Hostas under a willow tree--Yay or Nay?

Question

Our very large willow tree (Bubba) is beautiful but I want to add more visual interest by planting several varieties of Hostas around the base of her, in particular, the Empress Wu. I'm concerned that the tree will take any/all moisture and nutrients away from the Hostas. I'm also planning on putting in several groupings of jonquils behind the tree (apporox. area--20X8). Thoughts?

Colleen · Answer

Tree looks a little lonesome by itself,but I wouldn't plant anything underneath the tree's canopy. Maybe make a 'tree skirt' of landscape fabric and pebbles/stones.

Lorah Marquardt · Answer

Hosta shouldn't have any problems in that spot. I love Empress Wu, but from a design perspective, I would stick with smaller varieties.

Greta Swanson · Answer

I would put more of a shade plant, not hostas.

Douglas Hunt · Answer

Not sure about planting under the willow. They are water hogs, as you say, and all winter you will look at a wide ring of brown. But definitely go for it on the daffs.

Jeanette S · Answer

Rather than accent with plantings, accent by making an irregular shaped space beneath in which you use interesting garden pieces. A couple of large rocks sitting close together with a few smaller ones scattered around them (don't make everything symmetrical). Use mulch, pinestraw or even pebbles as the ground cover. Add a gazing ball or a couple of small garden pieces. As you can see from the Hometalk folks, almost anything will work...even different size of brightly painted pots filled with flowers. Be sure and post photos!

Terina Maria · Answer

I love these suggestions! Thank you

Julie B · Answer

Nay

Betty819 · Answer

Don't know what is meant by 'A tree skirt' but our neighbors built a mini patio under theirs which hold 2 or 3 patio chairs with a small flowerbed surrounding it. They call it 'Mary's place.' named for her deceased Mother who used to love to sit under there and have a beer and cigarettes.

Wendy Johnson · Answer

What a beautiful tree! I hope you post an after pic of what you decide.

Tracy Dailey · Answer

What about a raised bed of hostas?  That way the way roots don't compete.

Buster Evans · Answer

I have planted hostas under my magnolia trees but as of yet not under my willows...the willows are still relatively small... My son buried his longtime friend(a boxer dog) under the largest willow.. 
 They are my favorite trees even with their bad reputation for being invasive with their roots into water systems and what not...I love the gently moving branches, and just the overall appearance of the tree and to be able to walk up under its canopy is almost like greeting a friend...
 Bubba looks like her branches come really low to the ground so I dont know about how much space you would have for plants under her to grow upward... As far as the hostas go they could coexist there, next to the trunk I would mix the variegated with solid color dark green and light for contrast, Maybe a statue to commemorate something like children when they were young etc....
 Weeping willows have to be the ones Joyce Kilmer referred to in the poem 'TREES' as 'A tree that may in summer wear, a nest of robins in her hair'....
 Just use your own instincts ,imagination, and thoughts on what bubba needs out there with her... Anything you choose will be fine.

Linda · Answer

I'm not sure why you have a space under your willow; do you trim it? I think it would look best if it just swept the ground; otherwise I like Jeanette's ideas best.

Kimberley N · Answer

Consider adding a tree skirt in either some pretty pebbles or perhaps mulch. Place a colorful bench off to the side of the tree with a substantial sized planter filled with beautiful blooms for some additional interest. Just an FYI regarding Hostas- they are a favorite among deer. So if you have any four-legged visitors, Hostas won't work. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Julius L · Answer

I think it is beautiful as is...free flowing.  Willows really zap up all the water so not sure if anything could survive.  How about a nice piece of garden art, i.e., large metal sculpture coming out from under the tree.

Christine Patton Daigle · Answer

Put a bench so you can sit under it. It's gorgeous.  Enjoy it!

Christine Patton Daigle · Answer

Yes, bugs are annoying. :)

Julie Burkhardt · Answer

I have a large weeping willow too.  I used RR ties to make a octagon shaped raised bed and planted hostas, autumn joy sedum, phlox etc.  It looks pretty good although the tree is very old and may not last too many more years.

Kelly French Johnson · Answer

I have had an abundance of hostas of all different varieties over the past 30 yrs and the only thing that I have found that kills them is our hard winters, but they come back even bigger and better every spring. I am in Upstate NY, so our winters kill EVERYTHING :) I think they would look great under the tree, and it sure would make mowing under it alot easier!

Susan · Answer

NO...it is beautiful like it is!

Lisa B · Answer

I have hostas undery willow trees. They are good companions. Never build a raised bed under a tree, it will smother the tree's roots.

Deborah Donovan-Navarro · Answer

I had a beautiful planting under my willow tree when I lived in England. Wish I had a picture of it. I had Casablanca lilies, hardy fuchsia, hardy geranium, hosta, Tiarella and a border of a short, spreading campanula. It was stunning.

Charline · Answer

Sounds like a good idea. Go for it. I am planning to plant host's under an oak tree.

Linda J · Answer

No hostas. No, no, no. I won't bore you with details. Let's just say I learned about Hostas the hard way.

Claire · Answer

just a bench for relaxing would be pretty

Ruth Slagowski · Answer

i have hostas under our varigated willow. They grow beautifully but the problem is the continual leaf drop of the willow. The small leaves collect on the hostas and detract from their beauty. It is a constant job to wash the debris off of the hostas. Maybe I'm the only one with this issue?

Brendaly · Answer

No. It will take away from its beautiful cascading effect

Rebecca Freeman · Answer

Anyone who's ever had a weeping willow knows how the branches drop. Not a good plan to have hostas beneath. That would make raking the dropped branches much more difficult. Besides, these trees look beautiful just as they are. Simplify.

Comet · Answer

One of my favorite memories of my child hood home is of the lovely weeping willow with HOSTAS and CLEOMES growing under it! Nothing kills either of these plants and they return (the cleomes self seed) forever. Some hostas have flowering branches that will be above the leaves for a pretty look. Go for it! (Cleomes come in WHITE; PINK and LIGHT AND DARK PURPLE)

153091 · Answer

I have a willow..not as elegant and big as yours....I like metal and rust..placed one of my unique rusty garden decor items under it..looks wonderful..we love it.

Grace Gleason · Answer

If you decide to plant under the willow, remember not to overdo it. Every hole you dig kills roots. Every root you kill kills part of the tree. Plant small hostas [small holes] that will grow large. I did this under a fairly young oak and still had some damage. They were beautiful for a few years until the voles wiped them out. Don't let anyone tell you nothing can kill hostas.

Hostas under a willow tree--Yay or Nay?

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Hostas under a willow tree--Yay or Nay?

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