Beneath a Large Evergreen
What plants will grow beneath a large evergreen tree? The acid soil makes it hard to grow the usual natives that thrive in shade.
It is not acid soil that causes the problems. The heavy shade and competition for water make it difficult to grow plants under evergreens. Try wild ginger (Asarum canadense). This native will give you a nice green groundcover for the summer. Deadnettle (Lamium maculatum) and variegated yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon 'Variegatum') are two non-natives that tolerate dry shade. Ferns, astilbes, and hostas may tolerate the conditions at the outer edge of the evergreen tree where there is a little more light and fewer roots competing for water. You will need to water new plantings regularly to get them established.
Chris S. Packard
