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One of the conditions for proper tree care is the presence of a weed-free, well-dug area around the trunk, approximately equal in diameter to the crown. In young specimens, the near-stem 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 flower bed around a tree will allow you to combine business with pleasure: get a good harvest of fruits, and admire elegant flowers all season.
If you follow the rules for combining plants, selecting soil and watering, you can get a very original decoration for your backyard.
The principles of designing a flower bed around a tree
The first thing you should pay attention to is the condition of the root zone. Dense crowns give too dense a shadow in which the flowers will not survive. For example, spruces love acidic soil and cast a shadow that is almost impenetrable to the sun, so arranging a flower garden under them is meaningless. A lacy translucent shadow from an apple tree is perfect for most flowers.
There are two opinions about preparing the soil for a flower bed: some argue that it is not necessary to dig the soil so as not to damage the root system, while others say that the soil needs to be prepared as for a regular flower bed, that is, dig, but not too deep. Both opinions have a right to exist. To choose the best method, it is enough to compare the advantages and disadvantages of each:
- digging the earth will give access to oxygen to the roots, destroy weeds, pest larvae, and help evenly distribute fertilizers;
- when digging, you can damage the roots of a tree, especially small ones, destroy the beneficial microflora of the soil, open access to frost to the root system.
To design a really beautiful flower bed around a tree, you should correctly combine the color 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 the trunk:
- structure of the root system;
- choice of flowers for the flower garden;
- compatibility of plants in the flower bed;
- changing timing of flowering;
- requirements of flowers and trees for soil composition and watering.
The state of the tree depends on the competent choice of the “neighbor”. The flower bed will help retain moisture in the root zone, protect against pests and weeds. It is advisable to use only natural materials to create a flower garden around the trunk: bark, 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, top dressing), so the ground around the trunk should be left empty. The roots can go deep into the ground or spread in the subsurface layer at a depth of up to half a meter. In the first case, the flowers planted in the flower bed will not interfere with the tree, but in the second case, the root systems of plants can prevent each other from developing normally. Trees with a deep, taproot or branched root system include apple, plum, pear, mountain ash, and hawthorn.
You can make a flower garden under a tree with deep roots using shade-loving plants, flowers or ornamental grasses.
Superficial root system have:
- 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 an 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 flowers, budding time, requirements for soil composition and watering remain unchanged, but sun-loving species cannot be chosen for a shaded root area.
You can choose contrasting combinations or plant plants with a smooth color transition. Neutral green background will accentuate bright colors. A flower bed looks harmonious, in which the color intensity increases from the edges to the middle. Saturated reds and purples do not 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 cherries and cherries from moniliosis and fruit rot;
- nasturtium, marigolds, calendula give apple and cherry trees protection from nematodes and aphids.
Bulbous, lubelia, cineraria, ageratum are also suitable for a shaded flower bed around a tree. You can use creeping or ground cover species, begonias, bluebells, geraniums. Pansies, daffodils, crocuses, daisies successfully coexist with an apple tree.
Next to the birch, it is recommended to plant only lily of the valley, lungwort or ferns. You can also use flowers with early flowering (scillas, daffodils, tulips), which will fade by the time the tree is covered with dense foliage. For too dark beds under conifers, exotic orchids, heather or similar plants are suitable. Habitual garden flowers will not survive such a neighborhood.
How to make a flower bed 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 tree, plum or pear with your own hands, you need:
- Mark the place of the future flower garden. Remove sod if necessary.
- Arrange a temporary fence made of 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 roots. Carefully loosen the soil around the trunk with a small spatula. Mark the found roots. You can stick a tall branch nearby with bright markings (a piece of fabric, a piece of colored cord).
- Dig up free areas between the roots to a depth of about 10 cm. Carefully select soil from them. Fill the remaining niches with a fertile earthen mixture. The choice of its type depends on the variety of flowers. It’s good to shed the ground.
- Plant selected flowers. Lightly compact the soil around the roots. Thoroughly water the finished flower bed again.
- Plots of land that remain empty are recommended to be mulched (covered) with sawdust, grated bark or needles. This will protect the soil from drying out, the appearance of weeds and pests.
Experts recommend filling the prepared area with shavings before planting flowers, but you can do it after.
When preparing the soil, do not pour the earth in the immediate vicinity of the trunk, so as not to create a condition for its decay. In addition, if a high layer of soil appears around, it can take on additional roots.
Ideas for flower beds under a tree with your own hands
The easiest way to design 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 stone, wood or brick border. It will take more time and money, but the result will please 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 to create a flower garden contour fence.
If a fence made of brick or stone is supposed, it is recommended to arrange a concrete foundation around the perimeter of the future flower bed. He will take the weight of the fence. It is important to leave holes in the foundation monolith for water drainage. 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, curb tape, bricks, wild stone and other materials that will fence off the area of uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthe future flower garden and allow you to slightly raise the soil layer. The boards are fastened with a corner or self-tapping screws, the curb tape is dug in by about a third of the width, brick and stone are laid out in the form of a closed figure (circle, oval, rectangle, abstract figure).
Before starting the installation of the fence, the ground around the trunk is cleared of debris and weeds, the roots are marked, and excess soil is selected. After installing the curb, the space of the flower bed is drained with broken red brick or expanded clay. A layer of soil mixture is poured on top, a suitable proportion of the selected colors are moistened well. After some time, if the wet earth has settled, you can add 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 for maintenance and pruning is maintained. A slightly deepened area is left directly around the trunk, on which the soil layer 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 flowerbed under a tree
Rustic-style flower beds look original with wild flowers, spicy greens, decorative sunflowers, fenced with wattle. For decorations, the most unusual items are used: an old bicycle, a milk can, a garden tool, a children’s pot, etc.
Photos of the original flower beds under the trees:
Two in one: a flower bed and a cozy place to relax with an elegant bench. The flower garden is decorated with funny figurines, next to the bench there is a tall flowerpot with flowers.
Using an old garden tool as a flower bed decoration. The rusty wheelbarrow simultaneously serves as a decoration and forms the second tier of the flower garden.
Conclusion
A flower bed around a tree in a country house or garden plot is the best combination of utility and beauty. The shaded area under the crown of the tree does not stand idle, does not spoil the appearance. Planted flowers retain moisture, 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 requirements of plants for care.
