Don't Overlook This Space When Planning Your Yard's Landscaping

When planning an outdoor space's landscaping, we tend to think mainly about the sprawling open spaces of our yards. Flower beds along a fence, sleek patio design trends, and stone garden paths are often our main focus. But there's one spot in the yard people often overlook when mapping out their lovely landscaping: The area underneath trees. These forgotten spaces present some unique challenges, which probably contribute to their frequent neglect. But ignoring them means missing a wonderful opportunity to take your yard to the next level.

Planting under your trees — often referred to as planting "soft landings" — adds some serious visual appeal to your yard by giving the area an intentional and polished look. However, when you incorporate the under-tree area into your landscaping plan, you're not just making a bare patch look better. Doing so actually serves some ecological purposes. It improves soil health for the tree by reducing erosion and compaction, and it even helps regulate soil temperature and moisture in some cases. Plus, flowering plants attract birds and beneficial insects to your outdoor space. While planting around your tree's base may seem like a tricky endeavor, it's worth the time and effort.

The biggest factor for success when planting under your trees is choosing the right varieties. Not all plants can thrive or even survive in the shady, dry environment while competing with tree roots for nutrients. You'll want to choose plants that love low light conditions. It's also a good idea to choose low-maintenance plants or flowers that don't need a ton of fertilization or watering to grow. With these types of plants, you'll be set up for success without having to do a ton of upkeep. 

Some great varieties with these characteristics include hostas, columbines, ferns, and epimedium. These perennial plants add gorgeous color, texture, and life to an otherwise bare space under your tree. Also check out some easy-to-grow ground covers that thrive around tree roots. When you begin planting, however, be sure that you dig gently so you don't disturb too many of the tree's roots. Take moisture retention and weed prevention to the next level by mulching around the tree and its new plant friends. With the right plants, the right techniques, and a little bit of love, you can successfully welcome your under-tree areas into your gorgeous landscaping elements.