What are the best choices for landscaping around the base of a tree? Mulch is ideal for landscaping around the base of a tree in order to keep as much moisture in as possible. When asked about the best choices...
When asked about the best choices for landscaping around the base of a tree, our panel of top experts from Greenview Landscaping including Johanna who has been a landscape designer with the company since 2002, Ben who is a landscape design/build manager, and Tom who serves as the company's maintenance manager, says, "You want to make sure that the tree is mulched. That is going to be very important to hold the moisture into the ground. It's really beneficial to the tree." This also prevents the common trunk damage caused by lawnmowers, preventing the need for getting too close to the base of the tree.
The experts go on to say, "You want to make sure that you aren't planting shrubs or other trees for that matter too close or you might end up digging into the roots." Make sure to research the proper spacing for anything that you are going to plant before doing it, including its estimated full growth, both root wise and top width. Never just go by the size of something just purchased.
Many people add little fences around the mulch, almost making a separate little garden inside. The panel of experts says, "Perennial flowers are a good choice to plant around the bases of most trees." You can also add a few varieties of flowers that need to be re-planted on a yearly basis because they rarely root deep enough to cause any issues. For other types of flowers, an idea would be to plant them in decorative pots first and then place them around the tree.
Another option is to place small lawn ornaments, such as statues, inside the miniature fenced off area. You can do a theme, such as animal families or garden angels. With all of the decorative yard ornaments available, the possibilities are endless. There are "stepping stones" that can be leaned against the base of the tree with a few decorative rocks in front or decorative garden spheres that are obtainable in every color. You could change the decorations to match each season, such as rabbits in the spring, windmills in the summer, scarecrows in the fall and snowmen in the winter. Things of this nature can also be changed out for holidays with objects like miniature flags, pumpkins, Santa Clauses and even heart shaped plaques...all representing the particular celebration that is to come.
The area around your trees can also be utilized for outside theme parties such as children's birthdays, family barbecues and reunions or adult "gag" surprises. For more formal events, lights can even be strung around the base of the tree to highlight flowers, small water fountains or anything that would benefit from added "sparkle".
The best choices for landscaping around a tree really come down to your personal style and taste. As long as the object, or plant, doesn't interfere with the growth of the tree, you are only limited by your imagination.
