Cover Bare Tree Roots While Showing Off These Popular Garden Stunners

Have you ever noticed how tree roots in your yard often peek through the soil, giving the area around them a bit of a wild, unfinished look? Whether it's from erosion or the simple fact that trees like to spread out, exposed roots can throw off the look of your landscaping. But instead of fighting nature, why not work with it and create something unique and beautiful? Covering bare tree roots with flowers not only helps to protect the roots from being damaged by your lawn mower, but it also transforms those tricky spaces into a beautiful focal point of your garden.

Spring bulbs, in particular, are a great option in these areas. Popular choices like daffodils (Narcissus), crocuses (Crocus), tulips (genus Tulipa), hyacinths (genus Hyacinthus), and pansies (Viola ×wittrockiana) can be planted under deciduous trees. They bloom in early spring, often before the tree's leaves have fully appeared, which means they get the sunshine they need without competing for light. Once the leaves do come in, the flowers will have fully bloomed and won't mind the lack of sunlight. What makes bulbs even more garden-friendly around trees is their size. Because they're small, they're easier to plant around the roots without disturbing them. However, it's important you avoid planting certain flowers around tree roots, such as hydrangeas or azaleas, which can compete with tree roots for nutrients. Plus, who doesn't love the low-maintenance beauty of daffodils? These little garden stunners multiply over time, giving you a bigger and better show each year. You will soon forget the tree roots were even an issue.

Once your spring bulbs have had their time to shine, more hardy, ground cover plants that thrive around tree roots are a great option to fill in the gaps during the summer. A great non-invasive perennial to consider is the ballerina lilac (Armeria pseudarmeria). It's perfect for planting under trees because it can handle partial shade while producing clusters of pretty, purple flowers throughout the growing season. The best part about the ballerina lilac is that it can grow in just about any type of soil, making it a common choice for rocky or sandy areas. This also makes it a great option for planting around trees, where the root systems often hoard the available water and nutrients. 

Another groundcover option to cover tree roots is mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus). While not as flashy, its dark, grassy blades form a dense carpet of green that thrives in partial shade. This is great for camouflaging the appearance of roots while keeping the soil covered and cool. Both ballerina lilac and mondo grass are perennials, meaning they'll return year after year. This is a huge advantage when dealing with tree roots since it helps you avoid frequent digging and replanting, which could cause damage.