What is the best plant for around a maple tree?

Question

I want to plant some flowers around a big maple tree I have which has a lot of shade. I live in the northeast so I would need something that could survive the cold and come back every year. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

I have a big tree in the front yard that I surrounded with different types of hostas, and mulched around them. You can get them in all shades of green leaves, some of which have yellow or white markings on them, some with different textures, and small or large--I've seen them over 3 feet across, but those should have been divided (split in half) long before that. I have about 15 of them in a 2 foot ring around a large maple. Mine have been growing for about three years, and the largest ones are about 1 foot high and 1 1/2 feet across. You need to be careful, just like any other plant, and make sure you don't damage the roots of the tree when you plant them.

One nice thing about hostas is you can have a black thumb and they'll still grow. Last year I divided a plant (literally--you cut the root system with a knife and plant the halves), and accidentally cut a leaf off with no root. I stuck it in the ground anyway, just in case, and it still grew!

Answer 2

Unfortunately, maples have extremely dense roots. Not much will survive under a maple. Your best bet is to mulch it.