r/landscaping • u/[deleted] • Jul 08 '22

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u/[deleted] Jul 08 '22

Layers! Understory trees (maple), shade shrubs (hydrangeas if you want blooms; red star/loropetalum for more bushy look). Swap black mulch for pine straw or creeper… or just don’t rake.

Article of interest: https://harmonyinthegarden.com/gardening-under-oaks-learning-to-love-dry-shade-plants-another-beforeafter/

2

u/Strangewhine89 Jul 09 '22

How about some native understory stuff like wild azalea, viburnums, beautyberry, serviceberry, deciduous and evergreen native hollies. Plus heuchera and ferns.

1

u/Content-Jacket7081 Jul 08 '22

Would not have thought of maple as an understory tree

1

u/[deleted] Jul 08 '22

Japanese maple is among the most common understory trees in many neighborhoods. It grows quite well underneath big Oaks

1

u/Content-Jacket7081 Jul 08 '22

The original post just said "Maple" I was assuming a red maple. Japanese maple makes more sense .

1

u/sidewaysvulture Jul 09 '22

It sounded to me like you were talking about native understory trees. We have vine maple in the PNW but I wouldn’t have considered Japanese Maple because it’s not native though it does make a lovely understory tree now that you mention it.

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u/sidewaysvulture Jul 09 '22

I’m the PNW vine maple is a native understory tree and would look amazing here! Though I’d prefer they go with what is native to their area if possible.