• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
What-to-Grow-Beneath-Oak-Trees-in-California-Garden.jpg

What to Grow Beneath Oak Trees in California Garden

I live in Forestville, CA.  Can you recommend shrubs and flowers that will grow under the shade of our large oak trees? I don’t want to plant anything that will interfere with the trees’ roots.

Lack of light and lack of moisture are key limitations facing any plants growing under large trees.  Look for plants that tolerate dry shade and are hardy to your location.  Avoid excess digging and watering under the tree canopy.  These practices can damage the lovely oak tree you are trying to enhance. In western gardens consider planting shrubs such as Manzanita, Darwin barberry, rockrose, bush anemone, Grevillea, wild lilac (Ceanothus), silk tassel, Mahonia, Myrica, oleander, plumbago, currant, and germander.  Groundcovers such as rosemary, wild strawberry, Correa, and cotoneaster will tolerate these conditions.  Bergenia, California wood fern, Santa Barbara daisy, daylily, coral bells, evening primrose, sedum, thyme and California fuchsia are a few perennials worth trying.  Plant the more sun loving plants near the drip line and shade tolerant plants under the canopy to provide the preferred amount of light.

Related

Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars


March 27, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

How to Start a Garden for Beginners
Register now

April 3, 2024
Garden Trends 

Franklin Public Library, Franklin, WI

April 10, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

Container Gardening Throughout the Year
Register now

April 11, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

7 Steps to Managing Water Where it Falls in Your Yard
Register now

April 17, 2024
Landscaping for Birds: 
A Gardener’s Perspective

Glendale, WI 

April 18, 2024
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Golden Rondelle Theater, Racine, WI
Register now

April 20, 2024
Pruning Hydrangeas and Other Shrubs 
Pasquesi Home & Gardens, Lake Bluff, IL

April 27, 2024
Ridges & Rivers Book Festival
Viroqua, WI

April 28, 2024
Flowering Trees and Shrubs
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI

May 1, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

Ornamental Fruits and Vegetables
Register now

May 9, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

How to Plant Your Rain Garden
Register now

WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Enter to Win The Birds & Blooms' Ultimate Gardening Guide !

ENTER NOW