Planting Groundcovers Under Pines

Plants do fine under pine trees if you make the right selection and remember to water them.

Vinca major
Item # 98250 		Vinca major
Big Leaf Periwinkle

each $4.99
3 or more $4.79
Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegatum’
Item # 10910 		Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegatum’
Variegated Bishop’s Weed

each $4.99
3 to 6 $4.79
7 or more $4.59
  • Topic: Plant Selection
  • Author: Cindy Bellinger
  • Keywords: pine, groundcover, alkalinity, pine needles, Site Solutions
  • Date: April 2003

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If you’ve opted to live in the mountains where ponderosa or pinon trees abound, or even if you’ve planted pines in your yard, the big question soon becomes what to plant under those pines. Usually the space under them is barren. But the reason why isn’t what most people think.

“Contrary to the rumor, pine needles don’t poison the soil,” said David Salman, president of Santa Fe Greenhouses. “Actually, they’re helpful in bringing down the alkalinity in our clay soils, but that’s only some. The main problem under pines is lack of moisture.”

He says the tree canopy sheds the rain and snow, which restricts the water from getting under the trees. His suggestion is to cut the lower limbs and trim the canopy so more light and moisture can get closer to the truck area.

My own yard (read: heavy clay areas where I haven’t replaced the soil) has several barren spots itself. I have some lovely ponderosas but the ground under them looks a little sad. And this year, instead of whining about it as I usually do, I’ve decided to do something about it.

All on its own a few years ago some Vinca showed up under some ponderosas at my neighbor’s house. It gave us both hope. We eagerly transplanted some of it to other areas, but I had a hunch there were other plants just as viable for our miserable soil. So I tramped around here and tracked down some good information.

Dave Abernathy, our perennial manager, says there are plenty of groundcovers that work well under pines. He recommends the following:

  • Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegatum’ is a variegated Bishop’s Weed and a vigorous grower in dry shady areas. It’s indifferent to soil type so a good choice for clay. Our High Country Gardens catalog explains it this way: “Sometimes toward the end of hot, dry summers, the foliage will look tired and bedraggled. Just run the lawnmower over it and water it deeply to encourage new growth.” Zones 3-9.
  • Symphytum grandiflorum ‘Hidcote Blue’ (Blue Flowered Ornamental Comfrey) is an early spring flowering perennial with numerous clear blue nodding flowers. Not picky about soils it forms a weed resistant carpet of deep green foliage. Zones 4-9.
  • Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’ and ‘Red Nancy’ is sturdy and fast growing for shade and semi-shady spots. It tolerates a wide range of soils and moisture levels. The white-edged leaves light up dark garden corners. Zones 3-8
  • Vinca major (Big Leaf Periwinkle) is best for most inhospitable of spots. It’s a large leafed evergreen and grows equally well in full sun or deep shade. It will overrun other flowers, however, so plant in a spot by itself. Zones 4-9.
  • Hedra helix ‘English Ivy’ and ‘Thorndale Ivy’ are both hardy species of this groundcover that usually isn’t seen in the Southwest, but does fine and is evergreen. Careful, though. The English variety has a tendency to climb and loves to take over trees, even other vines. On the other hand, for an added touch it can be trained to climb walls. Keep out of afternoon sun. All zones.

Dealing with clay soil under pine trees can be tricky. It’s usually packed tightly (miserably so) so loosening it down about least a foot is the first chore. While you’re doing that, you can amend it generously with compost. Eveb if you’re using plants that are “indifferent to soil types” amending the clay will give the new plants a head start. Also, water frequently to establish the roots.