What will grow under tall hemlocks ?

16 years ago

My hemlocks have gotten leggy at the bottom and need something green growing under them. I don't care if it's a flowering shrub or not. I'd be happy with just green folage.

Thanks for the help in advance

Nancy

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Comments (6)

quirkyquercus
16 years ago
It could be challenging because it sounds like it is probably very deep shade but Catawba Rhododendron comes to mind. It's sort of tropical looking so it may not fit into every garden but is normally found in the Hemlock's native habitat.
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pineresin
16 years ago
Does it need to be tall? If ground cover will do, try Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny Pachysandra), that will tolerate deep shade

Resin
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Embothrium
16 years ago
Bareness under hemlocks is typical, they are prone to internal decay and deflect precipitation away from their bases with their foliage. If there are similar plantings on similar sites nearby look at those to see what, if anything is succeeding beneath the trees. Note in particular how large and old the hemlocks elsewhere are, with conifers generally the taller and more elevated they are the more potential their is for other kinds of plants to sneak in around them.
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heptacodium
16 years ago
Rhoddies or azalea. Last time I checked, there were a couple to choose from.

Jap maple. I think there are choices.

Enkianthus, yews, cherry laurel, and maybe a couple of camellia cultivars, but you'd have to check at your local nursery.
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wisconsitom
16 years ago
In natural stands of mature hemlocks I've seen, the "groundcover" typically consists of hemlock needles. Isn't there some allelopathy involved here as well? Doesn't mean nothing will grow there, but may further limit choices.

+oM
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waplummer
16 years ago
How tall is tall?

Limb them up. Mine ate only 10-12 feet tall and I've pruned out anything below 5-6 feet. White pines are self-pruning and my hundred footers go up 20 feet or more. I have Pachysandra procumbens, Bloodroot, Mayapple, various ferns and other native wildflowers, Rhodies, and sweet woodruff, allthough I keep pulling it out.

In a dense hemlock, beech or pine forest you won't find much growing, but that's an extreme situation.
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What will grow under tall hemlocks ?

Comments (6)

quirkyquercus

pineresin

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heptacodium

wisconsitom

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