Cedar trees are a favorite landscaping tree for many people all over the world. Because of how they are built and how their roots are set up, it can be hard to find the right plant to grow under them.
Putting plants under any tree is a common way to make it part of the landscape and fill up empty space. You can also create an interesting layering effect by adding a mix of ground cover and shrubs.
However, there are some important considerations when choosing these plants, especially for cedars. If the wrong plants are near trees, they could hurt them or not do well if they have to compete with the tree’s roots for water and food. Read on to learn more about cedar trees and which plants do well underneath them.
With its dense, evergreen foliage and naturally conical shape the eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) makes an excellent standalone specimen tree. However it also pairs beautifully with certain companion plants. The right plant partners can complement its handsome attributes while filling its bare understory.
Choosing compatible companions is key when landscaping around eastern red cedar trees. Here are 15 perfect plant pairings:
Groundcovers
Groundcovers thrive under the shade and dry conditions beneath red cedars They cover bare ground while preventing soil erosion Good choices include
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Creeping phlox – Native perennial with carpets of pretty spring blooms. Does well in dry shade.
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Wild ginger – Glossy, heart-shaped foliage spreads to form lush green mats. Subtle spring flowers.
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Creeping sedum – Low-growing succulent forms dense evergreen mats. Tolerates poor soils.
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Vinca minor – Trailing stems of glossy green leaves. Masses of blue flowers in spring.
Ferns
Delicate-looking yet sturdy, ferns are ideal for the filtered light under red cedars. They remain attractive all season with their lacy fronds. Choose:
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Christmas fern – Glossy, evergreen fronds maintain their rich color in winter. Native plant.
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Autumn fern – Bronzy new fronds unfurl in spring, maturing to deep green in summer. Thrives in dry shade.
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Japanese painted fern – Vibrant red stems contrast beautifully with silver and green fronds. Easy care.
Ornamental Grasses
Grasses add fluid movement and soft texture contrast to the stiff conifers. Excellent choices include:
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Hakone grass – Cascading blades emerge bright green, turning gold in fall. Graceful form.
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Pennsylvania sedge – Fine-textured, grassy groundcover. Yellow-green color. Native, slow spreader.
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Little bluestem – Upright clumps of slender bluish-green leaves turn red-orange in fall. Showy native grass.
Spring Ephemerals
These woodland plants take advantage of early spring light levels before red cedars leaf out. They go dormant by summer. Spring ephemerals like:
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Wild geranium – Magenta blooms above deeply cut foliage. Foliage has nice fall color.
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Foamflower – Delicate sprays of tiny white blooms. Spreads by rhizomes to form lush groundcover.
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Virginia bluebells – Dainty lavender-blue bells nod gracefully on slender stems. Lovely woodland native.
Summer Perennials
The dappled shade beneath red cedars allows many perennials to thrive once spring ephemerals fade. Some beauties for summer include:
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Astilbe – Feathery plumes bloom in white, pink, red, or purple above fern-like leaves. Prefers shade and moisture.
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Coral bells – Elegant, often variegated foliage. Airy stalks bear bell-like blooms. Easy care, adaptable.
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Hostas – Reliable performers with wide variety of leaf shapes, colors, and sizes. Mild fragrant summer blooms.
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Hellebores – Early bloomers with gorgeous, nodding flowers in whites, pinks, purples, and greens. Deer resistant.
Shrubs
Plant medium to large shrubs as an intermediate layer between red cedars and smaller plants. Select those that thrive in dappled shade, such as:
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Oakleaf hydrangea – Dramatic, deeply lobed leaves turn fiery shades in fall. Lacecap flowers in white or pink.
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Fothergilla – Fragrant spring blooms, brilliant fall color, and lovely winter bark. Does well in dry shade.
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Spirea – Elegant shrubs with dense flowers in whites, pinks, and reds. Many varieties available. Deer resistant.
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Viburnum – Has it all – flowers, berries for birds, fall color. Many native species available. Thrives in shade.
Small Trees
Underplant red cedars with small understory trees like:
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Redbud – Profuse pink blooms in early spring. Heart-shaped leaves turn golden in fall.
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Dogwood – Showy spring flowers, red fruit for birds, and excellent fall color. Does well in dry, acidic soil.
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Serviceberry – Delicate white spring flowers, edible summer berries, and reliable fall color. Tolerates partial shade.
The eastern red cedar’s versatile growing habits allow it to blend seamlessly into diverse plant combinations. Making smart plant choices results in a beautiful multi-layered landscape that brings out the best qualities of this handsome native conifer.
A Few Facts About Cedar Trees
Cedar trees belong to the Pinaceae family. They’re native to the Himalayas and the countries that border the Mediterranean Sea.
These evergreen trees are incredibly resilient. They don’t need a lot of water and thrive in slightly acidic soil with no fertilizer. The only maintenance they require is the occasional mulching and some light pruning. You’ll also have to water regularly when you first plant a cedar tree, but adult trees only need rainwater.
Cedars need plenty of sun. They grow rapidly and do well in Zones 7 through 9A, but it’s a very versatile tree that can adapt to different conditions.
Cedar-apple rust is one of the diseases you should watch out for. It is a type of fungal disease that affects both cedar and apple trees. Port-oxford-cedar root disease is a condition that can spread through soil movement.
Should You Plant Under Your Cedar Tree?
Plants that grow under your cedar tree can help break up the soil and let the tree’s roots take in more oxygen and nutrients. They can also make your yard look better.
Another benefit is that plants will soak up extra water, which will make the cedar’s environment perfect, especially if you live in a place where it rains a lot. If water builds up around the base of a tree, it can make the soil too hard, which makes it hard for the roots to grow.
Some plants do well under cedars and others don’t. Cedars thrive in soil that is slightly acidic, but they can grow in soil with a pH of anywhere from 5.5 to 7.2, so don’t assume your garden soil is necessarily acidic if you have a cedar tree. It’s best to test the soil before selecting plants that will go underneath the tree, to figure out whether you should select species that do well in acidic soil or not.
Shade can be a challenge. Cedars are evergreens with dense foliage. Cedars can provide similar challenges to growing under other shade trees like oaks. Depending on the type of cedar, they can cast a lot of shade, which can make it hard to plant things under them.
The dripline can be another issue. Because there is so much foliage, water will drip where it stops, making a spot that could become so wet that it’s impossible to dry out.
Different types of cedar trees have different root systems, but many of them have shallow, fibrous roots. To make sure the tree can still get the water and nutrients it needs from the soil, don’t put too many plants around it.
Low Maintenance Evergreen Shrubs to Grow Around Your Home!
FAQ
What grows well with red cedar?
What plants can grow under cedar trees?
What are the issues with eastern red cedar?
Does eastern red cedar like sun or shade?
Can you grow plants under eastern red cedar?
There are several native plants that can be grown underneath Eastern Red Cedar (assuming it is pruned high enough). Each of these likes well-drained acidic soil, and will do well in the shade. Obtaining seed or plants for some of these could be challenging though.
Is eastern red cedar a good tree?
The root system of Eastern Red Cedar is a shallow, spreading root. The roots of Eastern Red Cedar are non-damaging making it ok to use as a street tree or planting near foundations, sidewalks, and driveways. Eastern Red Cedar trees can live for up to 900 years. So, depending on where it grows, it could outlast almost any other tree.
What is a silver eastern red cedar tree?
Silver Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana ‘Glauca’) — The ‘Glauca’ red cedar cultivar is a tall, skinny evergreen tree with a narrow columnar shape. This robust cultivar tolerates drought, heat, and freezing conditions. Plant the silver eastern red cedar as a tall, narrow accent specimen tree.
What plants can grow under a cedar tree?
As previously mentioned, the best plants to grow under cedar trees will be those that prefer acidic soils, partial to full shade, and dry conditions. Many native woodland plants fit this description and have the added benefit of requiring very little care, as they have fully adapted to local growing conditions and thus thrive on their own.