Attempting to raise plants under a tree ’s canopy presents certain challenges . Tree roots concentrate in the top 6 inches of the soil and can spread far beyond the leaf canopy . To help perennial and medulla oblongata cope , I recommend the following steps .
Mulch in spring . give an annual 2 - in - thick layer of mulch in springiness . part composted leafage are idealistic , but compost softwood bark works well too ( top photo ) . Keep mulch 12 inches aside from tree diagram bole .
Feed your plants ahead of time . Broadcast agranular organic fertiliser thinly just as bulbs and perennial begin to grow . Because they typically get down grow earlier than trees , they can take up the nutrient before tree roots become active .
pee in summer . Deeply irrigate the garden once a week in summertime if it has n’t rain down . Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree require a not bad business deal of water system , and supplementing natural rain will profit both the tree and the flowers to a lower place .
See9 Perennials to Liven Up Your Spring Garden .
William Cullina is the executive director of the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia .
hunky-dory Gardening Recommended Products
ARS telescope Long Reach Pruner
okay horticulture receives a delegacy for items purchased through links on this site , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate ad political program .
Pruning Simplified : A Step - by - Step Guide to 50 Popular Trees and Shrubs
Fiskars Garden Tool Caddy with Removable Small Tool Storage for Indoor and Outdoor Gardening Use , Made with Recycled Plastic
Get our latest tips , how - to articles , and instructional videos sent to your inbox .
Signing you up …
Related Articles
How to Create an Urban Oasis with Containers: Expert Tips and Ideas
Shade Gardening: How to Plant Under Mature Trees and More
Expert Tips for a Late-Summer Show
How and What to Plant Under a Tree
Join Fine horticulture for a free engaging live webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a notable flora diagnostician as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals technical manager …
When I spotted a special sand dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few calendar month ago , I knew I was in trouble . With a delightful color practice …
When we only prioritize plant we want over plants our landscape painting needs , each season is filled with a never - ending listing of chores : pruning , hook , watering , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …
Subscribe today and save up to 47%
Video
Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat
You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden architect Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to trip on something , but because you might be dive - fail by a couplet …
4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden
Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill
Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage
4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard
All Access member get more
Sign up for afree trialand get access to ALL our regional content , plus the rest of the penis - only content program library .
set out Free Trial
Get complete site access to expert advice , regional content , and more , plus the print magazine .
Start your gratuitous trial
Already a member?sign in
Photo: Steve Aitken
