looking for flower help for tree base

jodi&matt

I am looking for some flower suggestions for flowers that would go around the base of a tree in my front yard.  The tree is pretty small and doesn't provide any shade so it get full to part sun.  I would like a perinnial but am open to any suggestions.  I like pinks, purples, and yellows.

pdxmouse

Just one, low-growing like a tree ring? Or a bed with a tree in it?

My yard doesn't get enough sun so on my wishlist (for when I get more sun): canna, dahlia, bee balm, wall flower, crocosmia, lupine, poppies. My someday yard will blind you from a distance. 

~NB~

Planting around the base of a young tree is bad for the tree. You should just mulch it. But, if you insist on flowers, plant spring bulbs, because they at least will go dormant in summer when the tree needs the most moisture. Plant them in the fall.

~NB~

I should add, those twins are absolutely adorable.

pdxmouse

NB: When I'm looking in gardening and landscaping books and they have a small tree incorporated in a bed -- is it just a dwarf or large shrub or do they not care so much about the long-term health and are just going for the photo?

Next I'm going to learn that they're airbrushing plants to make them thinner, aren't I? 

~NB~

pdxmouse:

NB: When I'm looking in gardening and landscaping books and they have a small tree incorporated in a bed -- is it just a dwarf or large shrub or do they not care so much about the long-term health and are just going for the photo?

Next I'm going to learn that they're airbrushing plants to make them thinner, aren't I? 

Trees and shrubs should be in planting beds. Not sure what you mean here. I will say that there is no shortage of landscape professionals who do things I disagree with and proudly display photos of it. As far as other, smaller plants sharing space within the same planting bed, by all means do that; but give the tree some room. Keep several feet clear of competing vegetation, and keep it mulched.

Grass is the worst thing to plant under a tree or shrub, because grass is such a huge water hog. Bulbs are not! Bulbs store water and carbohydrates, so whenever people feel that impulse to dress up their landscapes and play ring-around-the tree, I always suggest bulbs. That's also why I like all trees and shrubs to be inside planting beds, and the grass area to be confined and separated.

I certainly understand the motive to have a beautiful yard, but I also am interested in science and environmental stewardship. I did a lot of stupid things too, before I learned better; but at least there wasn't long term damage or much photographic evidence.

Lora73

I saw phlox around a tree by me and I thought it looked pretty.

pdxmouse

I'm still learning about design. I always helped my mom in the garden growing up (northern California -- VERY different climate) but because her sister is a landscape architect, we always had a plan to follow. So now I'm learning in a yard that's seen a lot of abuse and neglect.

Because I don't want to impose on my aunt, I'm mostly learning design from books and magazines. That and roaming my neighborhood to see what does well here. I tear out "inspiration pics" all the time. Sadly, I find some of those pictures are a bit more staged than I expected. I know it's about demand, but it's frustrating to someone trying to garden sustainably.

~NB~

pdxmouse:

I'm mostly learning design from books and magazines. I tear out "inspiration pics" all the time. I find some of those pictures are a bit more staged than I expected.

Truer words were never spoken.