Content
Birch in landscape design is quite “self-sufficient”. And this is its big advantage, because choosing “companions” for a tree is quite a difficult task. Nevertheless, it is completely solvable, you just need to take into account its specific features: and then it immediately becomes clear which crops can be planted under a birch tree, and which, even with high-quality and competent care, are not able to take root next to it.
What can you plant next to a birch tree?
The crown of the birch is not too thick; it creates light “openwork” partial shade. Therefore, shade tolerance is not the main criterion taken into account when choosing plants that can be planted next to it.
The main thing to remember is the ability of a tree to very actively “suck” moisture from the soil, leaving practically nothing for the “neighbors” growing nearby. Its root system is superficial, spreading mainly in breadth, 2.5-3 times greater than the “projection” of the crown onto the soil. Depending on the type and age of the tree, the diameter of the circle covered by the roots reaches 3-10 m. Accordingly, only crops that are drought-resistant can be planted nearby.
A birch tree on a site can do without “companions”
Flowers and herbs
Despite the rather “strict” selection criteria, the list of plants that can be planted next to a birch tree is quite long. It includes both flowering and decorative foliage crops, as well as herbs.
The following flowers, which can be planted next to a tree, are distinguished by their ability to simultaneously tolerate light shading and constant drought, develop normally and maintain decorativeness in such conditions:
- iris;
- thin-leaved peony;
- Turkish cloves;
- Asiatic lily;
- Brunner;
- lily of the valley;
- snowdrop;
- daisy;
- primrose;
- marigold;
- lobelia;
- pelargonium;
- dahlia;
- Eschscholzia;
- digitalis;
- crocus;
- phlox subulate;
- periwinkle;
- yaskolka
Gardeners often choose annuals that allow them to change the overall appearance of the composition every season.
The following ornamental grasses can be planted nearby:
- hosta (including variegated);
- fern;
- saxifrage;
- creeping thyme;
- sagebrush.
A composition of decorative foliage plants that can be planted next to a birch tree looks no less impressive than a flower bed
An original solution is a rock garden or rock garden next to a birch tree. This composition allows you to partially “protect” the soil at the roots of flowers and grasses from “draining”. To complement the composition of stones, you can plant on the alpine hill:
- aubrietta;
- yellow corydalis;
- young;
- sedum;
- heuchera;
- prickly pear;
- armeria.
Rock garden is a very popular element in landscape design.
The white trunk entwined with creeping vines looks unusual. As a rule, they grow quickly; to achieve the desired effect, it is enough to plant several specimens nearby. The experience of gardeners shows that the tree is not in danger of being “strangled”. Suitable as a “companion”:
- dolichos or kokornik (aka “hyacinth beans”);
- sweet pea;
- fragrant tobacco;
- kobeya;
- morning glory;
- winged thunbergia;
- calistegia terry;
- princes.
Morning glory is very suitable for any vertical gardening
It is quite possible to combine business with pleasure if you plant aromatic and medicinal herbs nearby. Many of them look decorative not only during flowering. Lucky "neighbors":
- mint (pepper and lemon);
- Melissa;
- St. John's wort;
- blooming Sally;
- sage;
- lavender;
- yarrow;
- calendula;
- Dalmatian chamomile;
- evasive peony (aka “Maryin root”).
The shade tolerance of sage allows it to be planted not only next to birch, but also with other trees with a denser crown.
Shrubs
Ornamental deciduous and flowering shrubs look very good if planted next to a birch tree. However, here you need to remember that the composition should not be “overloaded” and “multicomponent”.Professionals in the field of landscape design in order to plant under a birch tree choose:
- barberry;
- lilac;
- mock orange;
- spirea;
- cotoneaster;
- elder;
- euonymus;
- derain;
- juniper;
- rose hip.
Derain is a deciduous shrub that can be planted next to birch in central Russia and other regions with a temperate climate.
Vegetables
Another way to occupy the maximum possible area of your plot with useful crops is to plant vegetables among the birch trees in your dacha. In “openwork” partial shade, subject to regular watering, you can reap a good harvest:
- beets (“classic” and leaf, also known as chard);
- leaf, cabbage and watercress;
- Luke;
- beans (regular and green), as well as other legumes (peas, lentils, chickpeas);
- spinach;
- asparagus;
- rhubarb;
- sorrel;
- parsley;
- dill;
- borago (borage).
You can reap good harvests from the beds under the birch tree
Mushrooms
Under natural conditions, many mushrooms prefer to “settle” under birch trees. You can plant them in its tree trunk circle and in the garden, as if trying to recreate the natural ecosystem.
The mycelium of champignons and oyster mushrooms is most often found on sale in stores. Both types of mushrooms can be planted near a birch tree.They successfully take root in the shade of its crown, and over time, the latter often even move to the trunk. This does not harm the tree; a kind of symbiosis is formed.
You can also try to transfer mycelium from the forest to your garden plot:
- boletus;
- porcini mushrooms;
- oily;
- honey mushrooms;
- waves;
- milk mushrooms;
- Russula.
The mycelium of “real” forest mushrooms can also be found in specialized stores and on Internet sites. But here, unlike oyster mushrooms and champignons, the chances that it will take root if planted next to a birch tree are significantly less. In general, until recently it was believed that it was impossible in principle to grow wild mushrooms in captivity, but now practice shows that this is by no means the case.
In nature, some mushrooms grow exclusively under birch trees; you can try planting them next to it and on your own plot
Neighborhood with trees
Only dwarf trees that do not have a spreading crown can be planted near a birch tree. With any “large-sized” crops, it begins to “compete” for “dominance” not only underground, but also in the “airspace”. This negatively affects the growth and development of both trees; they noticeably lose their decorative properties and may even die.
Without mutual “oppression”, birch is able to “get along” with:
- fragrant acacia;
- willow;
- aralia;
- false sycamore maple;
- forest beech;
- thuja;
- dwarf spruce.
As a rule, landscape compositions with birches and other trees turn out to be quite large-scale, but exceptions are possible
Conclusion
The list of crops that can be planted under a birch tree is quite wide. Moreover, it includes not only “small” flowers, vegetables and mushrooms in comparison with it, but also more “oversized” plants - ornamental and fruit-bearing trees and shrubs. Birch does not create dense shade; the main requirement for crops placed next to it is the ability to survive the birch’s tendency to actively “drain” the soil in a very large area near the trunk.
