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One of the conditions for proper tree care is the presence of a weed-free, well-dug area of land around the trunk, approximately equal in diameter to the crown. In young specimens, the trunk circle is not too large, but adults require more root space. So that this land does not stand idle, it can be turned into an elegant flower garden. A flowerbed around a tree will allow you to combine business with pleasure: get a good harvest of fruits and admire elegant flowers all season long.
If you follow the rules for combining plants, selecting soil and watering, you can get a very original decoration for your garden plot.
Principles for designing a flower bed around a tree
The first thing you should pay attention to is the condition of the root zone. Thick crowns provide too dense shade in which flowers will not survive. For example, spruce trees love acidic soil and cast a shadow that is almost impenetrable to the sun, so arranging a flower garden under them is pointless. And the lacy translucent shadow from the apple tree is perfect for most flowers.
There are two opinions regarding preparing the soil for a flower bed: some argue that there is no need to dig up the soil so as not to damage the root system, while others say that the soil should be prepared as for a regular flower bed, that is, dug up, but not too deep. Both opinions have a right to exist. To choose the best method, just compare the advantages and disadvantages of each:
- digging up the soil will give oxygen access to the roots, destroy weeds and pest larvae, and help distribute fertilizers evenly;
- When digging, you can damage the roots of the tree, especially small ones, destroy the beneficial microflora of the soil, and open up frost access to the root system.
To create a truly beautiful flower bed around a tree, you should correctly combine the colors of flowers and foliage. Also, in any flower garden, the principle of selecting flowers by height is important: the higher the plant, the farther from the edge it is located.
What to consider when arranging a flower garden around a trunk:
- structure of the root system;
- choosing flowers for the flower garden;
- compatibility of plants in the flowerbed;
- variable flowering times;
- requirements of flowers and trees for soil composition and watering.
The condition of the tree depends on the competent choice of the “neighbor”. The flowerbed will help retain moisture in the root zone and protect against pests and weeds. It is advisable to use only natural materials to create a flower garden around the trunk: bark, pine needles, broken bricks, boards, ceramic tiles, etc.
Choosing a tree for a flower garden
You can arrange beautiful flower beds only around mature trees. Young seedlings require more care (regular watering, fertilizing), so the soil around the trunk should remain empty.The roots can go deep into the ground or spread in the subsurface layer to a depth of half a meter. In the first case, flowers planted in a flowerbed will not interfere with the tree, but in the second, the root systems of plants can prevent each other from developing normally. Trees with deep, taproot or branched root systems include apple, plum, pear, rowan and hawthorn.
You can create a flower garden under a tree with deep roots using shade-loving plants, flowers or ornamental grasses.
The following have a superficial root system:
- cherry;
- peach;
- Walnut;
- horse chestnut, birch, pine, oak.
In the shade of these species, most ornamental plants do not take root. Cherry has a horizontal root system, but with ideal soil composition a vertical tap root is formed, so the arrangement of a flower bed around the trunk depends on the conditions of the area.
How to choose flowers for a flower bed under a tree
Choosing flowers for a flower bed around a tree trunk is a little different from choosing plants for a regular flower garden. The rules for selecting plants by color, budding time, requirements for soil composition and watering remain unchanged, but sun-loving species cannot be selected for a shaded root area.
You can choose contrasting combinations or plant plants with a smooth color transition. A neutral green background will highlight bright colors. A flowerbed in which the color intensity increases from the edges to the middle looks harmonious. Saturated reds and purples don't go well together, but they can be diluted with white or light tones.
Some flowers not only decorate the area around the trunk, they also protect against pests and diseases:
- lily of the valley is able to protect sweet cherries from moniliosis and fruit rot;
- nasturtium, marigolds, and calendula give apple and cherry trees protection from nematodes and aphids.
Also suitable for a shaded flower bed around a tree are bulbous plants, lubelia, cineraria, and ageratum. You can use creeping or ground cover species, begonia, bells, geranium. Pansies, daffodils, crocuses, and daisies successfully coexist with the apple tree.
It is recommended to plant only lily of the valley, lungwort or ferns next to the birch tree. You can also use flowers with early flowering (blues, daffodils, tulips), which will fade by the time the tree is covered with dense foliage. For too dark flower beds under conifers, exotic orchids, heather or similar plants are suitable. The usual garden flowers will not withstand such a neighborhood.
How to make a flowerbed around a tree with your own hands
Start by choosing a tree. Fruit trees with a deep root system are ideal for creating a flower garden. To make a flower bed around an apple, plum or pear tree with your own hands, you need:
- Mark the location of the future flower garden. Remove sod if necessary.
- Arrange a temporary fence from strips of plastic or a special metal strip. This is not necessary, but backfilling with temporary fencing is more convenient.
- Prepare the soil. Remove all weeds, large debris and grass. The earth must remain “bare”.
- Find the roots. Carefully loosen the soil around the trunk with a small spatula. Mark the roots found. You can stick a tall branch with a bright marking nearby (a scrap of fabric, a piece of colored cord).
- Dig up the free areas between the roots to a depth of about 10 cm. Carefully remove the soil from them. Pour fertile soil mixture into the remaining niches. The choice of its type depends on the type of flowers. It's good to shed the soil.
- Plant the selected flowers. Lightly compact the soil around the roots. Once again thoroughly water the finished flowerbed.
- Plots of land left empty are recommended to be mulched (covered) with sawdust, grated bark or pine needles. This will protect the soil from drying out and the appearance of weeds and pests.
Experts recommend covering the prepared area with shavings before planting flowers, but you can do this after.
When preparing the soil, you should not pour soil in the immediate vicinity of the trunk, so as not to create a condition for its rotting. In addition, if a high layer of soil appears around, it may take additional roots.
DIY flower bed ideas under a tree
The simplest option for decorating a flower bed around an apple tree and other garden species in the country is a flower garden without a border (see photo).
It is a little more difficult to arrange a flower bed with a border made of stone, wood or brick. It will take more time and money, but the result will please you for many years. Very original flower beds are obtained by using uneven terrain.
Brick flower bed under a tree
Brick, facing or regular red, along with wild stone, decorative blocks or paving stones are well suited for creating a contour fence for a flower garden.
If a fence made of brick or stone is planned, it is recommended to install a concrete foundation around the perimeter of the future flower bed. It will take the weight of the fence. It is important to leave holes in the foundation monolith for water drainage. The drainage in this case should be at least 30 cm.
High flower bed under a tree
A raised flower bed around a tree trunk can be arranged using boards, border strips, bricks, wild stones and other materials that will fence off the area of the future flower garden and allow the soil layer to be slightly raised. The boards are fastened with a corner or self-tapping screws, the border tape is dug in about a third of the width, the brick and stone are laid out in the form of a closed figure (circle, oval, rectangle, abstract figure).
Before installing the fence, the ground around the trunk is cleared of debris and weeds, the roots are identified, and excess soil is selected. After installing the border, the flowerbed space is drained using broken red brick or expanded clay. A layer of soil mixture suitable for the selected colors is poured on top and moistened well. After some time, if the wet soil has settled, you can add more soil and only then plant seedlings or sow seeds.
Under some trees you can create multi-tiered flower beds. At the same time, it is important to make sure that a free approach to the tree trunk is maintained for maintenance and pruning. A slightly buried area is left directly around the trunk, in which the layer of soil from the beginning of the root collar does not exceed 10 cm. Another condition is the presence of a good drainage system so that the tree trunk does not rot.
Original flower bed under a tree
Flower beds in a rustic style with wildflowers, spicy herbs, decorative sunflowers, fenced with wattle fence look original. The most unusual items are used for decoration: an old bicycle, a milk can, garden tools, a children's pot, etc.
Photos of original flower beds under the trees:
Two in one: a flowerbed and a cozy place to relax with an elegant bench. The flower garden is decorated with funny figures; next to the bench there is a tall flowerpot with flowers.
Using an old gardening tool to decorate a flowerbed. The rusty wheelbarrow simultaneously serves as decoration and forms the second tier of the flower bed.
Conclusion
A flower bed around a tree in a country house or garden is the optimal combination of benefit and beauty. The shaded area under the tree crown does not stand idle without use and does not spoil the appearance. Planted flowers retain moisture and protect the tree from pests and diseases. Creating a flower bed in the root zone is quite simple if you correctly combine the tree species and plant varieties, take into account the characteristics of the soil and the care requirements of the plants.
