Unfortunately, even the best hedge plants become increasingly bald at the bottom after a few years. To conceal this, underplanting is recommended. They also serve the purpose of suppressing weeds and retaining moisture better in the soil.
Which plants are suitable for underplanting hedges?
Ground cover plants, perennials, bulbous plants and ferns thatdo not grow larger than 40 cm can be used to underplant hedges, tolerate drought and have shallow roots. Different types can be used for this, such as:
- Periwinkle or wild strawberry
- Funkie or elf flower
- Grape hyacinths or winter aconites
- worm fern or spotted fern
Planting under hedges with ground cover plants
With theirlow growth height, many ground cover plants are ideal for planting under hedges. The most worthwhile are theevergreen or wintergreen representatives. They ensure that the hedge plants are beautifully greened even in winter. However, make sure that the ground cover can cope with partially shaded conditions and does not compete with the roots of the respective hedge plant. The following are ideal, among others:
- Evergreen
- Storksbill
- Wild strawberry
- Golden strawberry
- Fat Man
- Carpet Knotweed
- Ivy
Planting under hedges with perennials
Choose perennials for underplanting hedges that areshade tolerant, can cope withroot pressureand areundemandingshow in relation to care. Ornamental foliage or flowering perennials that match the color and shape of the leaves of the hedge are ideal. Basically, the following perennials are well suited for underplanting hedges:
- Bergenia
- Funkia
- Elf Flower
- woman's coat
- Goldnettle
- Forget-me-not
- Star Umbel
Planting under hedges with bulbous plants
Onion plants do not have particularly deep roots and can adapt to partially shaded conditions. With their colorful flowers they providevariety and freshness on and in the hedge. The hedge plants themselves usually don't mind bulbous plants because they don't rob them of many nutrients.
- Daffodils
- Bluestars
- Winterlings
- Grape Hyacinths
- Snowdrops
Planting hedges with ferns
Ferns can also be used to plant under a hedge. However, you should limit yourself to thesmaller specimensand place them a littlein front of the hedge so as not to bend the delicate fern fronds. The following are wonderfully suitable:
- worm fern
- Spotted Fern
- Lady fern
- Dwarf Peacock Orb Fern
- Striped fern
Questions worth considering before planting underplanting
Before you get to work and underplant your hedge with ground cover plants, perennials or other plants, you should consider whether yourhedge will tolerate the underplanting. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Is this a deciduous, wintergreen or evergreen hedge?
- Is it in an acidic or basic substrate?
- Does it prefer moist or dry soil?
- And what about their roots – is it shallow or deep?
- Can the hedge tolerate regular trimming to keep the underplanting clear?
Tip
Set nectar-rich underplanting
Hedge plants are all too often pruned to keep their shape. However, this often also removes their flowers. Bees therefore often cannot find a rich source of food on hedges. Underplanting can help. Plant plants that produce nectar-rich flowers.
