Underplanting elderberry makes sense for two reasons: On the one hand, you can use it to beautify the lower and often unattractive area of the plant. On the other hand, underplanting suppresses weeds and eliminates the need for regular weeding.
Which plants are suitable for underplanting elderberry?
Small and shade-tolerantGround cover plants, perennials, ferns, grasses and early bloomers are suitable for underplanting elderberries. Popular ones include:
- Small periwinkle and cranesbill
- Fairy flower and forest anemone
- Rainbow Fern and Japanese Ostrich Fern
- Snow marbel and golden sedge
- Lily of the valley and grape hyacinths
Widely spreading shallow root – plant early
The root system of the elderberry spreads flat in the ground, but even more widely. TheRootsbranch out profusely and arewidely spreadThis makes underplanting after the elderberry has been standing for a few yearsproblematic For this reason, it is advisable to plant the underplanting when the elderberry is also planted in the ground. Even deep-rooted plants can then be chosen for underplanting.
Planting elderberry with perennials
Smaller perennialsthat can grow inshade are ideal for planting under the elderberry. Perennials that produce eye-catching flowers or decorative foliage are particularly pretty. These include, among others:
- Elf Flower
- Forest Danemone
- Star Umbel
- Forget-me-not
- Foam Blossom
- Funkie
- Bellflower
Plant elderberry with ground cover plants
There are lots of ground cover plants that likepartial shade to shadyand can grow with their root system at the foot of the elderberry without major losses. However, keep in mind that the soil under this often very densely growing tree tends to bedry and the ground cover plants should be able to cope with it. For example, the following copies are suitable:
- Cotoneaster
- Small Periwinkle
- Storksbill
- woman's coat
- Snakeweed
- Fat Man
- Waldsteinie
Planting elderberry with early bloomers
Early bloomers usually have veryflat rootsand therefore do not get in the way of the elderberry. Since the elderin springis stillbare, the early bloomers at its base can get plenty ofsun. The elderberry, for its part, benefits from the fresh colors of the early bloomers. How about these pretty candidates?
- Crocuses
- Snowdrops
- Winterlings
- Lily of the valley
- Daffodils
- Grape Hyacinths
Planting elderberry with ferns
Ferns that can handle the possibledroughtnessunder the elder and like to be inshadeare an excellent choice for underplanting. However,small to medium-high ferns should preferably be chosen for underplanting, such as:
- Rainbow fern
- Japanese Ostrich Fern
- Spotted Fern
- worm fern
Planting elderberry with grasses
Last but not least, you can make your elderberry in the garden more attractive with smaller grasses in the root area, although these should be able to get used tolack of sunlight. Examples of such grasses are:
- Colorful Japanese sedge
- Snow Marbel
- Golden sedge
- Flatgrass
Tip
Keep the lower area of the elderberry free
If you decide to plant the elderberry under it, you should make sure that the lowest area is free of twigs. These could otherwise be disruptive to the underplanting and damage it. Therefore, cut the elderberry regularly to create space and allow light to penetrate.
