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What To Plant Under Cedar Trees? – 15 Plants For Cedar Tree Landscaping

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Written By Sophia Martinez

Organic & Sustainable Gardening Enthusiast

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Home » Companion Plants » What To Plant Under Cedar Trees? – 15 Plants For Cedar Tree Landscaping

Curious about what plants grow under Cedar trees?

Brighten your shady garden with ground cover and flowers that thrive in low light.

These companion plants will spark landscaping ideas that will help you create a vibrant garden beneath your Cedars.

Find the perfect understory inspo for your yard and bring these stunning garden ideas to life.

Companion Plants That Grow Well Under Cedar Trees

1. Periwinkle

Bright blue or purple flowers make Periwinkle a charming ground cover under cedar trees.

Thriving in shade, this low-maintenance plant spreads easily, keeping weeds at bay and providing year-round greenery.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
  • Average Mature Size: 6-12 inches tall, 12-18 inches spread
  • Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast
  • Type: Perennial
  • Key Benefits: Weed Suppressor, Mulch Maker, Pest Repeller
  • Botanical Name: Vinca minor

2. Creeping Wintergreen

Glossy green leaves and bright red berries make Creeping Wintergreen an attractive choice for planting beneath cedar trees.

This low-growing plant thrives in shady areas, offering a burst of color and a pleasant minty aroma.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
  • Average Mature Size: 3-6 inches tall, spreading 6-12 inches
  • Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
  • Type: Perennial
  • Key Benefits: Attract Pollinators, Weed Suppressor, Mulch Maker
  • Botanical Name: Gaultheria procumbens

3. Bugleweed

Vibrant purple-blue flower spikes make Bugleweed a striking ground cover for the shady spots under cedar trees.

This hardy plant spreads quickly, suppressing weeds and adding a touch of color to your garden.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 3-10
  • Average Mature Size: 6-9 inches tall, spreading 12-24 inches
  • Growth Rate: Fast
  • Type: Perennial
  • Key Benefits: Weed Suppressor, Mulch Maker, Pest Repeller
  • Botanical Name: Ajuga reptans

4. Hostas

Lush foliage in various shades of green, blue, and even variegated patterns make Hostas a popular choice for planting underneath cedar trees.

These shade-loving plants are known for their resilience and ability to thrive in low-light conditions.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 3-9
  • Average Mature Size: 1-2 feet tall, 1-4 feet spread
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Type: Perennial
  • Key Benefits: Weed Suppressor, Mulch Maker, Attract Pollinators
  • Botanical Name: Hosta spp.

5. Coral Bells

Colorful foliage and delicate bell-shaped flowers make Coral Bells a lovely addition under cedar trees.

These perennials thrive in partial to full shade, offering vibrant colors and attracting pollinators to your garden.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
  • Average Mature Size: 12-18 inches tall, 12-24 inches spread
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Type: Perennial
  • Key Benefits: Attract Pollinators, Weed Suppressor, Mulch Maker
  • Botanical Name: Heuchera spp.

6. Impatiens

Bright, cheerful flowers make Impatiens a delightful choice for planting around cedar trees.

Flourishing in shady spots, these annuals add a burst of color to your garden and require minimal maintenance.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 10-11 (grown as annuals in most regions)
  • Average Mature Size: 6-24 inches tall, 6-12 inches spread
  • Growth Rate: Fast
  • Type: Annual
  • Key Benefits: Attract Pollinators, Weed Suppressor
  • Botanical Name: Impatiens spp.

7. Lobelia

With its stunning blue flowers, Lobelia is perfect for adding vibrant color under cedar trees.

This low-growing plant thrives in shade and attracts pollinators, making it a beautiful and beneficial addition to your garden.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 2-10
  • Average Mature Size: 4-9 inches tall, 6-12 inches spread
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Type: Annual
  • Key Benefits: Attract Pollinators, Weed Suppressor
  • Botanical Name: Lobelia erinus

8. Japanese Anemones

Elegant flowers with delicate petals make Japanese Anemones a graceful choice for landscaping under cedar trees.

These perennials flourish in partial shade, providing late-season blooms and attracting pollinators to your garden.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 4-8
  • Average Mature Size: 2-4 feet tall, 1.5-2 feet spread
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Type: Perennial
  • Key Benefits: Attract Pollinators, Weed Suppressor
  • Botanical Name: Anemone hupehensis

9. Mexican Daisy

Charming white and pink blooms make Mexican Daisy a delightful ground cover underneath cedar trees.

This hardy plant thrives in partial shade and attracts pollinators, adding a touch of cheer to shaded garden areas.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 8-11
  • Average Mature Size: 6-12 inches tall, 1-2 feet spread
  • Growth Rate: Fast
  • Type: Perennial
  • Key Benefits: Attract Pollinators, Weed Suppressor, Mulch Maker
  • Botanical Name: Erigeron karvinskianus

10. Caladium bicolor

Vibrant, heart-shaped leaves in stunning colors make Caladium Bicolor an eye-catching choice for landscaping under cedar trees.

These shade-loving plants add a tropical flair to your garden, flourishing in low-light conditions.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 9-11
  • Average Mature Size: 12-30 inches tall, 12-24 inches spread
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Type: Perennial
  • Key Benefits: Weed Suppressor, Mulch Maker
  • Botanical Name: Caladium bicolor

11. Catmint

Lovely lavender-blue flowers and aromatic foliage make Catmint a wonderful choice for planting under cedar trees.

This hardy perennial thrives in partial shade, attracts pollinators, and is easy to maintain.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 3-9
  • Average Mature Size: 1-2 feet tall, 1-2 feet spread
  • Growth Rate: Fast
  • Type: Perennial
  • Key Benefits: Attract Pollinators, Weed Suppressor, Pest Repeller
  • Botanical Name: Nepeta spp.

12. Beardtongue

Bright, tubular flowers make Beardtongue a colorful choice for planting underneath cedar trees.

This resilient perennial thrives in partial shade, attracting pollinators and adding a touch of wild beauty to your garden.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
  • Average Mature Size: 1-3 feet tall, 1-2 feet spread
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Type: Perennial
  • Key Benefits: Attract Pollinators, Weed Suppressor
  • Botanical Name: Penstemon spp.

13. Columbine

Delicate, nodding flowers in a variety of colors make Columbine a charming addition underneath cedar trees.

This hardy perennial flourishes in partial shade, attracting pollinators and adding elegance to shaded garden spots.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 3-9
  • Average Mature Size: 1-3 feet tall, 1-1.5 feet spread
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Type: Perennial
  • Key Benefits: Attract Pollinators, Weed Suppressor
  • Botanical Name: Aquilegia spp.

14. Pig Squeak

Glossy leaves and clusters of pink or white flowers make Pig Squeak a great choice for landscaping under cedar trees.

This tough perennial thrives in partial to full shade, offering vibrant spring blooms and year-round foliage.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
  • Average Mature Size: 1-2 feet tall, 1-2 feet spread
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Type: Perennial
  • Key Benefits: Weed Suppressor, Mulch Maker, Attract Pollinators
  • Botanical Name: Bergenia spp.

15. Clivia

Bright orange or yellow flowers and strap-like leaves make Clivia a striking choice for planting under cedar trees.

This hardy perennial thrives in shade and adds a touch of tropical elegance to your garden.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 9-11
  • Average Mature Size: 1.5-2 feet tall, 1.5-2 feet spread
  • Growth Rate: Slow
  • Type: Perennial
  • Key Benefits: Attract Pollinators, Weed Suppressor
  • Botanical Name: Clivia miniata

Ideas & Designs For Landscaping Under Cedar Trees

Design Ideas For Planting Under & Around Cedar Trees
A lovely design idea for planting under and around a Deodar Cedar tree. It features companion plants such as Bugleweed, Japanese Anemones, and Periwinkle. These plants are selected for their ability to thrive in the shade and acidic soil commonly found under cedar trees, creating a vibrant and layered landscape that complements the towering cedar.
Plants Under Cedar Trees - Design Ideas
This design shows some cool ideas for what to plant under an Atlas Cedar tree. You’ve got colorful Columbines, lush Hostas, and vibrant Coral Bells, all nestled under the cedar’s branches. These plants are perfect for adding some life and color to the shady spot beneath the tree, making the whole area look inviting and full of character. Perfect for sprucing up your garden!
Landscaping Under Cedar Trees With Plants
This design gives you a fun idea for landscaping under a Cedar of Lebanon tree. It features a vibrant mix of plants like Caladium with its colorful leaves, bright Impatiens, and the low-growing Lobelia. These plants bring a splash of color and life to the shaded area beneath the cedar, turning it into a lively, eye-catching spot in your garden. Perfect for adding some flair and personality to those tricky, shady spaces!
Design Ideas: What to Plant Under Cedar Trees
This design gives you a bright idea for what to plant under a Deodar Cedar tree. It showcases Clivia with its bold orange blooms and Periwinkle with its delicate purple flowers. These plants add a pop of color and texture to the shady spot beneath the cedar, making it a lively and eye-catching part of your garden. It’s a great way to bring some life to an area that can often be tricky to plant in!

Want More?

I hope you found a selection of understory plants that will look great under the Cedar tree in your yard.

You can also learn more about other companion plants that grow under Maple, Pine, Oak, Citrus and Spruce trees.

Photo of author

Sophia Martinez

Organic & Sustainable Gardening Enthusiast

Sophia has cultivated her gardening skills over the past decade, focusing on the care of both ornamental and fruit-bearing trees. Her deep understanding of sustainable gardening practices stems from a lifelong passion for nature and plant life. Beyond her professional life, Sophia spends her leisure time engaged with the natural world. She enjoys birdwatching and nature photography, capturing the intricate beauty of the ecosystems around her.

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