What Type of Flowers to Plant Under Trees?

Lily of the Valley

• For a thick groundcover featuring fragrant, dainty flowers, lily of the valley works well under trees. The native perennial plant thrives in partially shady conditions where it grows from 6 to 12 inches in height. The white, bell-shaped flowers provide a strong, sweet fragrance in the spring. Lily of the valley thrives under trees since it requires well-drained soil that doesn't get too damp, making it practically maintenance free. The plant spreads quickly and may seem aggressive in its expansion. Deer find lily of the valley unappetizing, making it ideal for areas where you want to keep the animals out of the garden.

Solomon's Seal

• Tall, arching leaves with small white bell-shaped flowers make Solomon's seal a great choice for planting underneath trees. A native plant, Solomon's seal is a perennial beauty that grows best in partial to full shade, making it ideal for growing under large, shady trees. The plant prefers moist conditions in well-drained soil, making watering important, especially when rainfall decreases in the summer. Solomon's seal grows up to 4 feet tall, featuring branches with alternating leaves containing parallel veins. After the white flowers fades, the plant produces berries that turn dark blue by summer's end. In the fall, the leaves turn yellow. For the best effect, plant Solomon's seal in clumps in the back of shorter shade-loving plants.

Daffodils

• Plant daffodils for bright color under your trees. Daffodils bloom early in the spring, making them ideal for creating color and visual interest early in the growing season. Plus, the flowers get plenty of filtered light since the trees have not produced their new leaves yet. Plant daffodil bulbs in the fall and make sure the area gets at least half a day of sunlight. Avoid planting daffodils under evergreens. To keep the bulbs flowering from year to year, plan on giving them extra water and fertilizer. The best time to add fertilizer is when planting the bulbs. Work the soil deeply, up to 12 inches, even through the bulbs should be planted just 6 inches below the soil surface. This allows the fertilizer and water to reach the roots growing below the bulb. For the best effect, plant at least three to a dozen of the same variety of bulbs to create a drift of color.