Pretty Garden Tips

A few years ago I lived in an old victorian house in Ann Arbor, Michigan that had a handful of stately old 100 foot tall Walnut trees (Juglans Regia). I quickly discovered that there were a number of plants that simply died or started to die as soon as I planted them there; petunias, peonies, roses, impatiens are some of the unfortunate few plants that died. I was beginning to think perhaps I was not as good a gardener as I thought myself to be.

After asking around a bit I discovered that walnut trees are considered a gardening challenge because there are a number of plants that simply can not survive under them. This is due to a poisonous substance that leaches from the walnut trees called juglone-I sure would not be eating any veggies or herbs grown near or under a walnut tree( I heard somewhere that it was an ingredient in rat poison many years ago…not sure if that is true or just some kind of urban legend). Take a look upward to see if you have a walnut tree and this might explain why your hanging fuschia plants keep dying. Now that you know you have a walnut tree you can get on with gardening underneath it!

Do not fret! If you have a walnut tree in your landscape do not fear. Walnuts are an asset to any landscape; providing shade and nuts. Where could be a nicer place to spend a hot afternoon than underneath a walnut. Not to mention all the wonderful walnuts you can collect for whatever you use them for.

Here is a pretty thorough list of plants that I have had success growing under my walnut trees:

Annual plants that can grow under a walnut tree:

Pansie

Begonia

Marigold

Morning Glory

Flower Bulbs:

Winter Aconite

Narcissus

Tulip

Blue Scilla

Snow Drop

Perennial plants that can grow beneath a walnut tree:

Aster

Common Milkweed (A Main stay in my garden!)

Hosta

Many ferns, for example Japanese Painted Fern

Coral Bell

Day Lilly

Pachysandra

Black Eyed Susan

Spider Wort

Dutchman’ Breeches

Violet

Bugle Weed

Jack in the Pulpit

Wild Geranium

Joe-Pye Weed

Creeping Phlox

Sedum

Trillium

Bee Balm

Shrubs that can grow beneath a walnut tree:

Boxwood

Oakleaf Hydrangea

This is perhaps not the longest list and I am positive that many more plants would or could do well; these are just the ones I have tried and had success with in the garden’s I take care of and my own garden. Hopefully you will have good results under your walnut tree after reading this article. And you know, if all else fails under your walnut tree then put some [outdoor garden decor|cool garden decor], [recycled glass gazing ball|a gazing globe] or perhaps a [recycled glass bird feeder| bird feeder] there to provide the area with some extra visual interest!

 

Tags: annuals, begonias, cool garden things, garden problems, juglone, marigolds, pachysandra, pansies, perennials, plants, walnut tree

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