Last weekend, while hosting a backyard BBQ, three different neighbors asked me how I got such beautiful plants growing under my trees.
They couldn’t believe the bare patches they saw last year were now full of color!
If you’re staring at your own dirt patches under trees, don’t worry – I’m sharing all my secrets about the 15 plants that made this transformation possible.
15 Best Plants for Tree Shade
1. Heucherella
I absolutely fell in love with this plant at first sight! It’s actually a perfect marriage between two other shade-lovers (heuchera and tiarella).
The leaves are simply stunning, with bold veins that really pop.
When late spring rolls around, it sends up the prettiest flower spikes that last through mid-summer. As a bonus, it brings butterflies and hummingbirds to my garden!
2. Ferns
Ferns have become my go-to solution for those really shady spots under trees.
Their feathery leaves add such beautiful texture to otherwise boring areas.
I especially love mixing different varieties – some copper-colored ones, deep green classics, and those gorgeous silvery ones with burgundy highlights.
3. Tiarella (Foam Flower)
This hidden gem doesn’t get nearly enough love in most gardens.
The name “foam flower” perfectly describes its fluffy, white flower spikes that appear in spring.
Trust me, once you plant these, you’ll wonder why you didn’t discover them sooner!
4. Crane’s Bill
Oh my goodness, if you’re looking for a tough-as-nails plant that still looks delicate and pretty, this is it!
The leaves smell amazing when you brush past them, and the pink or purple flowers are just gorgeous.
Best of all? The deer and rabbits that usually destroy my garden actually leave this one alone.
5. Sweet Spire
This shrub has been such a wonderful addition to my shaded areas.
The white spring flowers smell divine, and the pollinators go crazy for them.
I love how it stays compact and neat without much fuss, and the newer varieties handle cold weather like champs.
6. Abelia
This is my favorite “can’t-kill-it” shrub that looks good in both sunny and shady spots.
The leaves range from golden to green, and it produces the sweetest-smelling flowers from summer right through fall.
7. Ajuga (Bugleweed)
Need something that spreads quickly? This is your plant!
It creates such a thick mat of foliage that weeds don’t stand a chance.
Those cobalt blue flowers in spring are just the icing on the cake.
8. Boxwood
Forget everything you know about old-school boxwoods – the new varieties are total game-changers!
They grow faster and keep their shape without constant pruning (perfect for busy moms like me).
These stay nice and compact, usually between 2-4 feet tall and wide.
9. Pachysandra
This is the plant that finally solved my bare-spot problems under our massive oak tree.
It stays green all year round and the deer completely ignore it (hallelujah!).
In spring, it produces these sweet little white flowers that are just adorable.
10. Liriope
I can’t say enough good things about this tough little plant.
It grows like crazy, even on slopes where nothing else will grow.
The purple flower spikes in late summer are such a lovely surprise against the green leaves.
11. Lamium (Dead Nettle)
Don’t let the weird name scare you off – this plant is a total superstar!
The leaves have this beautiful silvery pattern, and you can find varieties with pink, purple, white, or yellow flowers.
It’s my go-to plant for dry, shady spots where other plants give up.
12. Lenten Rose (Hellebore)
Want to know what keeps me going through winter? These amazing plants!
They start blooming when everything else is still sleeping, sometimes even through the snow.
Once established, they practically take care of themselves.
13. Brunnera
The heart-shaped leaves on this plant look like they’re sprinkled with silver glitter – so pretty!
In spring, it produces these delicate blue flowers that remind me of forget-me-nots.
It’s survived even our harshest winters without missing a beat.
14. Heuchera (Coral Bells)
If you need some color under your trees, these plants are absolute showstoppers.
The ruffled leaves come in practically every color imaginable – from silver to hot pink to chocolate brown.
Just be patient with these beauties – they take a couple of years to reach their full potential.
15. Hosta
These are the ultimate shade plants in my book – unless you have deer!
They come in sizes from tiny to huge (some get 8 feet wide!), and the leaves can be green, blue-green, or striped with white or yellow.
Fair warning though: if deer visit your yard, you might want to skip these – they’re like deer candy!
Wrapping Up
The key to success with any of these plants is giving them plenty of water in their first year. I learned the hard way that even though they’re “drought-tolerant,” they need extra TLC while getting established.
Just dig individual holes for each plant instead of tilling up the whole area – your tree’s roots will thank you!