Another shady site problem

We have a Magnolia grandiflora tree smack-dab front-and-center in our back yard. (At least it is now; until two years ago, there was an apple tree planted 10' - if that - right in front of it. Two years of hauling off loads of rotten apples and watching both trees fight for air and sunlight made the decision to cut down the apple tree fairly easy.)

Anyway, here's a shot of this poor thing, as you can see someone had the bright idea of limbing it up (not us!), and it'll never achieve it's full glory, but it is starting to develop an almost-normal shape again (did I mention the previous owners also sheared it into a rounded crown???)

to be continued...

So....as you can imagine, not only is it dark under this tree, but a little damp - not exactly a place conducive for grass to grow. For two years I've stared at this eyesore spot, walked under the tree, around the tree, peered at the soil, and knew I needed to do something....

At long last, I had an epiphany. (Okay, maybe that's a little over the top, but I DID have a great idea (I think so, anyway ;o)

I'm going to encircle the base of the tree with Vinca minor 'Illumination', in a circle about 12' wide; here are some pictures of the plant:
http://www.forestfarm.com/search/closeup.asp?PlantID=vimi029
http://plantsdatabase.com/showimage/4657/

And place a small stone edging to keep the plants and mulch in place, and give a better line for mowing.

The biggest concern I have is damaging the tree roots - after I kill what little grass there is, I'd like to add an inch or two of rotted compost/manure/leafmold before I plant. (Our soil is lovely red clay, wherever it isn't pure rock.) Should that cause any problems for the tree roots?

Are there any other problems I should be taking into consideration before I plunge in?

Yoy are such a considerate and caring gardener!!!! I would just plow ahead and make that old tree do what I wanted. I commend you!

Vinca is so shallow.... whats the harm? Nothing a little food couldnt fix.... eh?

Terry, we have a huge Magnolia on the west side of our home that has created the same difficulties you have had regarding grass growth and such. We carefully planted pachysandra a couple of feet from the base of the tree and further out I encircled it with about 10 hostas and a few other shade-loving plants. The pachysandra has multiplied nicely and I now have about 10 more hostas to plant in that area. I am very careful when digging not to disturb the tree roots. We have the added problem of erosion in the area because we are on a hill. Your plan to compost sounds great. Mulch needs to be kept away from the base of the tree and not layered too heavily. I've found our county extension agents very helpful.

Terry.........if that's what you want, I got it. Will send to you SASE, also have the solid green if you want some of that too for faster fill in.......LMK.

"eyes"

your plan seems sound to me. Just not too close to the trunk - but it doesn't sound like you are planning to get very close. I think if you leave a 'safe zone' of a few feet from the trunk alone, your plan will work fine. An inch of compost shouldn't hurt anything (again, not too close).

I have an area under an oak where even weeds will not grow, so I know your pain. I've added not more than an inch of dirt to help level the area out, with no harm done. Still, nothing will grow there, but at least it's more level . . .

Cheri'

Terry, I don't have a Southern Magnolia, but I do have a cultivar of a Saucer Magnolia, and I had the same difficulty as you: the limbs are so low down, so little light gets through. My solution was pretty much the same as you are thinking: I found a groundcover that would tolerate low light levels, was mostly rhizomatous so wouldn't hog water or nutrients. As a matter of fact, that is mostly my way of planting in my native woodland backyard. I favor mostly natives, because of the terrible clay, and because of our never-ending difficulties with drainage -- underground spring streams that dry up in summer.

Vinca minor does well, pachysandra, many of the native ephemerals -- claytonia, mertensia, trillium, etc. as well as some non-natives: anemones, hyathincoides, crocus, colchicums.

In the 4 years of my magnolia, I have been complimented by several neighbors that mine is the healthiest looking of all in town! Obviously it prefers having something under it to help cover the bare soil.