Trials And Triumphs Of Gardening Under A Walnut Tree
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). It did not take long before I noticed that a lot of the annual I was planting were dying;petunias, peonies, roses and impatiens would just not grow or bloom. 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. 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). Take a look upward to see if you have a walnut tree and this might explain why your hanging fuschia plants keep dying. Your garden problems might be solved if you are dealing with a walnut tree!
Fear not! There is light at the end of the tunnel for those of you who have a giant walnut tree in your garden. An elegant walnut is actually an asset to your landscape which will provide years of dappled shade. Where could be a nicer place to spend a hot afternoon than underneath a walnut. 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. Good luck and hope that this will help you with any questions about what you can grow around your walnut trees. And you know, if all else fails under your walnut tree then put some cool garden decor, recycled glass gazing ball or perhaps a bird feeder there to provide the area with some extra visual interest!
