There are certain conditions under conifers that not every plant can cope with. Therefore, it is important to inform yourself accordingly before planting under fir trees. Find out below which plants you can plant under your fir trees.
Rhododendrons also grow in the shade of fir trees
The special conditions among firs
Fir trees often have a very dense needlework. If there are several fir trees next to each other, almost no sunlight falls on the ground below. In addition, the falling needles ensure an acidic soil climate. Real fir trees are deep-rooted and do not compete for space and soil with underplanted plants. However, hemlock, cedar and spruce are shallow-rooted, which can lead to space problems.
So, plants for planting under fir trees must:
- get by with very little light
- thrive in slightly acidic soil
- be shallow-rooted if it is one of the shallow-rooted conifers mentioned above
These plants grow under fir trees
Now you don't need to despair; there are quite a few plants that can handle these conditions. Ferns, mosses and many different types of grass, for example, have no problem with such locations. Succulents are also quite undemanding. There are also a number of flowering plants and small shrubs that are suitable for planting under fir trees. Here is an overview:
Flowering plants for underplanting firs
| Surname | heyday | flower color | features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astilbe (Magnificent Pier) | June to September | Various bright colors | Also decorative as a dry plant in winter |
| aconite | September October | violet | Poisonous |
| Cashmere Bergenie | March to April | pink, violet | Not evergreen |
| Cranesbill species | Different depending on the variety | violet | Pretty foliage |
Low shrubs for planting under firs
Shrubs and small trees usually do better with shade than flowering plants. Some of them keep their leaves even in winter - like the firs. Below is a selection of low shrubs for underplanting your fir trees.
| Surname | features | wintergreen |
|---|---|---|
| pillow snowball | White flowers, blue berries | Yes |
| rhododendron | Typical plant for planting under firs, rich in flowers | Most of the time yes |
| checkerberry | Decorative red fruits | Yes |
| holly | Poisonous, beautiful red fruits, tolerates shade very well | Yes |
| Carpet Dogwood | Ground cover with pretty white flowers | Yes |
| rowanberry | Edible red fruits | No, beautiful autumn colors |
tips
You can also plant something edible under your fir trees! Just think of a forest… What grows there? Sure, blueberries, lingonberries and wild strawberries!