Growing anything under trees can be difficult.
Can carpet bugle grow under a maple tree.
First of all trees create a rain shadow where it is always drier beneath a tree.
How to plant under maple trees.
These stems spread out horizontally over the ground and can root where they come in contact with the soil.
Planting under maple trees acer spp is a challenge for several reasons.
It is a trailing rooting ground cover.
As most maple species are large trees under planting species should be chosen for complementary characteristics such a shade tolerance preference for moist and acidic soil as well as to complement and contrast the appearance of the tree.
However when placed in strategic locations its quick growth and mat forming trait can provide instant coverage with only a few plants.
If you dig into the soil more than a few.
Cut off the flower spikes in late summer after the flowers have faded.
Bugleweed is a low growing ground cover usually staying under 6 inches.
Trailing rooting ground covers have trailing stems that spread out from a central root system.
Evergreen in most regions it is perfect for planting between stepping stones or in wall crevices.
To keep the plant under control rigorously prune runners twice a year.
Ajuga ground cover spreads through runners and as a member of the mint family it can get out of control without proper care.
Once established this tough plant needs little care and is also hard to eradicate.
Department of agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9 can tolerate poor soil partial shade and even plant killing black walnut.
Plant bugleweed in an area where air circulation is good spacing the plants about 1 foot apart.
To shear back a large area of bugleweed use a lawnmower set to a high blade height.
Fast growing ajuga reptans bronze beauty carpet bugle is a vigorous perennial prized for its rich blue flowers and contrasting bronze tinged leaves which quickly form a dense mat of attractive rosettes.
Carpet bugle ajuga reptans toots its own horn with spikes of blue flowers in spring and early summer.
Under planting can also increase the planting acreage making use of otherwise dull or lost space.
Others revile it because it climbs literally everything it touches and can be invasive unless carefully controlled.
How to grow bugleweed.
Secondly some trees such as maples poplars and willow have heavy feeder roots that rest near the surface making it virtually impossible to grow let alone even dig a hole for planting.
Thick leathery lobed leaves grow from running stems that root where they touch the ground forming a thick carpet 6 12 inches high.
