The shady ground beneath the trees in your homestead doesn’t have to stay empty or dull. With a thoughtful plan and the right approach, you can turn the space into an attractive part of your front or backyard.
Your options include a cozy seating area, a space filled with plants that live shade, and design features that blend easily with the rest of your space.
The ideas below can help you landscape around trees, turning the ground beneath into a feature that improves your backyard and curb appeal:
1. Grow a Shade Garden
Create a garden where you can plant annuals and perennials that thrive in shade.
- Space the annual or perennial plants properly.
- Add mulch and water consistently to retain moisture and to ensure vibrancy of a garden that withstands low light.
- Use stepping stones, gravel, or wood chips to add a garden path to protect your plants from foot traffic.
In addition to keeping the path clear of overgrowth, have a pruning schedule for nearby plants to maintain accessibility to the shade garden.
2. Control Weeds with Landscape Fabric
Choose a landscaping fabric that allows water and nutrients to reach the soil while maintaining a tidy appearance.
Lay the fabric under mulch or gravel around trees to block sunlight and prevent weeds from growing.
Secure the edges and overlap pieces to ensure full coverage, to reduce maintenance, and to protect tree roots effectively.
3. Edge around Trees
Edging is a useful option to define your tree’s base, retain mulch, and protect roots from pets and lawn equipment.
- Install small stones, bricks, or hedges around the tree to create a clear, attractive boundary.
- Layer textured mulch inside the edging to improve soil health and enhance visual appeal.
The combination of mulch and edging creates a low-maintenance, protected area that draws attention to your tree.
4. Go for Pure Mulch
A layer of landscape mulch spread around your tree’s base not only covers exposed roots but also adds color to the space.
To landscape around trees with this option, choose the type and color of mulch that complements your space, apply the mulch evenly, and replenish as needed to maintain a clean, finished look.
You can even plant some flowers in the mulch to create springtime bursts of color or go hostas for consistent green contrast against the mulch.
5. Hardscape the Space
Use bricks or pavers around your tree to create a defined, tidy area that contrasts with surrounding greenery.
The layout enhances usability and aesthetics, turning the space from a bare spot into a functional and inviting nook.
6. Grow Native Plants
Native plants are good for landscaping around trees because they easily thrive in local climate and soil with minimal care.
- Select plants that require less water and maintenance while complementing the natural landscape.
- Use native plants to attract local wildlife, including birds and butterflies and to support a vibrant ecosystem.
The resilience of native plants reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and this creates a low-maintenance, sustainable garden.
7. Add Beauty with Flowers
You can design a flower bed around your tree to add color and highlight its presence. Seasonal flower varieties tend to be the best option, as they maintain interest throughout the year.
For this option:
- Choose blooms that complement the tree and the surrounding landscape. Shade-tolerant blooms in colors such as pink, purple, or yellow to brighten the area beneath branches.
- Plan the layout carefully to balance color, height, and texture.
- Arrange the flowers in layers or clusters to create depth and visual impact.
Your arrangement should be such that the flowers lead eyes toward the tree while complementing surrounding plants.
8. Add a Circular Bench
Use durable materials such as wood or stone to build a circular bench. Position the wooden bench under your tree to blend into the view.
The bench helps turn the empty space into a gathering spot for family and guests.
9. Decorate With Rocks
You can place decorative rocks around your trees to enhance visual appeal and structure. Rocks improve drainage, suppress weeds, and create a durable, low-maintenance landscape.
Select smooth river rocks for a soft look, larger boulders for a bold effect, or mix sizes and colors to create visual interest.
10. Plant Hardy Ground Covers
Hardy ground covers help tofill empty spaces, improve soil health, suppress weeds, retain soil moisture, and add visual appeal.
For landscaping around trees, choose options such as creeping thyme, clover, or Irish moss. Arrange them such that they create a dense, attractive layer that enhances the area without requiring constant care.
11. Build a Retaining Wall
A simple retaining wall around your tree is enough to create a uniform, attractive base and enhance curb appeal.
- Consider budget before construction, as retaining walls require higher investment than simple planting or mulching.
- Plan the wall’s height, shape, and design carefully to complement the tree and surrounding landscape and to balance durability with visual appeal.
- Use pavers or stone to replace bare roots and patchy grass, framing the tree with structure and style.
While a retaining wall is suitable mostly for hilly terrain, it helps a great deal to prevent soil erosion near trees.
12. Build a Stepping Stones Path
You can install a stepping stone path around your trees to combine function and charm.
For this landscaping option, select stones that complement your garden’s style and space them for easy walking ad visual appeal.
If you like, you can plant moss or low-growing plants between the stones to soften the path and add greenery.
13. Use Stones to Design a Tree Ring
Flat stones or decorative pavers are good for building a tree ring that defines the base of your tree and enhances your yard’s appearance.
For this idea, dig a shallow trench first for level and stability, arrange the stones in a circle, and leave space inside for mulch or plants.
This setup improves drainage, frames the tree attractively, and creates a neat, low-maintenance feature.
14. Light the Night
Outdoor landscape lighting helps to highlight your trees, accentuate your home’s architecture, and improve safety at night.
Position the lights strategically to illuminate paths, focus on key features, and create depth around the trees in your yard. And use timers or switches to control brightness and avoid energy waste.
15. Add a Fairy Garden
With thoughtful planning and placement, a fairy garden has the potential to add some whimsical charms under the trees in your yard.
- Choose a cozy spot and plant moss, ferns, and small flowers to form a lush backdrop.
- Incorporate miniature houses, fairy figurines, and colorful stones to enhance the scene.
- Add fairy lights and personal touches to reflect your style and make the space inviting day and night.
16. Install a Bird Feeder
Select a feeder suited for the species you want and place it near shrubs or trees to provide cover while feeding.
Keep the feeder filled and clean to maintain a healthy environment and encourage repeat visits.
If possible, surround the bird feeder with flowers that attract butterflies and other pollinators to create a lively, biodiverse space.
17. Create a Succulent Garden
Succulents are among the plants to grow under trees, as the trees provide the shade that keeps them from intense sunlight and high temperatures.
Ideally, the tree’s shade prevents sunburn while providing enough light for healthy growth.
- Choose succulents with varied shapes and colors to add texture and visual interest to your landscape.
- Select a spot in your yard with well-draining soil.
- Arrange succulents to highlight the tree while creating a low-maintenance, attractive garden feature.
- Ensure you space the succulents to allow airflow and water only sparingly to avoid root rot.