I've seen several pictures from Houzz and I think I like a relatively informal formal designs. Or relatively formal informal designs. Hope I'm making any sense. These are pictures I like and dislike, for example. LIKE the following pictures: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/garden-design-traditional-landscape-chicago-phvw-vp~988515) [Traditional Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2107) by Chicago Landscape Architect Denise Dering Design [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/north-arlington-residence-traditional-landscape-dc-metro-phvw-vp~1325555) [Traditional Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2107) by Dc Metro Landscape Architect Katia Goffin - Principal Designer [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/lavender-mediterranean-landscape-san-francisco-phvw-vp~74304) [Mediterranean Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/mediterranean-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2109) by San Francisco Landscape Architect Huettl Landscape Architecture [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/montclair-nj-traditional-landscape-new-york-phvw-vp~624861) [Traditional Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2107) by New York Design-build Landscape Techniques Inc [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/beyond-the-gates-traditional-landscape-houston-phvw-vp~441427) [Traditional Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2107) by Houston Landscape Architect L3 Designs [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/front-yard-planting-design-traditional-landscape-new-york-phvw-vp~307252) [Traditional Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2107) by New York Landscape Architect Summerset Gardens/Joe Weuste [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/entry-gate-traditional-landscape-san-francisco-phvw-vp~127532) [Traditional Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2107) by San Francisco Landscape Architect Keith Willig Landscape Services, Inc. [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/randy-thueme-design-inc-traditional-landscape-san-francisco-phvw-vp~458790) [Eclectic Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2104) by San Francisco Landscape Architect Randy Thueme Design Inc. - Landscape Architecture [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/just-a-fabulous-place-to-call-home-traditional-landscape-chicago-phvw-vp~2259081) [Traditional Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2107) by Chicago Landscape Architect Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/exterior-traditional-landscape-new-york-phvw-vp~1457113) [Traditional Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2107) by New York Design-build TR Building & Remodeling Inc. [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/north-arlington-residence-traditional-landscape-dc-metro-phvw-vp~1325547) [Traditional Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2107) by Dc Metro Landscape Architect Katia Goffin - Principal Designer DISLIKE the following pictures: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/garden-design-in-greece-on-the-island-of-paros-mediterranean-landscape-amsterdam-phvw-vp~26097) [Mediterranean Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/mediterranean-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2109) by Amsterdam Landscape Architect Carolyn Chadwick [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/concrete-garden-steps-contemporary-landscape-san-francisco-phvw-vp~77002) [Contemporary Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2103) by San Francisco Landscape Architect Huettl Landscape Architecture [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/remick-contemporary-landscape-san-francisco-phvw-vp~54229) [Modern Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2105) by San Francisco Landscape Architect Huettl Landscape Architecture [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/debora-carl-landscape-design-contemporary-landscape-san-diego-phvw-vp~129196) [Contemporary Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2103) by San Diego Landscape Architect debora carl landscape design [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/woodvalley-residence-contemporary-landscape-vancouver-phvw-vp~368016) [Contemporary Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2103) by Vancouver Interior Designer Gaile Guevara [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/grass-terraces-contemporary-landscape-san-francisco-phvw-vp~66024) [Contemporary Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2103) by San Francisco Landscape Architect Shades Of Green Landscape Architecture [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/historic-landscape-design-wilmette-illinois-victorian-landscape-chicago-phvw-vp~700695) [Traditional Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2107) by Chicago Landscape Architect Schmechtig Landscapes [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/italian-french-parterre-garden-traditional-landscape-los-angeles-phvw-vp~424076) [Traditional Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2107) by Los Angeles Landscape Architect Lenkin Design Inc: Landscape and Garden Design

I would not recommend it. Raised beds smother a tree's roots which are at the surface and could eventually endanger the tree. My neighbor did this and lived to regret it. Not to mention large trees suck all the moisture away from the plants. Sometimes the tree roots will grow right up into the bed. If this is something you really want, I would dig small holes amongst the roots and plant the plants directly in the ground instead. Amend the pockets of soil and be diligent about watering. Rain will not reach under that canopy and what does will be taken up by the tree. Evergreen groundcovers, hostas, spring bulbs, maybe even some dayliles could work.

Yikes cecily! I acctually also have a silver maple in a pot (I rescued it from a friend who got it as a housewarming gift and wanted no part of it) and have left it in a huge conainer for the reasons you explain. I Never knew birches were so troublesome-they seem so innocent!!! Hmm..the other place I could stick it is in the front lawn and have a huge mulch bed around it. I actually hate lawn, so I' welcome any chance to rip some of it out. I 've also heard river birches are very messy. But they are so beautiful! My knockouts are the ONLY failproof thing in my yard, so i'll do whatever i can to keep themhappy, which means no tree. Beetle infestations, month long drought and water ban, hungry bunnies and deer...all have ravished my yard and reaked havock on my garden--even the "easy to grow" stuff. My knockouts haven't looked anything less than spectacular not for a singleday.

I can tell you from years of experience that trying to grow anything under maple trees doesn't work. Their root system is very shallow and too near the surface. I planted and killed more Sum & Substance hostas than I care to think about. What I do to add splashes of color is to "plant" big pots of annual flowers such as impatiens or other colorful flowers under the tree using big colorful pottery pots. I have big pots in several different glazes that I love, but I do have to take them inside my shed during the winter. I also have a hanging blue gazing globe that I also use for additional color that I hang from the tree branches of my Sunset Maple. Wind chimes are also a fun alternative.