If your garden has bare space, you must have at least thought once about planting a pine tree. It will make your bland garden more charming.
But the space these trees occupy is an issue. Despite being a pine-lover, many gardeners hesitate to plant it for this problem.
But, you can use your pine trees as shades after it grows and you can put a seed of some gorgeous small plants or shrubs under them.
Pine trees, for their ‘evergreen’ quality, remain the same throughout the seasons.
Even if your area experiences snowfall or extreme heat, pine will not lose its beauty in any adverse condition.
Apart from adding grace to your yard, pines also provide shadow to some plants so that they can thrive well.
But, remember pine does not let much sunlight pass through its needles; only daylight-intolerant plants can survive under it.
A pine tree makes the surrounding soil acidic and creates a water shortage in the ambient mold.
So, a gardener should plant only some sturdy bushes under it so they can survive even in a challenging environment.
What can you plant under pine trees?
Even though you can make the surrounding soil of the pine trees more liberal for other plants, it can affect the former. So, below we have listed 11 beautiful plants that can live even in dreadful conditions under pines.
1) Azalea
Azalea belongs to the Rhododendron family.
A bush with magnificent flowers of different hues is a pleasure and eye-soothing at the same time.
This springtime blooming shrub loves to stay under the shade, so it can be a great herb to keep under a pine tree. The whole look of your garden will change too due to this plant.
2) Creeping phlox
Do not hesitate to select this option for the name.
This vibrant delight is a pure contrast to the word- creeping.
This flowering shrub with a hue of tranquility prefers shade and is drought-tolerant. So if you plant it underneath pines, your garden will look divine in spring.
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3) Ferns
Even though ferns do not blossom, this added leafy variety brings a monsoon-forest-like vibe to your backyard.
As they prefer shadowy places, you can plant them near a pine tree for added beauty.
4) Hosta
Hosta or giboshi belongs to the plantain lilies family.
This perennial plant has shade and ignorance tolerance.
You can effortlessly shift it anywhere you want at any time. So if you are a lazy gardener, planting hosta will save your time and multiply the elegance of your garden a thousand times.
5) Hydrangeas
This flowering shrub blossoms in spring and summer.
As hydrangeas thrive well in acidic soil, the encompassing mold of a pine tree would be best for them.
A large pine tree surrounded by stunning flowering bushes is a delight to the eyes and escalates the look of your lawn.
A passionate gardener always embellishes his garden, as it expresses his aesthetic value. So if you are one of them, you can plant hydrangeas under the pine tree.
6) Jacob’s ladder
Polemonium caeruleum or Jacob’s ladder is a robust perennial plant that blooms in spring and summertime.
They have stunning foliage, and their appearance resembles the ladder from the biblical dream of Jacob. As they prefer indirect sunlight with partial shade, you can consider keeping it under your pine trees.
A bed of lavender and white flowers under the woody pines will add beauty to your yard. Even though the flowering plant is ignorance-tolerant, you need to provide adequate moisture to it.
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7) Lily of the valley
Imagine your tall monotonous pine tree gets accompanied by a patch of white chime-shaped lily of the valley florets underneath it.
This delightful sight can pause you even in a hectic schedule.
Convallaria majalis is a blooming plant that is native to a dry, cool climate.
So it will be a perfect companion to your pine trees. Your garden in spring would become more graceful with the scented white lilies trailing from the curved stem.
8) Rhododendron
The elegant blossoms of this evergreen plant will unfurl under your bland pine trees, creating a profuse, aromatic tapestry.
As they thrive well in partial sun or shade, Rhododendrons will grow under your pines.
You do not have to worry about the soil type because they prefer soil with a bit of acidic pH.
Since they start to bloom from the fall, your snow-covered garden will get a little charm at that time. Rhododendron allures birds to them, so it will be an enhanced adventure for you also.
9) Sweet woodruff
Galium odoratum or sweet woodruff is a sweet-scented herb that will be an apt inclusion to the shade gardens.
You can plant this bedstraw at the base of any woody tree to make a lustrous, colorful, fragrant bed there.
This leafy bush emits a sweet smell so that the air of your garden can freshen up.
Their pentagonal twirl of leaves and frilly white flowers will create a groundcover with a delicate texture.
As sweet woodruff survives only in partial sun, the base of your pine tree will be the apt place for them. They can also spread quickly in moist soil.
10) Wild geranium
Wild geranium or cranesbill can also be an option to partner with your pine trees because they love shade or partial sun.
They allure birds and butterflies to them. So you can expect some winged guests in your nursery during spring and summer.
11) Woodland sunflower
Woodland sunflower is another wildflower that can be a perfect companion to pine trees.
Helianthus divaricatus grows spiky, tiny, yellow flowers from mid-summer to autumn. Since they do not care about sunlight and moisture, placing them under pines will save you regular maintenance.
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Will anything grow under pine trees?
You cannot grow all plants under pine trees because of the shade and acidity of the soil. You need to wisely choose the herbs to plant under it since there will be a lack of moisture in the ambient soil.
Pine trees make the soil acidic and create an adverse environment for the neighboring plants.
So only some vigorous shrubs can survive under pines.
The fallen needles from the pine disrupt the growth of plants and even grasses.
Careless digging around pine trees can also harm the roots, so it is wise to consider a few things before selecting trees to plant under pines.
A) The adaptability of acidity in the soil:
Since pine trees thrive well in acidic soil, you cannot neutralize it.
But most of the plants cannot survive in the mold with a pH lower than 7. So, before placing any tree under pines, always check whether it does well in acidic soil.
There are plenty of bushes that grow in astringent mold.
Plants that belong to the category of azaleas, rhododendron, daffodils, camellias, and hydrangea will be the best partner for the pines.
B) The shade-tolerant plant will be the best companion:
Since the dense pine needles do not allow much light to pass through them, plants with shade tolerance will do the best.
If you plant trees that require full sun, lack of daylight will disrupt them to thrive, and the leaves can turn pale too.
So if you are thinking of decorating the base of your pines, choose plants native to coral bells, foxglove, primrose, and Japanese forest grass categories.
C) A robust herb that does not need much moisture:
Find a plant that can fight with pine trees to get enough water.
But things will get a lot easier if you seed plants that require minimal or even no water sometimes.
Surely there will be no battle for water if you plant blue spire, red valerian, bloody geranium, orange daylily, and milfoil under the pine.
These plants will also create a lacy, aromatic carpet at the base of the woody tree.
As groundcovers generally fall under the robust category and adapt to any situation, you can try growing moneywort, wild ginger, deadnettle, and ferns under pines.
Can grass grow under pine trees?
Grass cannot grow under pine trees, but there are ways to fix it. Many gardeners face issues of having a bare patch under their pine trees because they cannot grow grass. If you investigate the reasons for it, you will find four of them, which are as follows.
1) The sunlight cannot pass through the densely packed pine needles.
2) The intense competition for water under pine trees is real. Grass loves sprinkling. Daily watering and adequate moisture are what keep them shiny and velvety.
3) Grass cannot survive in acidic soil.
4) Drooping pine needles make the environment more adverse. As they create a thick carpet under the tree, the grass cannot get minimal light.
But if you are thinking of placing grass under pines, do not worry. There is a way to fix the problems. To neutralize the soil for the grass, amend the mold with agricultural lime.
Can hostas grow under pine trees?
Since hostas are shade-tolerant plants, you can grow them under pine trees. A minimal alteration in the soil will help this leafy bush to thrive well at the base of the woody trees. You can follow the below tips to grow hostas under pines.
- Before placing hostas, add enough compost and fertilizer to the mold.
- A scheduled watering will upgrade the situation.
Can ferns grow under pine trees?
Yes, ferns can grow under pine trees due to their robust characteristics. In landscape gardening, pines look great while accompanied by ferns.
It is hard to find an apt plant to grow at the base of pines.
In most cases, they ask for high maintenance. But ferns can grow anywhere and do not mind the acidic tendency of the soil. Since they are drought-tolerant, you need not worry about the moisture.
Can hydrangeas grow under pine trees?
Yes, hydrangeas can grow under pines. The tricks this hearty shrub applies to help them to survive at the base of pines.
The hydrangeas roots stay on the mold’s upper surface and help them get all the necessary nutrients without competing with dense pine roots.
Even though hydrangeas require full sun to bloom, they can stay healthy even in partial light. But if you want them to flower more, consider choosing a pine with not-so-dense canopies.
Can peonies grow under pine trees?
No, peonies cannot survive under pines. If you are planning to seed some plants under them, you have to eliminate peonies from the list.
They will not be the wise choice to place in an area which gets partial or no sun.
They even do not do well in acidic soil. The neighboring plants of the pines need to share resources with it. Since moisture is an essential environmental factor peony needs, they cannot be a great partner of pines.
Can roses grow under pine trees?
Yes, you can grow roses under pine trees, though they require higher maintenance. But if you are obstinate about planting roses under the woody plant, you need to follow the below steps.
Adjust the ambient soil with compost and organic fertilizers.
It will be wise to plant roses under a pine tree, allowing at least 6 hours of sunlight to reach the ground.
As roses prefer drowning in water once per week, you can do it often to moisture it. But, let the plant dry before the next sprinkling.
Can raspberries grow under pine trees?
Yes, a gardener can grow raspberries under pine trees because they get their preferred environment there. Raspberries grow the sweetest berries if planted in a soil of pH 5.5-6.5, which is the exact acidity level of pines.
Besides, the fallen pine needles, as a mulch, multiply the essential nutrients of the soil.
So you do not need to put extra fertilizer. Along with adding beauty to the garden, raspberries also provide you with delicious berries to munch.
End thought
If you have a pine or plan to get it in your garden, you can plant something underneath it.
It will add charm to the yard.
All you have to do is to consider growing herbs from the list we have shared. But if you have other options in your mind, check whether they go along with pines.