Companion Plants for Red Maple Trees: Maximizing Beauty and Health

Oleh Anonymous September 16, 2021 Post a Comment

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Red Maple Tree Companion Plants

If you're a proud owner of a red maple tree, you'll want to complement its beauty with the right companion plants. Red maple trees, or Acer rubrum, are known for their vibrant red foliage in the fall and their ability to adapt to various soil types and climates. But they also benefit from having companion plants that enhance their growth, provide shade, and attract pollinators. In this article, we'll explore the best companion plants for red maple trees.

1. Ferns

Ferns are an excellent choice as ground covers around red maple trees. They thrive in well-drained soil and partial to full shade, which makes them perfect for growing beneath the canopy of red maple trees. Some popular fern varieties include:

Maidenhair Ferns

Maidenhair ferns have delicate, lacy fronds that add texture and depth to any landscape. They grow up to 18 inches tall and prefer moist, well-draining soil.

Cinnamon Ferns

Cinnamon ferns are named for their cinnamon-colored spore-bearing fronds. They can grow up to 5 feet tall and are ideal for planting in damp soils.

2. Hostas

Hostas are shade-loving plants that add color and texture to your landscape. They come in different sizes, shapes, and colors and can be used as ground covers or border plants. Some popular hostas varieties include:

Blue Hostas

Blue hostas have blue-green leaves that complement the red hues of red maple trees. They prefer moist, well-draining soil and can grow up to 2 feet tall.

Golden Hostas

Golden hostas have bright yellow leaves that add a pop of color to your landscape. They prefer partial to full shade and well-draining soil.

3. Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are shrubs that produce showy flowers in shades of blue, pink, white, and purple. They prefer partial shade and moist, well-draining soil. Some popular hydrangea varieties include:

Bigleaf Hydrangeas

Bigleaf hydrangeas have large, round flowerheads that change color depending on the soil's acidity level. They prefer moist, well-draining soil and partial shade.

Panicled Hydrangeas

Panicled hydrangeas have cone-shaped flowerheads that bloom in summer and fall. They prefer full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil.

4. Azaleas

Azaleas are small shrubs that produce fragrant flowers in shades of pink, red, and purple. They prefer partial shade and acidic, well-draining soil. Some popular azalea varieties include:

Girard's Rose Azalea

Girard's rose azalea has pink flowers that bloom in spring. It prefers partial shade and well-draining soil.

Red Ruffle Azalea

Red ruffle azalea has deep red flowers that bloom in late spring. It prefers partial shade and well-draining soil.

5. Bee Balm

Bee balm is a perennial herb that attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with its showy flowers. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. Some popular bee balm varieties include:

Jacob Cline Bee Balm

Jacob Cline bee balm has bright red flowers that bloom in summer. It prefers full sun and well-draining soil.

Pardon My Cerise Bee Balm

Pardon my cerise bee balm has hot pink flowers that bloom in summer. It prefers partial shade and well-draining soil.

FAQs

1. Can I plant grass under a red maple tree?

Yes, you can plant grass under a red maple tree, but it may not thrive due to the tree's shallow roots and dense canopy. Consider planting ground covers such as ferns or hostas instead.