In a past life I had a garden on an old street with many walnut trees also known as Juglans Regia. It did not take long before I noticed that a lot of the plants I was planting were dying;petunias, peonies, roses and impatiens would just not grow or bloom. Doubts about my garden competence began to worry me at night.

Low and behold it turns out that walnuts are a garden problem because there are quite a few plants that just can’t live underneath them. A poison called juglone oozes out of the roots of the walnut tree and contaminates the plants below-it is not a good idea to eat anything grown beneath a walnut…not sure if that is true or just some kind of urban legend). Take a look upward to see if you have a walnut tree and this might explain why your hanging fuschia plants keep dying. Your garden problems might be solved if you are dealing with a walnut tree!

Fear not! If you have a walnut tree in your landscape do not fear. A walnut tree is actually something all your neighbors will be envious of because of the beauty and shade it provides. Where could be a nicer place to spend a hot afternoon than underneath a walnut. Not to mention all the wonderful walnuts you can collect for whatever you use them for.

Here is a pretty thorough list of plants that I have had success growing under my walnut trees:

Annual plants that can grow under a walnut tree:

Pansie

Begonia

Marigold

Morning Glory

Flower Bulbs:

Winter Aconite

Narcissus

Tulip

Blue Scilla

Snow Drop

Perennial plants that can grow beneath a walnut tree:

Aster

Common Milkweed (A Main stay in my garden!)

Hosta

Many ferns, for example Japanese Painted Fern

Coral Bell

Day Lilly

Pachysandra

Black Eyed Susan

Spider Wort

Dutchman’ Breeches

Violet

Bugle Weed

Jack in the Pulpit

Wild Geranium

Joe-Pye Weed

Creeping Phlox

Sedum

Trillium

Bee Balm

Shrubs that can grow beneath a walnut tree:

Boxwood

Oakleaf Hydrangea

This is perhaps not the longest list and I am positive that many more plants would or could do well; these are just the ones I have tried and had success with in the garden’s I take care of and my own garden. Good luck and hope that this will help you with any questions about what you can grow around your walnut trees. And you know, if all else fails under your walnut tree then put some cool garden decor, recycled glass gazing ball or perhaps a recycled glass bird feeder there to provide the area with some extra visual interest!