When you plant flower gardens around trees, protect the trees by following some simple guidelines on using humus and how to avoid tree roots when planting. Then choose plants that match the geographic area and color requirements specific to your garden plot. Finally, learn how to grow flowers and take care of plants by watering and caring for them regularly.
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Method 1 of 3: Protecting Trees
Step 1. Remove any soil or mulch at the base around the tree trunk
Start planting at least 30 cm and the rest from the tree trunk. Make sure that as the trunk grows and roots are visible, the bark remains exposed. Do not build taller beds around the base of the tree. The exposed root bark requires oxygen, and if it is covered the roots will rot over time.
Step 2. Prune the low tree branches
Make as many paths of light as possible to reach the flowers and plants under the tree. So, get out your pruning shears and prune out any thin, low tree branches. However, keep in mind that live tree branches must be at least the height of the plant, so never prune live branches that are taller than of your tree's height.
- You can buy pruning shears at a hardware store.
- Prune only branches less than 5 cm in diameter.
- Prune thin V-shaped branches. Avoid pruning healthy U-shaped branches.
- Look for shoots on branches outside the neck of the tree. The neck of the tree is the meeting point between the branch and the base of the tree and is slightly enlarged. Cut at a slight angle about 0.6 cm above the shoot.
Step 3. Do not damage the stems or roots when planting
Do not use tools or shovels to remove or cut any of the main roots of the tree. If you find roots that are larger than 3.8 cm to 5 cm in diameter, move the planting hole a few cm so you don't accidentally cut the roots. If you are planting between two main roots, make enough holes to plant flowers or plants. If you find roots while digging the beds, don't plant them there, cover them again with soil, and find a new place to plant.
- Use a hand shovel instead of a large shovel so you don't damage the roots of the tree.
- If you cut off smaller tree roots as you dig, don't worry, they will grow back easily.
- If you cut the tree inward, you make it more susceptible to disease and insect problems.
Step 4. Know the type of tree you will plant the underside of
Depending on the type of tree you are planting the underside of, you will have to be careful about the number of plants you plant. You may want to plant under a tree whose base is suitable for gardening. If your tree is sensitive, consider starting small and opt for smaller plants instead of creating a dense garden at the base of the tree. If your tree is sensitive, plan a garden that only lasts a few years, so that your tree can gradually acclimate to the new plants.
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Be careful when planting under tree types such as the one below as the roots of these trees are sensitive to disturbance:
- beech tree
- black oak tree
- buckeye tree
- Cherry and plum trees
- dogwood tree
- hemlock tree
- larch. tree
- linden tree
- Magnolia tree
- Pine trees
- red oak tree
- Dark red oak tree
- Sugar maple tree
Method 2 of 3: Selecting Plants
Step 1. Plant plants that are suitable for sun or shade in your planting area
You must first know how much sun exposure the flowerbed receives. Observe your garden for a full day, and consider how your levels of shade and sunlight change in different seasons. When buying a plant, the description of the plant will indicate how much sun it needs.
- Full sun means that during midday in the growing season, the area will receive 6 hours or more of direct sunlight. If your flowerbed is like this, you can choose from a wide variety of plants.
- Partial sun means the area receives direct sunlight from sunrise to noon. The reason why it's not full sun is because the morning sun isn't as strong as the afternoon sun.
- Partial shading means the area receives sunlight from 3 p.m. until the end of the day. Partial shading also applies to areas exposed to the sun's rays or through crevices for a full day.
- Full shade means the area is to the north of a building or tree coverage is so dense that even sunlight can't get through. Although the choice of plants will be less, you can still find interesting plants that are suitable for your flowerbed.
Step 2. Pay attention to mature size plants
Make sure a large plant will fit under the tree and the space you have. Buy small, low plants for your flower bed. Plants that will grow tall will likely block sunlight for other small plants in the flowerbed or disturb the lower branches of trees.
Step 3. Choose flowers to plant under the tree
Planting flowers under trees makes the beds look very attractive. Consider planting groups of 3-5 types of flowers or shrubs for a more textured or blooming appearance. Also consider your plant zone. When buying plants, make sure they are suitable for your area. For example, if you live in the desert, there are many flowers that are difficult to grow in summer because the weather is too hot.:
Step 4. Choose bushes to plant under the tree
This plant is easy to maintain and can add a variety of plant species to flower beds. Make sure the bush you buy is low growing. Again, consider sunlight and the area you live in when selecting plants. Shrubs are great for growing under trees because they thrive in little light or moisture.
Method 3 of 3: Planting and Caring
Step 1. Know the right time to plant
You can plant many types of flowers after the last frost in spring, with the exception of pansies. Pansies are warmer and can withstand cold. Other flowers will die if you plant them during the winter. Record the date on which the average frost melt from the previous year. Search the internet at plantmap.com to find out when the ice last melted in your area. You can also use the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) to get data on the date of the last ice melt in your location.
- Certain plants will thrive if planted at a certain time or temperature, so pay attention to your plant care instructions. For example, irises will grow best if you plant them in late summer or early fall rather than in spring. You can visit www.garden.org to read more about caring for certain plants.
- Remember when you buy plants, perennials will only bloom for one season and perennials will bloom for at least two seasons.
Step 2. Determine the circumference of your flower bed
You don't need to build a fence, however, you do need to know where your flowerbed borders are to know where to plant your plants. Take a shovel and mark the diameter of your flowerbed. Remember that you must start planting at a distance of 30 cm from the tree trunk, the circumference should be 60 cm.
Step 3. Till your flowerbed soil
Using a hand shovel, loosen the soil of the flowerbed, and remove any weeds or debris under the tree. Add two or five cm of humus to loosen the soil. You can buy a bag of mixed humus for perennials or perennials at a hardware store.
Step 4. Dig a hole slightly deeper and wider than your plant container
Use your hand or a hand shovel to make a hole in the plant. Remember to dig at a distance of a few cm from the tree roots and 30 cm from the base of the trunk.
Step 5. Carefully remove the plant from its container
If the plant consists of several flowers, push it from the bottom and remove the plant from the roots. Unravel any roots stuck to the bottom of the container. If it's a potted plant, place your hands on the ground, and turn the container over into your palm.
Step 6. Loosen the plant roots
Take the outside of the root ball, and gently remove some of the roots at the edges of the root ball. Don't let the roots clump together tightly, by breaking them down a little, they can be planted more easily into the new soil.
Step 7. Put the plant in the hole, and cover it with soil
Gently insert the plant into the new soil, then take the new humus and cover the flower roots. Then press the soil around the base of the flower with your hands. Now your crop is almost done. Repeat the above steps to plant other shrubs and flowers before you water.
Hold the plant by the roots instead of continuously by the stem
Step 8. Give your plants space to grow, and water your flowerbed regularly
When you plant, don't plant flowers or shrubs too close together. Find out how big the plant will grow, and consider how densely the area to be filled with plants will fit in with what you want. Leave a distance of at least 5-8 cm between each plant. In addition, you should weed the flowerbed regularly. Use your hands and pluck any unwanted plants growing around the flowers and plants from the roots. If weeds are allowed to grow unattended, weeds can clog and take away the flower's nutrients.
Make a schedule for weeding the flowerbeds on a calendar to help you weed regularly
Step 9. Water the flower growing area thoroughly
Water consistently after you plant your plants. When plant roots have to compete with tree roots, the plant will need more water. Set a watering schedule to help you know when the flowers have been watered and when you should water them again.
Step 10. Annually add two cm of organic fertilizer to your garden
You can add more organic fertilizer or humus that matches the type of flower, perennial or annual, to your garden. You should add organic fertilizer because the bacteria and fungi in organic fertilizer are food for your plants. You can make your own organic fertilizer for your garden by composting. By using vegetable, garden, leaf or manure waste, you can provide your plants with the nutrients they need to thrive year after year.
