Hi Em, There are a couple of very nice ground covers in the Plectranthus group. They are reasonably hardy, keep the weeds away and don't require much looking after. They can be cut down fairly hard if you need to though. They only grow to a foot high at most and have lovely stems of soft mauve spikes. I have them growing under pine trees (big ones) and they are very successful. Dee.

Em I have so many things growing under my huge Gum trees, Azaleas, ferns, broms, Begonia, agapanthus, hippeastrums, creepers, bougainvllea, wisteria, cycads pots of jonquils, cordlines gazania, verbena ground cover the list is endless here, and we have frosts too not as bad as yours though.

I think ferns are as tough as old boots even if the top dies off there is plenty under the ground waiting for the warmer weather so they can erupt. Just plant what you like and see what happens if you think the frost will be too severe then cover them up while young. Take a walk around your area and look at other peoples gardens and ask around thats the best advise you can get. Good luck with your choice.

MM.

I agree that (some) ferns are as tough as old boots. Also, they don't necessarily require damp conditions.

I have planted a number of ferns - basically whatever K-Mart was selling as Baby Ferns - along the narrow passageway between fence and house. Although they are protected from our heavy frosts, they still have to contend with the winter cold of the Canberra region. Some turned up their toes in the first winter, the survivors went on to endure our drought. Over the past 3 years, the only water they have received is the odd shower of rain.

The oak tree, at 100 years, should be providing high shade - that is, shade from direct sun but still allowing for a lot of light underneath. There are oodles of plants which would enjoy the environment, including shrubs.

I would definitely recommend the old acanthus (oyster plant or bear's britches). After dying back after flowering in summer, it shoots up again in autumn. The large dark green leaves are quite impervious to cold and would provide a luxurious green under the bare oak. If it were my garden, I would plant lots - they grow from root cuttings.

The leaves themselves look fantastic edged with a rim of frost.

Lots of photos on the net of the flowers, but finally found this one of the plant.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_plants_perennials/article/0,1785,HGTV_3610_1956068,00.html

Wow thank you for all the advice, I was jsut given an oyster plant and it will go in pride of place!
I will let you all know how it works out!
With many thanks Em

I'm a slow thinker these days - hellebores or Christmas/Lenten/Winter roses would also do well under your tree. They are winter flowering - so the common names have been acquired in the northern hemisphere. The clumps of dark green leaves look very attractive under bare branches in winter and are not harmed by frost.

These are very hardy plants, flowering in late winter. As the new leaves emerge around the same time as the flowers, the older leaves gradually lower themselves onto the ground and die. Flower height is about 30-40cm.

They come in a range of colours - white to pink to deep red and plum colours. Most of the more common ones are spotted. You can pick up un-named varieties quite cheaply, especially when they are not in flower. The named varieties can be more expensive.

Mine reproduce quite happily left to their own devices and with two or three different colours, you will get quite a lot of variations in the seedlings.

This site will give you plenty of information and piccies.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.postofficefarmnursery.com.au/

Hi Mistymorn,
Hippeastrum are just great under oaks from the trunk to the drip line. Those other plants are just weeds; not that I am obsessed just because I started the Amaryllis Study Group.
Bill Warren

Hi Daisy 81,
What's going on under the oak after 7 years? If you planted amaryllis, I expect they have now pulled themselves into the ground and have only leaves-but no flowers. To get them to bloom again raise the bulb so the widest part of the bulb is at the soil surface. To keep them from sinking into the ground again put a flat piece of hard material 4 inches across like a pot shard or piece of tile immediately under the bulb in the ground. They will bloom for 12 to 20 years without having to be dug up again. Use your oak leaf
as mulch not wood chips or anything else. Bill Warren