- Select tree disc planting professionally - this is how it works
- Planting a tree disc - looking over the shoulder of guerrilla gardeners
When the garden is green and blooming on several levels, the planting plan is a creative hit. The skilful planting of tree discs makes an important contribution to imaginatively closing the visual gaps between the crown and the ground. Of course, not all plants can cope with the special light conditions and root pressure at this location. This guide provides you with suitable types and varieties for planting tree discs.
Not all plants thrive in the shade of a tree
Select tree disc planting professionally - this is how it works
Different climatic conditions prevail on tree discs in the smallest of spaces. Dry shade dominates near the trunk on the northern side. The light conditions brighten along the outer tree disc and the soil is wetter. If you take these general conditions into account when choosing plants, the entire tree grate will shine in floral splendor. The following overview gives you a closer look at recommended types and varieties:
Location: near the trunk with a northerly orientation
- Balkan cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum)
- Japanese ornamental fern (Athyrium niponicum 'Metallicum')
- Hellebore, palm leaf (Helleborus foetidus)
- Wild poppy (Meconopsis cambrica)
Location: Middle to outer tree disc
- Dwarf hostas (Hosta minor)
- Purple bells (Heuchera villosa 'Berry Smoothie')
- Great masterwort (Astrantia major)
- Clove Root (Geum coccineum)
- Japanese sedge (Carex morrowii 'Variegata').
Keep an eye out for easy-care plants for greening tree pits, focus on the evergreen ground cover creeping honeysuckle (Lonicera pileata) and creeping spindle (Euonymus fortunei). The deciduous counterpart with equally modest requirements is the low purple berry (Symphoricarpos x chenaultii), which thrives equally splendidly in sun and full shade and gives the cold shoulder to any root pressure.
Specialists in shallow-rooted trees
The most popular trees for the front yard are flat-rooted, such as the wonderful globe maple 'Globosum'. Where there are strong root strands directly below the surface of the earth, floral specialists are needed for the planting of the tree pit. Periwinkle (Vinca minor), elfin flowers (Epimedium) and the golden strawberry (Waldsteinia ternata) fulfill this special order with flying colours.
Planting a tree disc - looking over the shoulder of guerrilla gardeners
Empty coffers in cities and municipalities result in unsightly tree grates along the streets. The residents no longer wanted to tolerate the sadness of rampant weeds under the trees and are increasingly taking the planting into their own hands. The results are so promising that many local governments are even encouraging the guerrilla gardeners to continue planting. It is interesting for home gardeners that the following plant species have proven themselves on tree grates:
- Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea)
- Concard flowers (Agrostemma githago)
- Panicle foxtail (Amaranthus cruentus)
- Marigolds (Calendula officinalis)
- Fingered Corydalis (Corydalis solida)
The gardening activists are now backing away from ivy (Hedera helix) as tree discs. The strong-growing ground cover is unsuitable for the tightly limited space in inner-city areas. House gardeners benefit from this knowledge and also do not use ivy as underplanting for house trees in the front yard and small garden.
tips
The walnut tree relies on a clever defense strategy against root competition on its tree disc. The autumn leaves are packed with germ-inhibiting substances that make life difficult for any underplanting. In order to stage walnut trees decoratively, we recommend a mulch layer made of colored pine bark or paving with small plasters that protect the roots.