15 Plants That Grow Best Under Trees: Thriving in the Shade
Many gardeners struggle with shaded areas under trees, assuming nothing can grow there. However, shade-loving plants not only survive but thrive beneath a tree canopy, creating a lush, layered, and visually appealing garden. The key is choosing plants adapted to lower light levels, competing roots, and drier soils.
This guide explores 15 of the best plants for planting under trees, including flowering perennials, ferns, groundcovers, and ornamental foliage plants. By following these tips, you can turn the shadowy areas under trees into vibrant, productive, and low-maintenance garden spaces.
Many gardeners struggle with shaded areas under trees, assuming nothing can grow there. However, shade-loving plants not only survive but thrive beneath a tree canopy, creating a lush, layered, and visually appealing garden. The key is choosing plants adapted to lower light levels, competing roots, and drier soils.
This guide explores 15 of the best plants for planting under trees, including flowering perennials, ferns, groundcovers, and ornamental foliage plants. By following these tips, you can turn the shadowy areas under trees into vibrant, productive, and low-maintenance garden spaces.
Understanding Tree Canopies and Shade
Before choosing plants, it’s essential to understand the environment under your tree:
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Light Levels: Most trees create partial to full shade. Deciduous trees allow more light in spring and early summer, while evergreens provide more consistent shade.
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Soil Conditions: Tree roots compete for water and nutrients. Mulching and soil amendment can help.
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Moisture: Shade areas often retain more moisture but dry out quickly under some tree species.
By assessing these conditions, you can choose plants that complement your tree’s growth habits rather than compete with them.
Before choosing plants, it’s essential to understand the environment under your tree:
-
Light Levels: Most trees create partial to full shade. Deciduous trees allow more light in spring and early summer, while evergreens provide more consistent shade.
-
Soil Conditions: Tree roots compete for water and nutrients. Mulching and soil amendment can help.
-
Moisture: Shade areas often retain more moisture but dry out quickly under some tree species.
By assessing these conditions, you can choose plants that complement your tree’s growth habits rather than compete with them.
1. Hostas (Hosta spp.)
Description: Hostas are classic shade plants known for their lush foliage and ease of care. They come in various leaf colors—green, blue, or variegated—and sizes, from miniature to giant.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial to full shade
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Soil: Moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter
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Water: Keep soil evenly moist, especially in summer
Companion Plants: Ferns, astilbes, and heucheras pair beautifully with hostas.
Extra Tip: Slugs love hostas—consider using barriers or natural deterrents to protect foliage.
Description: Hostas are classic shade plants known for their lush foliage and ease of care. They come in various leaf colors—green, blue, or variegated—and sizes, from miniature to giant.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial to full shade
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Soil: Moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter
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Water: Keep soil evenly moist, especially in summer
Companion Plants: Ferns, astilbes, and heucheras pair beautifully with hostas.
Extra Tip: Slugs love hostas—consider using barriers or natural deterrents to protect foliage.
2. Ferns (Various species)
Description: Ferns add a delicate, airy texture to shady spaces. Popular varieties include Japanese Painted Fern, Maidenhair Fern, and Ostrich Fern.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial to full shade
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Soil: Moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil
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Water: Regular watering; keep soil damp
Companion Plants: Hostas, woodland phlox, and astilbes.
Extra Tip: Ferns thrive in the cool, damp microclimate often found under tree canopies.
Description: Ferns add a delicate, airy texture to shady spaces. Popular varieties include Japanese Painted Fern, Maidenhair Fern, and Ostrich Fern.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial to full shade
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Soil: Moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil
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Water: Regular watering; keep soil damp
Companion Plants: Hostas, woodland phlox, and astilbes.
Extra Tip: Ferns thrive in the cool, damp microclimate often found under tree canopies.
3. Astilbe (Astilbe spp.)
Description: Astilbes are shade-loving perennials with feathery plumes of flowers in red, pink, white, or purple. Their foliage adds year-round interest.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial shade
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Soil: Moist, rich soil with organic matter
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Water: Consistent moisture is key
Companion Plants: Hostas, ferns, and heucheras
Extra Tip: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage tidy growth and prevent disease.
Description: Astilbes are shade-loving perennials with feathery plumes of flowers in red, pink, white, or purple. Their foliage adds year-round interest.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial shade
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Soil: Moist, rich soil with organic matter
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Water: Consistent moisture is key
Companion Plants: Hostas, ferns, and heucheras
Extra Tip: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage tidy growth and prevent disease.
4. Heuchera (Coral Bells)
Description: Heucheras are prized for their colorful foliage, ranging from deep purple and burgundy to lime green. Small flowers appear on tall stalks in spring and summer.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial shade to full shade
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Soil: Well-drained, rich soil
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Water: Moderate, avoid waterlogging
Companion Plants: Ferns, hostas, and astilbes
Extra Tip: Mulch around the roots to retain moisture and protect from extreme temperatures.
Description: Heucheras are prized for their colorful foliage, ranging from deep purple and burgundy to lime green. Small flowers appear on tall stalks in spring and summer.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial shade to full shade
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Soil: Well-drained, rich soil
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Water: Moderate, avoid waterlogging
Companion Plants: Ferns, hostas, and astilbes
Extra Tip: Mulch around the roots to retain moisture and protect from extreme temperatures.
5. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)
Description: Bleeding hearts are perennial beauties with heart-shaped flowers dangling from arching stems. They bloom in spring and early summer.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial shade
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Soil: Moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter
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Water: Regular, especially during dry spells
Companion Plants: Hostas, ferns, and astilbes
Extra Tip: After flowering, the foliage dies back naturally—don’t remove it prematurely.
Description: Bleeding hearts are perennial beauties with heart-shaped flowers dangling from arching stems. They bloom in spring and early summer.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial shade
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Soil: Moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter
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Water: Regular, especially during dry spells
Companion Plants: Hostas, ferns, and astilbes
Extra Tip: After flowering, the foliage dies back naturally—don’t remove it prematurely.
6. Pulmonaria (Lungwort)
Description: Pulmonaria features spotted or variegated foliage and clusters of early spring flowers in pink, blue, or purple.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial to full shade
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Soil: Moist, humus-rich soil
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Water: Keep evenly moist
Companion Plants: Ferns, hostas, and astilbes
Extra Tip: Pulmonaria foliage can last all season in mild climates, providing continuous interest.
Description: Pulmonaria features spotted or variegated foliage and clusters of early spring flowers in pink, blue, or purple.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial to full shade
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Soil: Moist, humus-rich soil
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Water: Keep evenly moist
Companion Plants: Ferns, hostas, and astilbes
Extra Tip: Pulmonaria foliage can last all season in mild climates, providing continuous interest.
7. Brunnera (Siberian Bugloss)
Description: Brunnera has heart-shaped leaves and delicate blue forget-me-not-like flowers in spring. Its silvery foliage is particularly striking in shade.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial to full shade
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Soil: Moist, fertile soil
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Water: Keep soil damp but well-drained
Companion Plants: Hellebores, hostas, and ferns
Extra Tip: Ideal for woodland gardens where its silver leaves contrast beautifully with darker foliage.
Description: Brunnera has heart-shaped leaves and delicate blue forget-me-not-like flowers in spring. Its silvery foliage is particularly striking in shade.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial to full shade
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Soil: Moist, fertile soil
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Water: Keep soil damp but well-drained
Companion Plants: Hellebores, hostas, and ferns
Extra Tip: Ideal for woodland gardens where its silver leaves contrast beautifully with darker foliage.
8. Hellebores (Lenten Rose)
Description: Hellebores bloom in late winter to early spring, producing nodding flowers in a range of colors including white, pink, purple, and green.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial shade
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Soil: Well-drained, rich soil
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Water: Moderate, regular watering during growth
Companion Plants: Ferns, hostas, and heucheras
Extra Tip: Hellebores are long-lived perennials that naturalize well under trees.
Description: Hellebores bloom in late winter to early spring, producing nodding flowers in a range of colors including white, pink, purple, and green.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial shade
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Soil: Well-drained, rich soil
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Water: Moderate, regular watering during growth
Companion Plants: Ferns, hostas, and heucheras
Extra Tip: Hellebores are long-lived perennials that naturalize well under trees.
9. Lamium (Dead Nettle)
Description: Lamium is a low-growing groundcover with silvery foliage and delicate pink, purple, or white flowers. It’s perfect for filling spaces under trees.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial to full shade
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Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
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Water: Moderate, avoid waterlogging
Companion Plants: Ferns, hostas, and heucheras
Extra Tip: Lamium spreads easily—consider using edging to contain it if needed.
Description: Lamium is a low-growing groundcover with silvery foliage and delicate pink, purple, or white flowers. It’s perfect for filling spaces under trees.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial to full shade
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Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
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Water: Moderate, avoid waterlogging
Companion Plants: Ferns, hostas, and heucheras
Extra Tip: Lamium spreads easily—consider using edging to contain it if needed.
10. Ajuga (Bugleweed)
Description: Ajuga is a fast-spreading groundcover with colorful foliage and spikes of blue flowers in spring.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial shade
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Soil: Moist, well-drained soil
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Water: Moderate, regular watering
Companion Plants: Lamium, ferns, and hostas
Extra Tip: Ajuga can choke out weeds, making it an excellent low-maintenance groundcover.
Description: Ajuga is a fast-spreading groundcover with colorful foliage and spikes of blue flowers in spring.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial shade
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Soil: Moist, well-drained soil
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Water: Moderate, regular watering
Companion Plants: Lamium, ferns, and hostas
Extra Tip: Ajuga can choke out weeds, making it an excellent low-maintenance groundcover.
11. Tiarella (Foamflower)
Description: Tiarella produces delicate star-shaped flowers and striking foliage, perfect for shady areas under trees.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial shade
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Soil: Moist, rich soil
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Water: Keep soil evenly moist
Companion Plants: Heucheras, ferns, and hostas
Extra Tip: Excellent for woodland-style gardens and shaded borders.
Description: Tiarella produces delicate star-shaped flowers and striking foliage, perfect for shady areas under trees.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial shade
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Soil: Moist, rich soil
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Water: Keep soil evenly moist
Companion Plants: Heucheras, ferns, and hostas
Extra Tip: Excellent for woodland-style gardens and shaded borders.
12. Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra)
Description: This ornamental grass thrives in shade, providing graceful, arching foliage in green, yellow, or variegated forms.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial to full shade
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Soil: Moist, fertile soil
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Water: Moderate, avoid drought stress
Companion Plants: Hellebores, ferns, hostas
Extra Tip: Japanese forest grass adds movement and texture, complementing broadleaf shade plants.
Description: This ornamental grass thrives in shade, providing graceful, arching foliage in green, yellow, or variegated forms.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial to full shade
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Soil: Moist, fertile soil
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Water: Moderate, avoid drought stress
Companion Plants: Hellebores, ferns, hostas
Extra Tip: Japanese forest grass adds movement and texture, complementing broadleaf shade plants.
13. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
Description: Sweet woodruff is a fragrant groundcover with whorled leaves and delicate white flowers in spring.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial to full shade
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Soil: Moist, humus-rich soil
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Water: Moderate
Companion Plants: Ferns, hostas, and ajuga
Extra Tip: Fragrant leaves can be used in herbal teas or potpourri.
Description: Sweet woodruff is a fragrant groundcover with whorled leaves and delicate white flowers in spring.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial to full shade
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Soil: Moist, humus-rich soil
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Water: Moderate
Companion Plants: Ferns, hostas, and ajuga
Extra Tip: Fragrant leaves can be used in herbal teas or potpourri.
14. Epimedium (Barrenwort)
Description: Epimedium has attractive heart-shaped leaves and delicate flowers in shades of pink, yellow, or white. It’s drought-tolerant once established.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial to full shade
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Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
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Water: Regular, then drought-tolerant
Companion Plants: Hellebores, ferns, and hostas
Extra Tip: Perfect for naturalizing in woodland gardens under deciduous trees.
Description: Epimedium has attractive heart-shaped leaves and delicate flowers in shades of pink, yellow, or white. It’s drought-tolerant once established.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Partial to full shade
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Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
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Water: Regular, then drought-tolerant
Companion Plants: Hellebores, ferns, and hostas
Extra Tip: Perfect for naturalizing in woodland gardens under deciduous trees.
15. Trillium (Wake Robin)
Description: Trilliums are classic woodland perennials with unique three-petaled flowers. They thrive in deep shade and mimic forest understory conditions.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Full to partial shade
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Soil: Rich, moist, humus-heavy soil
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Water: Keep consistently moist
Companion Plants: Ferns, hostas, and other shade perennials
Extra Tip: Trilliums grow slowly but are stunning when established and naturalized.
Description: Trilliums are classic woodland perennials with unique three-petaled flowers. They thrive in deep shade and mimic forest understory conditions.
Growing Tips:
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Light: Full to partial shade
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Soil: Rich, moist, humus-heavy soil
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Water: Keep consistently moist
Companion Plants: Ferns, hostas, and other shade perennials
Extra Tip: Trilliums grow slowly but are stunning when established and naturalized.
General Tips for Planting Under Trees
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Avoid Heavy Digging Near Roots: Tree roots are sensitive—use hand tools when planting.
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Amend Soil Carefully: Incorporate compost or organic matter without disturbing major roots.
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Mulching: Appl
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Avoid Heavy Digging Near Roots: Tree roots are sensitive—use hand tools when planting.
-
Amend Soil Carefully: Incorporate compost or organic matter without disturbing major roots.
-
Mulching: Appl
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