Walnut Tree? You Might Have Some Garden Problems
Many, many years ago I lived in an old house in Ann Arbor that had quite a few 80 foot walnut trees, latin name Juglans Regia. I quickly discovered that there were a number of plants that simply died or started to die as soon as I planted them there; petunias, peonies, roses, impatiens are some of the unfortunate few plants that died. 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. This is due to a poisonous substance that leaches from the walnut trees called juglone-I sure would not be eating any veggies or herbs grown near or under a walnut tree( I heard somewhere that it was an ingredient in rat poison many years ago…this might just be a rumour, though). So if you have hanging plants under a giant and elegant tree that keep dying and you do not know why, try looking up to see if that tree is a walnut tree. If it is then that is one garden problem you can consider solved!
Do not fret! Do not abandon hope if you have a lovely walnut in your garden. A walnut tree is actually something all your neighbors will be envious of because of the beauty and shade it provides. 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. Hopefully you will have good results under your walnut tree after reading this article. And you know, if all else fails under your walnut tree then put some outdoor garden decor, recycled glass gazing ball or perhaps a recycled glass bird feeder there to provide the area with some extra visual interest!
Hydrangea Endless Summer – Blooms from Summer-Frost