in the soil, leaving you wondering…
Your backyard oasis looks like an absolute paradise—it must be because of the palm tree! You can bring even more of a tropical flair to your yard by planting other species at its base. But before you begin, you should know there are several species that you must NOT plant under your palm tree! Palm…
Willow trees make an excellent addition to the landscape. Their wispy branches and narrow leaves make them attractive yard trees. If you’re thinking about planting something under your willow tree, you may wonder what will and will not grow under a willow tree. Plants that should not be planted under a willow tree include cotoneaster, mums, asparagus,…
Grass doesn’t typically grow well under oak trees because it needs full sun and a lot of water. Once oak trees are established, too much water can bring on fungus or root rot. So, here begins our quest to identify some easy going foliage that will grow best under your oak tree. Plants that are…
Spruce trees are attractive ornamental trees that provide color year-round in our parks and yards. While they look just fine on their own, you may be considering planting under your spruce to make it pop with color in the spring and summer. Unfortunately, this is more difficult than it sounds! Plants that require high nutrients,…
The space beneath the towering, majestic pine tree in your backyard is beckoning you to plant something beneath it. Let’s be honest, you would like to grow a plant there as well! Hold up — before you get started, you should know that there are some plants that you should NOT grow under a pine…