joshuas-garden.com

A Guide To Planting Under A Walnut Tree

December 30th, 2009 | by |

In a past life I had a garden in a really old neighborhood with many walnut trees also known as Juglans Regia. It did not take long before I noticed that a lot of the annual I was planting were fading;petunias, peonies, roses and impatiens would just not grow or bloom. I was beginning to think perhaps I was not as good a gardener as I thought myself to be.

Low and behold it turns out that walnuts are a garden problem because there are quite a few plants that just can’t live underneath them. A poison called juglone oozes out of the roots of the walnut tree and contaminates the plants below-it is not a good idea to eat anything grown beneath a walnut…this might just be a rumour, though). Look up and see what you got up there to explain what is happening and dying down here. Your garden problems might be solved if you are dealing with a walnut tree!

Fear not! If you have a walnut tree in your landscape do not fear. Walnuts are an asset to any landscape; providing shade and nuts. Where could be a nicer place to spend a hot afternoon than underneath a walnut. They are also an abundant source of walnuts-duh.

Here is a pretty thorough list of plants that I have had success growing under my walnut trees:

Annual plants that can grow under a walnut tree:

Pansie

Begonia

Marigold

Morning Glory

Flower Bulbs:

Winter Aconite

Narcissus

Tulip

Blue Scilla

Snow Drop

Perennial plants that can grow beneath a walnut tree:

Aster

Common Milkweed (A Main stay in my garden!)

Hosta

Many ferns, for example Japanese Painted Fern

Coral Bell

Day Lilly

Pachysandra

Black Eyed Susan

Spider Wort

Dutchman’ Breeches

Violet

Bugle Weed

Jack in the Pulpit

Wild Geranium

Joe-Pye Weed

Creeping Phlox

Sedum

Trillium

Bee Balm

Shrubs that can grow beneath a walnut tree:

Boxwood

Oakleaf Hydrangea

This is perhaps not the longest list and I am positive that many more plants would or could do well; these are just the ones I have tried and had success with in the garden’s I take care of and my own garden. Have fun gardening and planting some plants that will actually live for a change. And you know, if all else fails under your walnut tree then put some outdoor garden decor, a gazing globe or perhaps a bird feeder there to provide the area with some extra visual interest!