Looking for Ideas - landscaping around large tree

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
RickALO Waterloo, IA Mar 22, 2015

I have an area in my back yard that is a pain to mow around, and think it might be a good place to put some plantings in. The best way to explain is to look at the attached photos...

Specifically, its the area around the base of the large tree over to the garden area on the edge of our property line (including the rock).

I was thinking of tying the garden area along the edge of the property to around the tree base. This area is on the South to SW side of our house, and gets some sun. The tree is ~30'-40' feet tall, and its leaves will block some of the sun.

We are located in NE Iowa (Waterloo).... any ideas (landscaping materials, plants, bushes, etc.) are greatly appreciated! With Spring finally here, I am getting antsy to get out and spruce up the yard!

Thumbnail by RickALO Thumbnail by RickALO Thumbnail by RickALO
Post #10040867
Quote
Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) Mar 22, 2015

The tree roots will make it hard to plant anything in that area. You can continue the rock theme, by making a circle around the tree outside the yellow line (farther from the trunk is better), then adding some soil. Never higher around the trunk than the existing soil though. Just add some soil inside the rock circle. They you can use that as a focal point with some annual flowers.

Post #10041179
Quote
Wifeygirl (Caitlin) Fresno, CA(Zone 9b) Mar 24, 2015

I agree with Diana K that I'd move your yellow line out a bit, to the natural indentation that seems to exist there in your first pic. =)

I think it'd be really pretty and inviting to put a bench at the base of the tree, and then some pots with other plants around it using that as a focal point.

Post #10042180
Quote
Sequoiadendron4 Lititz, PA(Zone 6b) Mar 30, 2015

I would make the top edges of the yellow line spread out farther. This would make it a gentler taper back into the existing bed. If this is a maple tree, good luck planting anything around there. I would try to plant something that will do most of the work itself, meaning, a good spreading plant. This way you would plant a handful of individuals and let them spread on their own over time, eventually filling the space. Lamium, tiarella, pachasandra, vinca, are all good spreaders for a drier situation like under your tree. As Wifey said, a bench might be nice as well.

Post #10045197
Quote
Wifeygirl (Caitlin) Fresno, CA(Zone 9b) Mar 30, 2015

Get one of those curving benches, that curves around the base of the tree! That would really draw people down there. =D

Post #10045209
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Beginner Gardening Threads

Go to all Beginner Gardening threads
BACK TO TOP