Here’s a detailed list of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree! Use the space below the tree wisely and add appeal to your garden!
If you have a large unutilized space beneath a large tree in your garden, this list of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree will help you out.
The best plants to grow under this tree are the ones with shallow roots. You can also pick the ones that love to stay in a little shade or dappled light.
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Best Shrubs to Grow Under the Oak Tree
1. Dwarf Abelia
Botanical Name: Abelia grandiflora ‘Sherwoodii’
USDA Zones: 6-9
It displays shiny, bronze-colored leaves in spring and fall. It stays compact and spreads up to 3-4 wide and tall and is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.
2. Creeping Sage
Botanical Name: Salvia sonomensis
USDA Zones: 8-9
Creeping sage can be found in the peninsular range, Sierra foothills of California, and Coastal ranges. The flowers are lilac, blue, white, and purple.
3. Oak Leaf Hydrangea
Botanical Name: Hydrangea quercifolia
USDA Zones: 5-8
This deciduous shrub has fuzzy leaves in the shape of oak leaves. The foliage turns purple and red by late fall. During spring and summer, white flowers appear on the plant.
4. Californian Lilac
Botanical Name: Ceanothus ‘Concha’
USDA Zones: 8-10
This shrub displays blue flowers and grows up to 3-7 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide. You can also try Ceanothus ‘Dark Star’, which is broader and more disease-resistant.
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5. Island Bush Snapdragon
Botanical Name: Galvezia speciosa
USDA Zones: 9-11
This vine-like perennial is a California native shrub and shows off trumpet-shaped red blooms, which tempts birds. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.
6. Bush Poppy
Botanical Name: Dendromecon rigida
USDA Zones: 8-10
This evergreen plant produces toothed, leathery leaves and blooms in late winter to mid-spring and displays yellow blossoms.
Best Ground Covers to Grow Under the Oak Tree
7. Blue Leadwood
Botanical Name: Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
USDA Zones: 5-9
This low ground cover grows up to 6-12 inches tall and displays green leaves that turn bronze in full sun and red during the fall. The electric blue blooms are its highlight!
8. Beach Strawberry
Botanical Name: Fragaria chiloensis
USDA Zones: 4-9
It forms a low-growing mat of 6-12 inches high and spreads by stolons. This ground cover grows best in coastal areas. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.
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9. Bluebell Creeper
Botanical Name: Sollya heterophylla
USDA Zones: 10-11
This beautiful loose-spreading shrub grows up to 1-2 feet high. It produces narrow, shiny green foliage and bell-shaped blooms.
10. Pink Knotweed
Botanical Name: Polygonum capitatum
USDA Zones: 8-11
This ground cover grows up to 6-8 inches tall and features green leaves that turn pink with age. It is really easy to maintain and grows without any fuss. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.
Best Perennials to Grow Under the Oak Tree
11. Hostas
Botanical Name: Hosta
USDA Zones: 3-9
Hostas are shade-loving plants and grow well under the tree. This perennial withstand a range of different climates and does well in cold regions.
12. Yarrow
Botanical Name: Achillea millefolium
USDA Zones: 3-9
This easy-to-grow perennial offers clusters of fragrant blooms from spring to late fall. Deadhead the flowers as the old blossoms begin to dry and brown. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.
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13. Primula Meadia
Botanical Name: Dodecatheon meadia
USDA Zones: 4-8
It grows in moist soil and under full sun, whereas tropical climates need partial sun and shade. This plant flourishes in the spring and turns dormant in the summer.
14. Sticky Monkey Flowers
Botanical Name: Diplacus aurantiacus
USDA Zones: 9a-11
This flowering, perennial shrub grows in Southwestern Oregon, California, and Baja, Mexico. The blooms open in shades of white, red, yellow, and orange.
15. Red Valerian
Botanical Name: Centranthus ruber
USDA Zones: 5-8
This perennial is a good choice for tough locations but can be invasive. Prune old flower stems to extend bloom and avoid a leggy appearance. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.
16. Coral Bells
Botanical Name: Heuchera
USDA Zones: 4-9
This round-shaped plant produces bell-shaped pink, orange, red, and white flowers in spring or early summer. Coleus is also a great choice for this spot.
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17. Mexican Sage
Botanical Name: Salvia leucantha
USDA Zones: 7b-10
This perennial flowering plant features silver-green leaves and can be planted as an annual in areas outside of its hardiness range. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.
18. California Fuchsia
Botanical Name: Zauschneria californica
USDA Zones: 8-11
The upright stems of this perennial create a mat of gray-green leaves that grow up to 8-12 inches tall. Its tubular, red blooms attract hummingbirds.
19. Douglas Iris
Botanical Name: Iris douglasiana
USDA Zones: 6-9
This common wildflower comes in various shades, including yellow, purple, blue, white, and pink. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.
Best Annuals to Grow Under the Oak Tree
20. Mountain Phlox
Botanical Name: Linanthus grandiflorus
USDA Zones: 7-10
Native to California, this annual flower offers white flowers with hints of light pink or purple hue. It grows up to 8-12 inches tall.
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21. Love-in-a-Mist
Botanical Name: Nigella damascena
USDA Zones: 2-11
It displays gray-green, lacy leaves and sky-blue blooms, followed by pretty seed capsules used in dried flower arrangements. It grows up to 18-24 inches tall.
22. Pincushion Flower
Botanical Name: Scabiosa atropurpurea
USDA Zones: 3-8
The interesting small blooms resemble pincushions and open in pink, white, lavender, and red colors, the deeply toothed green leaves create a beautiful contrast. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.
23. Garden Nasturtium
Botanical Name: Tropaeolum majus
USDA Zones: 9-11
Grow it as a ground cover, and it will spread gracefully. Both leaves and blooms are edible. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.
24. Menzies Baby Blue Eyes
Botanical Name: Nemophila menziesii
USDA Zones: 2-11
This small, trailing, annual herb display bowl-shaped bright blue blooms. Sow seeds during fall. It grows up to 3-6 inches tall.
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Best Bulbs to Grow Under the Oak Tree
25. Grape Hyacinth
Botanical Name: Muscari armeniacum
USDA Zones: 4-8
These small flowering plants can be grown in the fall. It flowers in full sun and produces small bell-shaped dark blue flowers on light green stalks.
26. Cyclamen
Botanical Name: Cyclamen hederifolium
USDA Zones: 5
Also known as sowbread, this hardy perennial boast delicate silver-lined dark green foliage and pink flowers in fall. It grows best in partial shade, making it
27. Daffodil
Botanical Name: Narcissus
USDA Zones: 3-8
Daffodil produces narrow, strap-like foliage and blossoms in yellow, orange, and white hues. When you plant the bulbs, they will continue to bloom again every spring.
28. Yellow Fall Crocus
Botanical Name: Sternbergia lutea
USDA Zones: 4-8
Also known as lily-of-the-field, this bulbous flowering plant has narrow, straight leaves and deep yellow goblet-shaped flowers. It grows up to 6 inches tall.
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Best Ferns to Grow Under the Oak Tree
29. Southern Sword Fern
Botanical Name: Nephrolepis cordifolia
USDA Zones: 8b-10b
It grows up to 4-12 inches in height, and the leaves emit a citrus fragrance when crushed. This fern prefers partial shade and warm temperatures. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.
30. Coastal Wood Fern
Botanical Name: Dryopteris arguta
USDA Zones: 7-9
This vase-shaped, evergreen fern produces dark green fronds. It is easy to look after and does best in dappled light.
31. Western Sword Fern
Botanical Name: Polystichum munitum
USDA Zones: 5-9
Add texture under or around your oak tree with this low-maintenance, easy-care fern from North America. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.
Best Vines to Grow Under the Oak Tree
32. Lilac Vine
Botanical Name: Hardenbergia violacea
USDA Zones: 9-11
This drought-tolerant flowering vine from Australia offers ornamental purple blooms that resemble pea blossoms.
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33. Kangaroo Ivy
Botanical Name: Cissus antarctica
USDA Zones: 10a-11b
This one is a vigorous climber that can also be used as a ground cover. It exhibits glossy green leaves that favor shady areas, making it a good choice for growing under oak trees.
34. Silver Lace Vine
Botanical Name: Polygonum aubertii
USDA Zones: 4-8
This fast-growing flowering perennial vine is a highly branched twining climber popular for its ornamental evergreen leaves and scented blossoms. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.
Best Grasses to Grow Under the Oak Tree
35. California Fescue
Botanical Name: Festuca californica
USDA Zones: 7-11
California fescue plant has hardy, long, and narrow leaves. The yellow blooms lure both butterflies and moths.
36. Purple Needlegrass
Botanical Name: Stipa pulchra
USDA Zones: 7-11
This easy-to-grow grass flowers during spring in green and purple-colored blooms. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.
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37. Deergrass
Botanical Name: Muhlenbergia rigens
USDA Zones: 7-10
The pointed silver-green to purple leaves of this plant can reach up to 1-3 feet. Ensure it gets dappled light to promote yellow flowers.
38. Tufted Hairgrass
Botanical Name: Deschampsia
USDA Zones: 2-8
The clumping medium green leaves grow up to 1-2 feet tall. Yellow flower spikes create a refreshing contrast with foliage. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.
39. Blue Oat Grass
Botanical Name: Helictrichon sempervirens
USDA Zones: 4-8
The silver-gray leaves resemble blue fescue, which makes it stand out under the oak tree. This grass requires less water when planted in the shade.
40. Prairie Junegrass
Botanical Name: Koeleria cristata
USDA Zones: 3-9
The gray-green leaves grow up to 1-2 feet tall and wide. It stays green for the most of the year, which makes it one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.
