Gum tree diagram ( Eucalyptus spp . ) are prized for their aromatic foliage , drought leeway and the shade they create in the yard . But that shade — along with gum ' tendency to soak up most of the wet and food in the soil and make dense leaf bedding on the ground — also makes choosing appropriate plant for understory planting a challenge . For the best results , pick out shade - tolerant plant with shallow root word that fly high in now and again wry sites .
Annuals
Step 1
yearbook lend brilliant color during the growing season . Shallow - rooted choices include petunias ( Petunia x hybrida ) , which grow in a range of people of color — from white and pinkish to bolshy and purplish — and sizes , from 6 to 14 inches tall . Petunias flower from bounce through summertime and tolerate drought andpartial nuance . Verbena ( Verbena x hybrida ) blossom from late spring through autumn and acquire from 6 to 12 inch tall . These drought - tolerant yearly come in blue , white , pink and red tones and grow in Dominicus to fond shade exposure .
Perennials
Perennials grow for at least four season , some for much longer . kind for gum tree tree understory planting include the bergenia ( Bergenia cordifolia ) . This 18 - inch - marvellous perennial bloom in spring with mystifying pink flush and has dark , shining leave-taking . It ’s sturdy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 3 to 8 and prefer partial shade exposures . At the cheery sharpness of the gum understory , plant intrepid ice plant ( Delosperma cooperi ) . Reaching heights of just 3 to 6 inches , this drouth - tolerant perennial has succulent - comparable foliage and blooms with bright pinkish and empurpled flowers in summer . It ’s hardy in USDA geographical zone 6 to 9 and prefers wry , sandlike soil .
Shrubs
The bearberry cotoneaster ( Cotoneaster dammeri ) grows well under gum trees . This evergreen plant bush abide drought and partial shade and spreads rapidly to 6 foot spacious and 2 metrical unit tall . Its evergreen plant foliage counterpoint with its clean spring flowers and reddish berries . Bearberry cotoneaster are hardy in USDA zona 5 to 7 . For a taller bush , plant a glossy abelia ( Abelia x grandiflora ) . This semi - evergreen grow to 6 feet magniloquent and is identify for its shiny , blue foliage that turn red - bronze in wintertime . Hardy in USDA zones 6 to 9 , this shrub tolerates drouth and grows in part shaded site .
Groundcovers
groundcover fill in empty spots under your gum tree . Choices include the shore Genista raetam ( Juniperus conferta ) , a fast - grow evergreen that forms a dense mat of leaf . shoring junipers grow in partial shade and ironic dirt . They ’re unfearing in USDA zones 6 to 8 and reach heights of 10 column inch . The " Blue Pacific " cultivar has gamey - green foliage and spreads to 10 substructure full . Liriope ( Liriope spicata ) grows to 12 inches marvellous with a alike spread . This drought - patient of groundcover has grass - like , evergreen foliation and grows in clumps . It ’s intrepid in USDA zones 4 to 9 and thrives in partial to full shade .
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