How to start underplanting in your garden | Garden Design and Inspiration | Gardening Australia

Underplanting is a great way to bring colour and diversity into your garden by enhancing the trees and shrubs that are already there. Jane takes us through how to create this under-utilised feature. Subscribe 🔔 http://ab.co/GA-subscribe
There’s a key to making it work. There’s got to be enough light and space on the ground level so the plants will actually grow. Jane says the spectacular Strawberry tree (Arbutus x andrachnoides) is perfectly suited to underplanting.

A main feature for underplanting is that the tree has plenty of space between the ground level and where the canopy starts. While this Strawberry tree is impressive on its own, the contrasting colour of the bright green underplantings really accentuates the tree’s magnificent bronze.

Choose plants that have shallow roots and grow well in the shade. Here, ferns and groundcover bamboo (Pleioblastus sp.) grow vigorously in the shade without competing with the tree roots. Beware of any plants that perhaps spread a little too easily, these ones are kept in check by a solid brick wall.

If you’re not sure that you have enough room for underplanting you can create space by raising the canopy. Shrubs that naturally have their branches growing down to ground level can have their lower limbs trimmed when the plants are young.

Jane shows a large Eremophila which has had its lower branches pruned off to allow room. A carpet of dainty native violet (Viola banksii) flourishes in its shade and adds extra interest underneath. This allows a bright planting of strawflowers (Xerochrysum sp.) to have enough sunlight to flower nearby.

In any space, clever combinations like these mean more room for plants while building up colour and texture in your garden.

Featured Plants:
STRAWBERRY TREE – Arbutus x andrachnoides
GROUNDCOVER BAMBOO – Pleioblastus sp.
EREMOPHILA – Eremophila sp.
NATIVE VIOLET – Viola banksii
STRAWFLOWER – Xerochrysum sp.

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