A wooded area does not have to remain bare. It is true that growing conditions are more difficult because of the lack of sunlight, the relative dryness of the soil and competition from roots, but the challenge is not impossible to meet.
Special conditions
The trees, whether they produce a dense shade or let a little sunshine through, offer very particular growing conditions at their feet. The light is weak during part of the day, the rainfall, if not abundant and prolonged, has difficulty to cross the foliage which implies a certain dryness of the soil, without forgetting that the large trees have extensive roots which literally pump water and nutrients on a vast zone.
This is a very worrying picture but don't panic! Some plants are perfectly adapted to these difficult situations, you just have to know how to choose them and maintain them by adding water and compost regularly.
The advantages of planting under trees
Plants planted under evergreen trees will be better protected from frost in winter. The soil is rarely soggy and the plants installed will rarely suffer from root asphyxia.
Finally, the shade provided by the trees will be conducive to the planting of many plants that appreciate these conditions.
What plants can I plant under the trees?
Let's take a look at the English gardens, which are often planted with trees and yet are opulent and colorful. There are beautiful rhododendron and camellia beds in acidic soil. Azaleas will also find their place there. Among the perennials, the foxglove will bring verticality to the whole, the columbine will add its touch of lightness with its cut foliage and its so particular flowers while the hellebore will take over the blooming in winter proud of its immaculate bells or sprinkled with purple. To add color, perennial geraniums and bergenia, an easy-to-grow plant with fuchsia-pink blooms, will have the best effect.
Plants with remarkable and sometimes variegated foliage, such as Hostas, which come in many varieties, will brighten up the shady areas, as will heuchers with their silvery reflections or acanthus with their large varnished leaves.
In the foreground of these beds you can plant small bulbs such as cyclamens which form real carpets by naturalizing. The wood hyacinth is another example, as well as the lily of the valley.
Violets will do well in borders, accompanied by creeping buggles or periwinkles that form an excellent ground cover with bluish or white flowers.
