Cottage gardens, moist meadows, and the understories of productive forests have many wonderful things in common. One of these is the presence of thriving wildflowers and seasonal delights, even beneath the shade of lush shrubs and trees. There’s nothing quite like an aged and towering tree trunk surrounded by precious blooms – abuzz with bees, butterflies, and grasshoppers.
Flowers can often look more vivid and eye-catching at the base of a tree. The contrast provided by textural and deep-colored bark, coupled with dappled light trickling through leafy branches, accentuates floral hues and inflorescence patterns. Not all flowering annuals or perennials can thrive in the shade of a mature canopy, however. The key to creating a visually memorable and long-lasting arrangement lies in selecting the right species.
The flowering plants that are most likely to survive under trees are those which are able to tolerate partial to full shade, acidic soil, a potentially low concentration of nutrients (due to competition with tree roots), and moisture retention after periods of heavy rainfall. These should ideally share the same climate preferences as their lofty backdrops. Browse through the species below for some inspiration!
1) Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)
Lily of the valley is also fondly known as mayflower, lady’s tears, and conval lily. This charming member of the Asparagaceae family can be grown as a groundcover plant due to its low-growing habit and perennial nature. Prior to its bloom period, its pairs of green leaves can form a plush base around tree trunks. In mid to late spring, arching inflorescences of small, bell-shaped, and dangling white blooms gracefully arch as they release their sweet fragrance.
With a preference for partial to full shade, lily of the valley is best suited to woodland gardens with generous canopies. As it is relatively short, with stems measuring only up to 10 inches (25 cm) tall, it is useful for creating compact and neat borders. Hardy to USDA zones 2 – 7, this species is notorious for being an aggressive spreader in optimal conditions. If necessary, you may restrict its roots to within pots and hanging containers.
2) Bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis)
Symbolic of both unconditional love and heartbreak, the blooms of L. spectabilis may look as though they’ve come straight out of a fairytale. This irrefutably elegant perennial has many eye-catching features. Its multi-lobed, compound leaves are borne on delicate, reddish-green stems. In spring, arching stems with racemes of dangling, pink flowers drastically change the appearance of the plant. Each of the blooms is pink, heart-shaped, and accented by a suspended droplet of white petals.
This rhizomatous herb has long been cultivated as an ornamental throughout its native range. It now comes in a handful of stunning cultivars, some of which have received the RHS Award of Garden Merit. These include ‘Alba’, ‘Valentine’, and ‘Gold Heart’. To highlight their subtle differences, plant them next to one another beneath the partial shade of a tree. Note that intense summer heat and dryness can cause their stems to die back.
3) Grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum)
A spring stroll through a woodland garden could only be made more memorable by the presence of some spritely clumps of grape hyacinth. Named for its blooms’ resemblance to juicy clusters of grapes, this perennial can be grown in mass or border plantings. In optimal environments, it can self-seed in the cracks and crevices of roads and sidewalks. Quick to become naturalized, it may compete with slow-growing native flowers.
Though grape hyacinth does grow vigorously under full sun exposure, its blooms tend to last longer when they are situated in partial shade. The dappled light beneath a medium-sized canopy should benefit its narrow and lengthy leaves. These may die back soon after the bloom period, but fret not, as they may re-emerge from their bulbs in fall.
4) Snow crocus (Crocus chrysanthus)
Perfect for the gaps along the base of shrubs and for filling out substrates between the large roots of trees, the snow crocus is an exceptional flowering plant. Its yellow, blue, or white blooms herald the onset of warming temperatures in late winter or early spring. These arise in dense clumps that can swathe the ground in blending hues and streaks. During the peak of the bloom period, a well-established crocus stand can be spotted from a distance.
The snow crocus grows to a full height of just 3 – 4 inches (7.6 – 10.2 cm) tall. To draw attention to its appearance in larger landscapes or gardens, don’t hesitate to plant about 100 of its corms (you may mix botanical crocus cultivars) within a single, partially-shaded area. To ensure that the blooms emerge in the succeeding year, make sure to plant these out in the fall.
5) Daffodils (Narcissus spp.)
Many daffodil hybrids are able to thrive and produce their signature blooms in partly-shaded areas. These plants would look particularly elegant and iconic along the base of a large tree. Borne on bloom stalks that may grow up to 30 inches (76 cm) tall, daffodil blooms are set apart by their conspicuously white or yellow petals. These serve as an outer ring around a well-defined and readily visible cone-shaped corona.
Once daffodil blooms have become fully spent, they tend to die back along with their spade-shaped leaves. These are borne on a bulb equipped with contractile roots. The roots gradually pull the dormant bulb further into the substrate to protect it from markedly cool conditions. A new set of leaves and floral stems should emerge in the succeeding spring.
6) Common primrose (Primula vulgaris)
The common primrose may bloom as soon as temperatures begin to warm considerably. For this reason, it is often referred to as the “harbinger of spring”. This recipient of the RHS Award of Garden Merit is distinguished by its compact and lush masses of lemon-yellow blooms. These are adequately small compared to the full width of an entire, mature plant. In optimal conditions, a primrose rosette measures just 9 inches (23 cm) wide and about 6 inches (15 cm) tall.
In the wild, the common primrose readily self-seeds to form charming colonies in the dappled shade of shrubs and trees. During its peak bloom period, its flowers may be dense enough to create the illusion of a yellow carpet. This can significantly brighten up the moist, shaded zones of a cottage garden or meadow.
7) Merry bells (Uvularia grandiflora)
Merry bells, also known as the large-flowered bellwort, is a fantastic perennial for woodland gardens. This member of the Colchicaceae family is naturally found in moist and partly shaded environments, such as upland deciduous forests. Its wild stands are now endangered in a few regions of their native range (i.e. woodlands of Connecticut and New Hampshire), but it is readily found in cultivation.
U. grandiflora blooms tend to be oriented downwards due to their sheer weight. Borne on stems that grow to about 30 inches (76 cm) tall, these are yellow, solitary or paired, and bell-shaped. During the peak bloom period, the plant can take on a noticeably droopy appearance – almost as though its stems weren’t made to prop up such large leaves and flowers. To draw attention to its subtle beauty, situate its stands next to other woodland plants, like phlox, hostas, and ferns.
8) Heart-leaved foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)
Set apart by its striking and highly textural inflorescences, the heart-leaved foamflower is valued by horticulturists as an eye-catching shade plant. This perennial herb favors cool and moist conditions, such as those often found beneath the generously thick canopies of large trees. In regions with mild winters, its heart-shaped leaves last all throughout the year. These may exhibit dynamic changes in appearance, with low temperatures causing them to turn reddish-bronze.
Due to its fairly small mature size (up to around 12 inches or 30 cm tall) and its tendency to spread rapidly, the heart-leaved foamflower is ideal as a groundcover plant. Hardy to USDA zones 4 – 9, it is a recipient of the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Showy but not high-maintenance, it is the perfect species for naturalizing the base of your garden’s trees!
9) Canadian “Wild” columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Another flowering perennial with a preference for woodland forests and rocky slopes, the Canadian columbine is short-lived but is definitely worth cultivating in the right conditions. Also called the red columbine, this member of the Ranunculaceae family favors partial shade, well-draining substrates, and ample moisture. It can form low-growing, self-seeding colonies around trees.
One of the most ideal cultivars for cottage gardens and shady landscapes is ‘Little Lanterns’. Named for the lantern-like appearance of its nodding red blooms, its elegant foliage can brighten up dim spaces. Removing spent stems can trigger the production of a second wave of blooms. These have a knack for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds while repelling several pests and grazers.
10) Tree peony (Paeonia x suffruticosa)
Tree peonies are hybrids between several members of the Paeonia genus. Referred to as “mudan” in China, these are horticulturally valued shrubs with many ornamental properties. As they are able to grow to a few feet tall, they can be situated around the base of towering trees and used as a backdrop for lower-growing herbs. Keep in mind that, while they can grow in shade, some sunlight should enhance bloom production.
The multi-petaled blooms of tree peonies can be quite large, measuring up to 6 inches (15 cm) wide on average. In contrast, their stems tend to be brittle and thin. Their deciduous leaves are deeply lobed, ovate, and bright to brownish-green. Some of the most popular hybrids include ‘High Noon’, ‘Impumon’, and ‘Chinese Dragon’.
11) Siberian “Jack Frost” bugloss (Brunnera macrophylla)
Siberian bugloss is also known as ‘great forget-me-not’ and ‘largeleaf brunnera’. This notable member of the Boraginaceae family is able to slowly spread via a network of underground rhizomes. This allows it to form dense and showy clumps in favorable substrates. As its herbaceous mounds measure just 18 inches (46 cm) tall at maturity, it is promising as a groundcover plant in partly to fully shaded areas.
Like other forget-me-nots, Siberian bugloss produces throes of charming inflorescences from mid-spring to early summer. Its sky-blue flowers can last for several weeks on shoots that are protected from the afternoon sun. Often the missing piece of a truly memorable woodland garden, this species significantly brightens up dim landscapes. Some of its pricier cultivars (e.g. ‘Variegata’, ‘Silver Charm’, ‘Alexander’s Great’) are valued for their variegated leaves and ease of care.
12) Common periwinkle (Vinca minor)
Like the humble forget-me-not, the common periwinkle is also horticulturally valued as a low-maintenance and versatile groundcover plant. Also known as ‘creeping myrtle’, this flowering perennial is often grown for its trailing habit. Wherever its stem’s nodes come into contact with the appropriate substrate, it can quickly develop new roots. The nodes prefer to keep close to the ground, however, as they do not climb vertical structures.
The common periwinkle remains evergreen in mild climates and in zones where partial shade protects its leaves from becoming scorched by summer heat. It has a knack for completely colonizing soils around the base of well-established trees. Its leathery foliage competes with weeds and other ornamental herbs for traces of dappled sunshine, but they are also able to persist in full shade.
13) Rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp.)
With more than 1,000 species of rhododendrons to choose from, horticulturists often marvel at the sheer diversity of this group of plants. Many of the most commonly cultivated varieties and cultivars favor partial to dappled shade conditions that offer a few warm hours of morning light. If your garden’s trees are exposed to the east, these plants may be perfect for naturalizing the substrates around their trunks.
Plenty of moisture is also key to maintaining a fully-grown rhododendron bush. Given the right conditions, these plants reward gardeners and onlookers with eye-catching clusters of bright flowers. Typically light pink, fuchsia, or red, their delicate petals complement the warm tones of tree bark.
For best results, aim to plant rhododendrons a few feet away from the bottom of oak or pine trees – ideally close to the drip line. Fallen detritus and tree leaves should help enrich substrates and serve as an organic mulch for your flowering plants.
14) Common snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)
One of the first flowers to mark the arrival of spring, snowdrops are named for their immaculately white and spotless blooms. As ‘nivalis’ literally translates to “of the snow”, its scientific name also alludes to its tendency to emerge through melting layers of a final frost (sometimes as early as late January). Though this wonderful herb is able to tolerate full sun, it is especially noticeable in partially-shaded areas. Its blooms brighten up dim spaces, lending them an almost palpable warmth!
Beneath the protection of deciduous trees, the common snowdrop can successfully form offsets and new clumps. These eventually give rise to self-seeding plants that may naturalize the base of adjacent trees and shrubs. It is also suitable for rock gardens, where its delicate leaves and floral shoots can burst through gaps in between boulders and stones. Unsurprisingly, it is a recipient of the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
15) Persian violet (Cyclamen coum)
Popular as an ornamental groundcover, the Persian violet is a tuberous herb. Its patterned leaves and floral stems emerge from remarkably hardy tubers, which may persist in temperatures as low as -28˚C (-18˚F). A member of the Primulaceae or primrose family, it is set apart by its low-growing habit, clumps of heart-shaped leaves, and vivid, winter-to-spring inflorescences.
As suggested by its common name, the Persian violet boasts magenta or deep-pink petals. Well-rounded, these are set apart by a deeper blotch of color where they meet their floral stems. In optimal conditions, the flowers may be numerous enough to completely shade out the leaves. This outstanding, low-maintenance cyclamen is great for mass plantings in partly shaded areas, such as below the canopy of woodland trees. Grow it next to stands of the common snowdrop for a hearty combination of early spring colors!
