Posts Tagged ‘pansies’
Walnut Tree? You Might Have Some Garden Problems
A few years ago I lived in an old victorian house in Ann Arbor, Michigan that had a handful of stately old 100 foot tall Walnut trees (Juglans Regia). I quickly discovered that there were a number of plants that simply died or started to die as soon as I planted them there; petunias, peonies, roses, impatiens are some of the unfortunate few plants that died. Doubts about my garden competence began to worry me at night.
What a relief it was to discover that walnut tree’s are a garden challenge because certain plants can not survive when planted below one. This is due to a poisonous substance that leaches from the walnut trees called juglone-I sure would not be eating any veggies or herbs grown near or under a walnut tree( I heard somewhere that it was an ingredient in rat poison many years ago…not sure if that is true or just some kind of urban legend). 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!
Do not start crying! If you have a walnut tree in your garden do not fret. They are a lovely addition to any garden and provide wonderful shade. Never mind the old wives tale to beware the shade of a walnut, because I myself can not think of a nicer place to spend a hot summer afternoon. Walnut trees are of course also great because of all the nuts they provide.
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. This should be a helpful guide to you in your garden adventures under your walnut tree. And you know, if all else fails under your walnut tree then put some outdoor garden decor, a gazing globe or perhaps a recycled glass bird feeder there to provide the area with some extra visual interest!
