I’ve tried tucking all sorts of ground covers under my trees, and let me tell you—it’s not as easy as it sounds. Some just can’t handle the shade, roots, or competition for moisture.
These 17 ground covers gave me more headaches than greenery. They start off looking hopeful, then slowly fizzle out while everything else thrives. If you’ve been there too, this list might sound all too familiar.
1. Hostas
Many gardeners reach for hostas as their go-to shade plant, but they often struggle beneath established trees. These moisture-loving perennials simply can’t compete with aggressive tree roots for water and nutrients. Their broad leaves also collect less light in deep shade.
Establishment becomes nearly impossible without regular supplemental watering, especially during the first two growing seasons. While mature hostas might survive, they’ll rarely thrive, producing smaller leaves and fewer flowers than those planted in less competitive locations. Consider planting hostas at the outer edges of a tree’s canopy instead.
2. Astilbe
Despite being marketed as shade-tolerant, astilbes face significant hurdles when planted beneath trees. These feathery-flowered beauties demand consistent moisture and rich soil – precisely what’s lacking in root-filled areas under trees. Their shallow root systems simply can’t compete.
When deprived of adequate water, astilbes quickly develop crispy, brown leaf edges and fail to produce their signature plume-like blooms. Even with supplemental irrigation, the extensive root networks of trees and shrubs intercept much of the water before it reaches these struggling perennials. For best results, plant astilbes in woodland edges rather than directly under tree canopies.
3. Impatiens
The vivid colors of impatiens might seem perfect for brightening shady spots, but placing them beneath trees often leads to disappointment. These annual flowers can’t effectively battle established tree roots for essential resources, leaving them perpetually stressed. Water simply doesn’t reach their roots consistently enough.
Even shade-loving impatiens need some dappled sunlight to produce their characteristic abundant blooms. Under dense tree canopies, flowering becomes sparse at best. Additionally, the dry conditions created by thirsty tree roots make impatiens particularly susceptible to spider mites and other pests that prey on weakened plants.
4. Lavender
Sun-loving lavender stands virtually no chance when planted beneath trees or shrubs. These Mediterranean herbs require full sun exposure for at least 6-8 hours daily to develop their signature fragrant oils and vibrant blooms. The filtered light under tree canopies simply isn’t sufficient.
Even more problematic is lavender’s absolute need for well-drained, almost dry soil conditions. The competition from tree roots combined with increased shade creates an environment where lavender’s root system rots easily. Plants typically become leggy, produce few flowers, and eventually succumb to fungal issues in these unsuitable conditions.
5. Hydrangeas
Though technically shrubs themselves, hydrangeas often struggle when planted beneath larger trees. The intense root competition leaves these moisture-loving plants perpetually thirsty, resulting in wilting despite regular watering efforts. Their shallow root systems simply can’t compete with established trees.
Hydrangeas planted under trees typically produce smaller flower heads with less vibrant colors than those grown in more favorable locations. The reduced light levels under dense canopies further compounds the problem, as even shade-tolerant hydrangea varieties need some filtered sunlight to bloom properly. Better results come from planting at the periphery of tree canopies.
6. Roses
The queen of flowers becomes a shadow of herself when planted beneath trees or large shrubs. Roses demand abundant sunlight – at least 6 hours daily – to produce the energy needed for their spectacular blooms. Under tree canopies, they grow leggy and produce few flowers.
Beyond light issues, roses face fierce competition from tree roots for nutrients and water. Even with supplemental feeding, they rarely thrive in these conditions. Disease problems also multiply as reduced air circulation under trees creates the humid, stagnant environment that black spot and powdery mildew adore. Roses simply need their own space to perform well.
7. Tulips
Spring-flowering tulips often disappoint when planted beneath trees and shrubs. These bulbs require considerable sunlight during their growing season to store energy for next year’s blooms. Under dense canopies, they typically flower once then fade away completely.
The real challenge comes from aggressive tree roots that literally squeeze tulip bulbs out of their planting spots over time. This root competition also depletes soil nutrients that tulips need to perform well. Additionally, the dry conditions under established trees prevent tulips from completing their growth cycle properly, resulting in smaller flowers and shorter stems.
8. Daylilies
Despite their reputation for toughness, daylilies rarely perform well beneath established trees. These perennials need at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight to produce their cheerful blooms. Under tree canopies, flowering becomes sparse or stops entirely, leaving just fans of foliage.
The root competition from trees creates additional stress for daylilies, resulting in smaller plants with fewer flower scapes. While they might survive in these conditions, they certainly won’t display the vigor and floriferousness that makes them garden favorites. For best results, plant daylilies where tree roots haven’t yet established dominance.
9. Peonies
Beloved for their sumptuous blooms, peonies become mere shadows of themselves when planted beneath trees. These long-lived perennials demand several hours of direct sunlight to produce their magnificent flowers. In the shade of trees, they develop weak stems with few if any blooms.
Peonies also resent disturbance, making them poor companions for trees whose roots constantly shift through the soil. The competition for nutrients leaves peonies struggling to establish properly. Once planted, peonies can live for decades – but only if given their own space away from the competitive root zones of trees and large shrubs.
10. Coneflowers
Native prairie coneflowers (Echinacea) need wide-open spaces, not the challenging conditions beneath trees. These sun-worshippers require 6-8 hours of direct sunlight to fuel their impressive blooming ability. When planted in tree shade, they stretch awkwardly toward any available light.
Beyond insufficient light, coneflowers struggle with the dry, nutrient-poor conditions created by tree roots. Plants become stunted with minimal flowering, defeating their purpose as pollinator magnets. Their natural prairie habitat offers full sun and deep soil without competition – conditions impossible to replicate under established trees. Save these natives for sunnier garden spots.
11. Coral Bells
Though marketed as shade plants, coral bells (Heuchera) frequently disappoint when placed directly beneath trees. Their shallow root systems cannot effectively compete with established tree roots for water and nutrients. During dry spells, they’re often the first plants to show stress.
The colorful foliage that makes coral bells so popular fades significantly in deep shade. Those vibrant purples, oranges and lime greens need some filtered sunlight to develop their characteristic intensity. Additionally, the constant moisture fluctuations under trees can cause root heaving during freeze-thaw cycles, pushing these shallow-rooted perennials out of the ground entirely.
12. Lamb’s Ear
The velvety silver foliage of lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina) loses much of its charm when this plant struggles beneath trees. These Mediterranean natives actually prefer sunny, dry conditions with excellent drainage – not the root-filled, often seasonally soggy areas under trees.
When lamb’s ear receives insufficient sunlight, its signature fuzzy leaves become sparse and stretched, losing the tight rosette form that makes the plant attractive. Worse, the combination of shade and competition for water creates perfect conditions for fungal problems. The fuzzy leaves trap moisture against the crown, leading to rot issues that can quickly destroy entire plantings.
13. Black-Eyed Susans
Prairie-native black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) crave sunlight and struggle mightily when planted beneath trees. These cheerful flowers need full sun exposure to produce their characteristic abundant blooms. In shade, they grow lanky with sparse flowering and weak stems that flop over.
Competition from tree roots compounds the light problem, leaving black-eyed Susans perpetually stressed. Their natural habitat offers deep, rich soil without competition – the opposite of conditions found under trees. While they might survive for a season or two, they gradually weaken and disappear rather than forming the impressive naturalizing colonies seen in sunnier locations.
14. Creeping Phlox
The cascading spring blooms of creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) rarely materialize when this ground cover battles tree roots. These mat-forming perennials require several hours of direct sunlight to produce their carpet of flowers. Under trees, they develop sparse growth with minimal blooming.
Beyond light issues, creeping phlox demands excellent drainage – something often lacking in the compacted soil beneath established trees. The plants frequently succumb to crown rot in these conditions. Additionally, the aggressive competition from tree roots prevents phlox from forming the dense mats that make it so effective at suppressing weeds in sunnier locations.
15. Ornamental Grasses
Most ornamental grasses develop disappointing form and texture when placed beneath trees. As prairie and meadow natives, these plants evolved to thrive in open, sunny spaces. The filtered light under tree canopies causes them to grow weakly and lose their characteristic upright form.
The fierce competition for water creates additional stress, preventing ornamental grasses from developing the robust root systems needed for drought tolerance. Instead of forming impressive clumps, they struggle as individual stems. Many varieties also need full sun to develop their signature fall colors and seed heads – features entirely lost when they’re planted in too much shade.
16. Sedum
Succulent sedums face multiple challenges when positioned beneath trees and shrubs. These drought-tolerant perennials actually need abundant sunlight to develop their compact growth habit and vibrant colors. In shade, they stretch awkwardly toward any available light, losing their architectural form.
The naturally dry conditions under trees might seem ideal for these water-wise plants, but sedum’s shallow roots cannot effectively compete with tree roots. Plants remain perpetually undersized and stressed. Additionally, the reduced air circulation under dense canopies creates humidity that can lead to fungal problems – particularly problematic for succulents adapted to drier air conditions.
17. Dianthus
The spicy fragrance and cheerful blooms of dianthus (pinks) disappear when these sun-lovers battle tree roots. These cottage garden classics evolved in open, sunny meadows, not woodland settings. When planted in shade, flowering becomes minimal while stems grow lanky and weak.
Beyond light issues, dianthus demands excellent drainage – something rarely found beneath trees where leaf litter creates seasonal moisture retention. Crown rot frequently claims these plants in such settings. Their shallow root systems also can’t effectively compete with established trees for nutrients and water, leaving them perpetually stressed and vulnerable to pest problems.