As a Mediterranean plant, the fig in this country is grateful for winter protection and increased pollination also ensures its well-being. With the right underplanting you can kill two birds with one stone
Which plants are suitable for planting under a fig tree?
Perennials, ground cover plants, herbs, grasses and early bloomers are suitable for planting under a fig tree, the height of which isless than 100 cmand which areshallowly rooted in the soil. Excellent fit:
- Snapdragon or elf flower
- Ivy or Small Periwinkle
- Thyme or lavender
- Sedges or Japanese mountain grass
- Hyacinths or daffodils
Underplanting fig trees with perennials
Since Ficus carica is a heart-rooted plant,low perennialsare predestined for underplanting, which formflat roots. It is recommended to plant the perennials in the ground when you plant the fig tree. Later it forms a few roots here and there near the surface, which could be disruptive to the establishment of perennials. Fit in well at the foot of the fig tree:
- Spanish Daisy
- Snapdragons
- Elf Flower
- Bluebells
Plant fig tree with ground cover plants
Flowering ground cover plants with a size of 5 to 30 cm look fantastic in the root area of a fig. However, they not only serve a visual purpose, but also attractpollinating insects. This has the advantage that they could also visit the fig flowers and ensure their pollination. Suitable are:
- Sun Beauty
- carpet phlox
- Storksbill
- Nasturtium
Furthermore, wintergreen toevergreen ground cover plants are perfect for planting under the fig tree. The reason: With their foliage, they provide a certain level of winter protection in the root area of the fig.
- Ivy
- Hazelroot
- Small Periwinkle
- Strawberries
Planting a fig tree with herbs
The Mediterranean ambience that comes from the fig tree can be emphasized with herbs that come from similar regions. With the essential oils they containdeterthey often even repelpests and diseases They are cuddly under the fig tree, for example:
- Thyme
- Lavender
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Melissa
Underplanting fig trees with early bloomers
The early bloomers, which are usually uncomplicated and require little care, also go perfectly with Ficus carica. Theyroot shallowlyand beautify the fig in spring and early summer. They alsoattractinsects, which in turn are beneficial for the pollination of the fig. Things are pretty under the fig tree:
- Lily of the valley
- Märzenbecher
- Crocuses
- Daffodils
- Hyacinths
- Bluestars
Plant fig tree with grasses
Grasses are also suitable for underplanting fig trees due to their shallow root system. However, limit yourself to low specimens ofmaximum 1 m high that do not get in the way of the crown of the fig tree, but only cover its root area and trunk. The following are perfect for this:
- Sedges
- Japanese mountain grass
- Blue Fescue
- Feather grass
Planting a fig tree in a pot
The most sensible way to plant a fig tree in a pot is withflowering ground cover plants. Evergreen or wintergreen plants are less suitable for this because they also rely on sunlight in winter and the fig in the pot should rather spend the winter indoors. How about:
- Memorial,
- Balkan cranesbill,
- Women's coat,
- magic snow or
- Carpet phlox?
Tip
Choose a long-term underplanting
It makes sense if you don't renew the underplanting every year. Although the fig tree develops a deep heart root system, it also produces a few finer roots near the surface. These could be damaged by working the soil, for example when planting new underplants.
