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Thursday, September 8, 2016

FLOWERS UNDER TREES, INSPIRATION THURSDAY

Every Thursday, we like to post a picture of something we've found online that inspires us to do something similar at the farm.  
Sort of our own blog bulletin board so that we can eventually look back and, hopefully anyway, recreate it...enjoy!

Flowers around tree, photo from Southernliving.com
With the thinking of fruit trees in raised beds the other day (I answered comments and gave some updated info on the raised bed idea) we were thinking we could put some flowers in the raised beds around the trees.  

But of course we also have lots of other trees around the property (and an area I'm slowly clearing) and so there will be many chances for under tree plantings.  We had another Inspiration post about  using "hostas" as underplantings...we love the thought of *shade loving* flowers too.  

Be inspired!

15 comments:

  1. Those are really pretty! I vote for impatiens and begonias. They both do well in the shade and are really pretty.

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    1. Thank you for the info! We're learning, slowly but surely!

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  2. That is so pretty.
    I like the idea of planting hostas along with other shade loving plants like Anne suggested impatiens and begonias just to five some color along with other textures.
    Another thought about around a mature tree being you have many, is a tree circle bench. Many ideas and styles to choose from.
    https://www.google.com/search?q=tree+benches&biw=1536&bih=787&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwiBgIuYg4DPAhVCez4KHa6yBggQsAQIYg

    Simple tree plan bench plans. https://kaboom.org/resources/enhancement_projects/how_build_tree_bench?gclid=CLGYqsyDgM8CFUYvgQodKGEJpw

    One from WalMart you can order. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Wooden-Tree-Hugger-Bench/4200656

    Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Coral-Coast-Fillmore-Outdoor-Hexagonal/dp/B004MZTUJ6

    Step by Step instructions on This Old House - https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-build-tree-bench

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    1. OOH! Tree circle benches are COOL! Thanks for these links!!!!

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  3. Those are beautiful indeed. I love impatiens, as long as kept in shade and fairly mosit they are so indestructible as annuals. We've also doen Snow-on-the-mountain under trees. They are perennials with great color variation but no flowers.

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    1. Thanks for the tips, will look into the snow-on-the-mountain, see if it grows here. We have moisture for sure in our rainy seasons, ha.

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  4. I love the shades of pink. What are those flowers?

    However, don't put flowers or beds under fruit trees. It will be more difficult to access fruit. You need to see all the fruit that falls. Plus, you don't want to have to be careful about flowers. If fruit falls in the bed of anything, you may not see it. Plus, you are begging for stingers to make nests in the ground.

    Flowers or Hosta would take away from nutrients from trees, I think. Plus, trees need water to produce fruit. Sooo, might flowers take away from fruit? Would anyone dig the ground? That is not good around trees because there are little fine roots that are near the surface that can be damaged. Would you fertilize the trees or flowers?

    It is a lovely idea, but I would save the flowers for a tree that is not expected to bear fruit.

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    1. Thanks for this, You are wise, I didn't think about that. Better to just mulch. And the raised beds will have more roots near the surface. Thanks again!!

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  5. Wow that is such a pretty look,an awesome idea for when you live there and can potter about tending to such beautiful spots.
    I do know that citrus hate having anything grow under them,so probably not a good idea for fruit trees, but flowers do look very pretty under trees if you get the right ones .Some self seeding annuals would be great as they would thicken up and prevent weeds.
    If you have a lemon tree near the house for convenience and wanted the pretty look, you could lay thick mulch and put some flower pots in the mulch to be self contained.

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    1. More great advice! Thanks!!! That's why we love posting these things, all of y'all give such great advice. And flower pots are a great counter solution. thanks!!

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  6. hellebores?
    http://www.finegardening.com/hellebores-cure-late-winter-blues

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    1. Wow, how beautiful are those? Thanks SO much for the link, will do some research on that. Thank you!!!!!!

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  7. YES - this one has been on my radar for a while and is a "must-do" :)

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    1. Oops - hit the enter key too quickly....I agree with the cautions about the fruit trees in terms of nutrition, water conservation (fruit trees need lots of water and you don't want them competing for it with other plants) and harvesting. Mulch is the best choice when it comes to what should go under fruit trees. Having said that, this is a GREAT idea for ornamental trees and I'm really hoping I get to try it out within the next couple of years.

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    2. Isn't it pretty? So peaceful too! Great tips again, thanks very much. I was thinking mulch is best, so mulch it will be. Thanks and yep, we'll be doing this soon too. Have a great weekend!

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