Flowering bushes are a beautiful sight, but the bare earth underneath is less so. You can remedy this, for example, with a top layer of bark mulch, which must be renewed regularly. Alternatively, you can simply plant your shrubs underneath.
What plants can you plant under bushes?
Suitable plants for planting under shrubs should require little root space, tolerate shade and tolerate a lack of water. Examples include crocuses, snowdrops, winter aconites, ground cover, Japanese rainbow fern, spotted deadnettle, fairy flowers and lily of the valley.
Does underplanting shrubs really make sense?
It makes sense to plant under shrubs for more than just visual reasons. For example, if you plant ground cover there, weeds will not be able to grow there. Planting also reduces soil erosion. But the most important thing is certainly the look. Small spring flowers provide a little color in your garden very early in the year.
Which plants are suitable for this?
Plants that need relatively little space for their roots, tolerate shade well and can also cope with a lack of water are particularly suitable for the space under your bushes. Well-leafed shrubs do not allow much water to reach the ground and provide plenty of shade.
Numerous spring flowers such as crocuses, snowdrops and winter aconites are not shade plants, but still feel at home under many trees and large bushes. This is because the bushes do not have any leaves when the early bloomers are in bloom, so the small flowers get enough light.
Plants that thrive under bushes:
- Crocuses
- Snowdrops
- Winterlings
- Groundcover
- Japanese Rainbow Fern
- Spotted deadnettle
- fairy flowers
- Lily of the valley
What should I consider when planting underneath?
The easiest way to do underplanting is when you are just planting your shrubs. However, it becomes difficult if your shrub has been growing for a few years and its roots have spread. Then you have to be careful not to damage these roots. It might help to pile up a little soil.
In order for the plants under a bush to develop well in the long term, they need a little care. Make sure you have enough water and water the plants at least occasionally during a long dry period in summer. Remove fallen leaves and/or needles. Coniferous litter in particular easily leads to acidic soil.
Tip
Set colorful accents in your shrub bed with a few flower bulbs.
