Planting Beneath a Cedar Hedge

(Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)

I have an area beneath cedar trees that I would like to put something green and beautiful there. The cedars are very well established, so their root system is quite extensive. I'm in the British Columbia Lower Mainland where the cedars hedges grow well around almost every front yard!Are there acid loving perennials with shallow root systems that could work in this area? Or am I doomed to a garden with only red wood chips and nothing green?



Doug says that if it's beside a cedar hedge - and it gets some sunlight then your problem is roots and water - both of which you can solve. (by hacking out enough roots to fit the pot plus leaving 3-4 inches around it to pack in compost and soil 50:50) plus a watering hose.

If it's right under the cedar tree, then get used to bark chips because the dense shade of this plant won't let plants grow in the wild - it surely isn't going to let plants grow in your garden.

It's like trying to grow something in a cupboard.

Mind you - you could always be quite devilish and install silk flowers. It would drive the neighbors nuts. :-)