16 Best Plants To Grow Under Trees For Landscaping

Creating a lush landscape under trees might seem tricky — the shade, dry soil, and thick roots can make planting tough. But with the right mix of hardy, shade-loving plants, that neglected patch beneath your trees can become one of the most charming areas in your garden.

 These sixteen plants not only thrive in those conditions but add beauty, texture, and year-round interest to your yard.

Hostas

Hostas are the go-to favorite for any shaded garden. Their wide, textured leaves come in greens, blues, and variegated patterns, instantly creating a full, layered look under trees. They love moist, well-drained soil and thrive in dappled shade. Mix large and small varieties to give your garden a naturally tiered, elegant feel.

Ferns

Ferns bring effortless elegance to shady spots. Their feathery fronds soften hard edges and add a woodland vibe under tall trees. Japanese Painted Ferns and Lady Ferns are great choices for a pop of color and texture. They prefer rich, moist soil and do best where sunlight gently filters through the branches.

Heuchera (Coral Bells)

Heucheras are perfect for adding vibrant color beneath trees. With foliage ranging from deep plum to silver-green, they provide striking contrast against bark and mulch. They thrive in partial shade and well-drained soil, staying beautiful from spring through fall. Combine several colors for a painterly, modern look.

Astilbe

Astilbe’s feathery flower plumes bring soft color and structure to shaded areas. Their pink, white, and red blossoms light up darker corners, while the lush foliage fills gaps beautifully. They love moisture, so enrich the soil with compost for best growth. Pair with ferns or hostas for a dreamy woodland mix.

Lamium (Dead Nettle)

If you need quick, low-growing coverage under trees, Lamium is a winner. Its silvery leaves and tiny purple or white blooms reflect light and brighten the base of trunks. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant and very low maintenance, making it perfect for effortless charm.

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)

The whimsical heart-shaped blooms of Bleeding Hearts create a fairytale feel in shaded gardens. They flourish in cool, damp spots beneath trees and mix beautifully with ferns or hostas. Their delicate pink and white flowers appear in spring, adding romance and nostalgia to your garden design.

Pulmonaria (Lungwort)

Pulmonaria adds year-round interest with its spotted leaves and clusters of blue and pink flowers. It thrives in full to partial shade and resists deer and rabbits, making it great for low-care gardens. It’s one of the first plants to bloom in spring, bringing life back to your landscape after winter.

Ajuga (Bugleweed)

Ajuga forms a dense carpet of glossy leaves, ideal for filling tricky spaces under trees. Its bronze or purple foliage stays attractive all year, and in spring it produces lovely blue flower spikes. It’s tolerant of both shade and light sun, spreads quickly, and suppresses weeds naturally.

Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa)

Japanese Forest Grass adds graceful motion and elegance to shaded areas. Its cascading golden-green blades shimmer in filtered sunlight, creating a soft, flowing effect. Plant it under birches or maples for a modern, Zen-inspired garden look that’s always camera-ready.

Brunnera (Siberian Bugloss)

Brunnera brings a romantic touch with its delicate blue flowers and large, heart-shaped silver leaves. It brightens shady areas beautifully, especially when paired with ferns or Heuchera. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and is perfect for adding color and texture beneath tree canopies.

Pachysandra

Pachysandra is a tough evergreen ground cover that handles deep shade with ease. Its dense, glossy leaves create a clean and polished look that lasts year-round. It’s ideal for filling larger spaces under trees, where it can spread gently and keep weeds away.

Lily of the Valley

Few plants are as charming as Lily of the Valley. Its tiny white, bell-shaped flowers have a sweet fragrance that fills the air in spring. It thrives in cool, shaded soil and spreads over time, making it perfect for naturalizing under large trees or along shaded walkways.

Epimedium (Barrenwort)

Epimedium is one of the most underrated under-tree plants. It tolerates dry shade and still manages to look beautiful year-round. Its delicate spring flowers and heart-shaped leaves — often tinged in bronze or pink — bring a soft, storybook charm to your landscape.

Hydrangea (Shade Varieties)

If you want lush color beneath trees, hydrangeas are a showstopper. Varieties like ‘Annabelle’ or oakleaf hydrangeas thrive in partial shade and produce large, showy blooms in summer. Their rich foliage and floral clusters add volume and structure to shady spaces effortlessly.

Bergenia (Pigsqueak)

Bergenia stands out with its thick, glossy leaves and vivid pink or red spring flowers. Its foliage often turns bronze in winter, keeping visual interest through the seasons. It’s hardy, low-maintenance, and excellent for filling gaps beneath trees while adding color and texture.

Solomon’s Seal

Solomon’s Seal brings grace and flow to shaded gardens. Its arching stems and dangling white blooms add elegance and movement, perfect for balancing rough bark textures. It spreads slowly, forming natural drifts that give your garden a peaceful, timeless appeal.

Design Tip

When landscaping beneath trees, think in layers — tall plants like Solomon’s Seal or Astilbe at the back, medium foliage like Hostas or Heucheras in the middle, and ground covers like Ajuga or Lamium in front. This natural progression makes the space look lush and full while keeping it easy to maintain.

Pro Tip for Low Maintenance

Before planting, mix compost into the topsoil to boost nutrients, then add a thin layer of mulch to retain moisture. Just be sure to keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot.

Budget-Friendly Planting Setup

You don’t have to spend much to make your under-tree garden stunning. Start with easy, fast-spreading plants like Lamium or Ajuga for quick coverage. Add two or three accent plants such as Hostas or Heucheras for structure and color. With about $40–$60, you can transform even a large shaded area into a cohesive, designer-looking garden.

A Little Shade Magic Goes a Long Way

Designing around trees isn’t about forcing plants to survive — it’s about finding beauty in shade. These sixteen plants thrive in those conditions, filling the ground with texture, color, and character. Once they take root, they ask for little care and reward you with a landscape that feels peaceful, layered, and beautifully intentional all year long.