Coniferous trees have certain conditions that not every plant can cope with. It is therefore important to obtain appropriate information before planting under fir trees. Find out below which plants you can plant under your fir trees.
What plants can you plant under fir trees?
Plants that require little light and thrive in slightly acidic soil are suitable for planting under fir trees. These include ferns, mosses, grasses, succulents and flowering plants such as astilbe, monkshood, cashmere bergenia and cranesbill species as well as low trees such as cushion viburnum, rhododendron, blackberry, holly, carpet dogwood and rowanberry.
The special conditions under fir trees
Fir trees often have very dense needlework. If there are several fir trees next to each other, almost no sunlight falls on the ground below. In addition, the falling needles create an acidic soil climate. Real firs have deep roots and do not fight for space and soil with underplanted plants. However, hemlock firs, sickle firs and also spruces are shallow-rooted, which can also lead to a space problem. Plants for planting under fir trees must therefore:
- make do with very little light
- thrive in slightly acidic soil
- be shallow-rooted if it is one of the above-mentioned shallow-rooted conifers
These plants grow under fir trees
Now you don't need to despair; There are definitely some plants that can cope with these conditions. Ferns, mosses and many different types of grass, for example, have no problem with such locations. Succulents are also quite undemanding. There are also a number of flowering plants and small trees that are suitable for planting under fir trees. Here is an overview:
Flowering plants for underplanting fir trees
| Name | Flowering time | Flower color | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astilbe (magnificent spar) | June to September | Various bright colors | Decorative as a dry plant even in winter |
| Monkshood | September/October | Violet | Poisonous |
| Cashmere Bergenia | March to April | Pink, violet | Not wintergreen |
| Species of cranesbills | Different depending on variety | Violet | Pretty foliage |
Low trees for planting under fir trees
Shrubs and small trees usually cope better with shade than flowering plants. Some of them retain their leaves even in winter - like the fir trees. Below is a selection of low trees for underplanting your fir trees.
| Name | Features | Wintergreen |
|---|---|---|
| Pillow Snowball | White flowers, blue berries | Yes |
| Rhododendron | Typical plant for underplanting fir trees, rich in flowers | Mostly yes |
| Mockberry | Decorative red fruits | Yes |
| Holly | Poisonous, beautiful red fruits, very shade tolerant | Yes |
| Carpet Dogwood | Ground cover plant with pretty white flowers | Yes |
| Rowberry | Edible red fruits | No, beautiful autumn colors |
Tip
You can also plant edibles under your fir trees! Just think of a forest. What grows there? Sure, blueberries, cranberries and wild strawberries!
