A garden under the tree

Do you have a huge tree in your garden? Are you thinking of brightening up the space?
Easier said than done! For, most trees have shallow roots (less than a foot deep) that spread out wide, even beyond the canopy drip-line. So, raising a little garden under the tree without harming it is no child’s play.

The basics

The preliminary step is to choose the right kind of plants — ones that don’t dominate the tree and are shade-tolerant. Check whether the shade is dense or sparse and select species accordingly. Ground cover plants are often recommended. You can plant vines by erecting short trellises around the perimeter of your little ‘under-tree’ garden and trimming the creepers periodically, when they outgrow their lakshman-rekha. You can also opt for small evergreen shrubs for growing in containers. Spring-flowering bulbs are ideal
as they grow and flower before the tree’s leaves sprout and proliferate in spring.

Avoid tall beauties. They shouldn’t shoot up through the tree’s lowest branches.
Periwinkle, aster, violets and ferns are common choices. Perennials are preferable to annuals since the latter require replanting every year, thereby heightening the risk of harming the tree roots.

The tallest plants should occupy a place closest to the trunk. The next circle should contain plants a bit shorter than them and so on in descending order until you reach the periphery with the shortest ones.

Obviously, plants requiring total sunlight are a no-no. Also, be prepared for watering your under-tree plants often, since the tree-canopy doesn’t allow much rainwater to filter through it. Selective pruning to create a sparser canopy is a feasible option,
however.

Now, it’s time to commence planting. First, demarcate the circle within which you wish to plant the garden. Growing merely turf beneath a tree isn’t a good idea, for mowing may damage the tree roots. In fact, your first task should be to uproot any grass growing under it. Otherwise, the grass will only rot under the soil you spread over it and prevent root establishment of the newly-planted saplings. Spread mulch over exposed tree roots to conceal them from view. Mulching between the plants minimises water loss besides controlling weed growth. Trim the lower branches not only to facilitate planting, but also to invite more sunlight into the area.

Things to keep in mind
Plus, it’s wise to avoid a raised bed for your flowering debutantes as the big tree’s roots need adequate water and oxygen. Simply put, they need to breathe and the abundant soil-spread will choke them. Start digging holes carefully in the ground around the trunk. If you strike at a root, stop immediately and start at another safer spot. Don’t panic if you damage smaller roots; they’ll grow back. Work your way from spots nearest the trunk to farther outside, but nearer to the canopy drip-line.

Expect taller and broader growth of your new plants and space them adequately apart. Fill the bare ground in between with mulch. Apply composted organic matter in the holes and start placing the plants/bulbs/seeds into them, firming up their roots with soil. Water them. As your plants grow, pick up the shed leaves. You could also leave a few behind to serve as compost.

For a prettier scenario, create a border around your little ‘under-tree’ garden by lining up bricks, paving stones or other landscaping rocks depending on whether you want them to coordinate or contrast with the colour of the flowers you intend to grow. Again, beware of digging deep trenches to hold them in place, for this might harm the tree’s roots.