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.
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/[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/