The ground beneath a spruce tree is often barren and therefore visually unappealing. To enhance this area, underplanting makes sense. It can also protect the spruce from drought. But spruces are shallow-rooted and underplanting can be difficult
Which plants are suitable for planting under a spruce?
Perennials, ground covers, grasses, trees and ferns that can tolerateacidic soil, shade and drought are suitable for planting under a spruce tree. These plants fit in well:
- Clematis or forest aster
- Ivy or Small Periwinkle
- Bearskin fescue or forest marbel
- Cotoneaster or Mahonia
- worm fern or spotted fern
Planting spruce with perennials
The perennials that you plant under a spruce should be able to cope with theflatly spread rootsof the conifer. At best, they also originally come from coniferous forests and can get used topoorer lighting conditions. For example, the following are suitable:
- Carpet clematis (Clematis)
- Bergenie
- Bluebells
- Knapweed
- Waldsteinie
- Forest Aster
Plant spruce with ground cover plants
The dreary root area of a spruce can be beautified with small but colorful ground cover plants. Please note, however, that these aredrought tolerantanddo not require full sun. Here is a suitable selection of underplantings:
- Ivy
- Storksbill
- Elf Flower
- Small Periwinkle
- Fat Man
Planting spruce with grasses
Grasses create a natural-looking overall picture at the foot of the spruce andhardly challenge it for nutrients or water Grasses that feel comfortable underneath Picea can tolerate root pressure and can withstand drought and have no problems with the acidic substrate. Such specimens include:
- Bearskin Fescue
- Forest Marbel
- Rasen-Schmiele
- Shadow Sedge
- Giant sedge
Planting spruce with trees
It may be obvious that other trees cannot grow under a spruce tree. But there are certain specimens that have very shallow roots, remain small and can also tolerate the shade cast by the spruce. However, do not place these treesdirectly on the tree disc, but at a distance of at least 50 cm from the trunk. Suitable are:
- Mahony
- Cotoneaster
- Cranberries
- Blueberries
- Cherry Laurel
Planting spruce with ferns
Similar to grasses, ferns at the foot of the spruce provide a natural andtypical forest flairThey are well adapted and some of them can even cope with temporary drought. Feel free to plantseveral of them to push the dreariness aside. Among other things, it fits:
- worm fern
- Spotted Fern
- Thornfern
- Lady fern
Tip
Snacking under the spruce
If you like to snack and can ensure a regular water supply, you can also plant wild strawberries under the spruce. They like to spread over the area and bring not only fresh greenery, but also delicious fruits.
