Landscaping around trees has the potential to change an ordinary yard into an amazing outdoor escape. With careful consideration, you can amplify the charm and practicality of your open-air area.

1. Establish a Spiky Garden

Spiky plants provide interesting textures and a modern feel all around trees.
Spiky plants provide interesting textures and a modern feel all around trees.

Spiky plants make tree landscaping more interesting because they come in all sorts of shapes and colors. What I’ve noticed is that they flourish with just the right amount of shade from the tree.

2. Incorporate Walkways

Walkways draw the eye and steps toward your beautiful trees.
Walkways draw the eye and steps toward your beautiful trees.

A winding walkway that either goes to or from the tree helps make the space feel inviting and planned. I’m often inclined to use stone or brick because they give off such a calm vibe.

3. Make a Raised Space

A raised deck around a tree combines nature with living space.
A raised deck around a tree combines nature with living space.

Building a raised area around a tree has a big impact and improves your outdoor space. It’s a treat to see a tree become the heart of your relaxation spot.

4. Add a Water Feature

Water features bring a sense of life and calm to your garden.
Water features bring a sense of life and calm to your garden.

A birdbath or a small fountain has the power to pull in birds and promote a peaceful atmosphere. It’s pretty clear that the sound of flowing water brings such peace and calm to any garden setting.

5. Add Art Pieces

Art pieces provide a creative touch to tree landscaping.
Art pieces provide a creative touch to tree landscaping.

Placing art next to a tree makes a focal point and adds a personal touch. Selecting pieces that match the theme of the garden is usually the way to go.

6. Test Staggered Planting

Staggered planting adds a full, rich look all around trees.
Staggered planting adds a full, rich look all around trees.

Placing plants in levels around your tree adds both depth and scale. When I use this, it makes me think of flowing terraces climbing up a hillside.

7. Try Hedging

Hedges provide privacy and structure around trees.
Hedges provide privacy and structure around trees.

Planting a hedge around a tree provides a natural barrier and adds some privacy. I am always drawn to using boxwood because of its thick, rich foliage.

8. Create a Pebble Boundary

Stone boundaries give an elegant yet distinct touch to the base of trees.
Stone boundaries give an elegant yet distinct touch to the base of trees.

A pebble boundary circling a tree never goes out of style. It marks the space in a lovely way and gives off a feeling of sophistication—I’m often drawn to using smooth stones because of their simple appeal.

9. Choose Long-Lasting Plants

Long-lasting plants give lasting beauty and are easy to keep up around trees.
Long-lasting plants give lasting beauty and are easy to keep up around trees.

Long-lasting plants make gardening so much easier, since they pop back up without a lot of work each year. I find it amazing that they look great continuously without needing to be replanted.

10. Install Dusk Illumination

Dusk illumination adds a magical environment to your garden.
Dusk illumination adds a magical environment to your garden.

Putting up lights makes your yard look magical once night comes. I’m a big fan of using lights that get power from the sun to highlight the tree and make a nice mood.

11. Cherish the Wonder of Mulching

Mulch offers security while also adding to the beauty of the area around trees.
Mulch offers security while also adding to the beauty of the area around trees.

Mulching is really helpful for keeping soil damp and managing weeds near your trees. I’m always amazed by how a bit of mulch not only helps protect, but also makes the garden look so polished and complete.

12. Plan a Blossom Display

Flowers make the bottom of any tree vibrant and colorful.
Flowers make the bottom of any tree vibrant and colorful.

Arranging a bright assortment of flowers at the base of your tree can deliver a striking visual treat. It’s really fun for me to pair longer-lasting blooms with ones that only last a season to keep the view fresh and exciting.

13. Try Skyward Gardening

Skyward gardening introduces intrigue to tree settings.
Skyward gardening introduces intrigue to tree settings.

Skyward gardening around a tree uses vertical space to add more green. Hanging planters or climbing frames create a gorgeous, cascading effect that catches the eye.

14. Make a Tree Circle

Tree circles provide protection and a polished appearance.
Tree circles provide protection and a polished appearance.

Creating a tree circle from stone or brick is a simple yet super effective way to protect the roots. I appreciate how it marks the area and keeps the mulch where it should be.

15. Incorporate Dirt Covers

Ground covers fill in empty spots and add effortless greenness.
Ground covers fill in empty spots and add effortless greenness.

Dirt covers such as ivy or vinca work really well at filling in shaded areas. They make a vibrant ground cover that doesn’t take a lot of effort to keep looking good.

16. Employ Edges

Edging delivers structure and clarity in any garden style.
Edging delivers structure and clarity in any garden style.

Creating defined edges with bricks or metal helps keep mulch in place and gives definition to the tree area. It’s a simple addition that really enhances the garden’s whole appearance.

17. Choose a Wild Design

Wild designs give the essence of a wild garden to your tree.
Wild designs give the essence of a wild garden to your tree.

Stressing a wild, untamed appearance by utilizing a diverse selection of plants makes the space around your tree seem like a bit of nature still untouched. It’s really satisfying to mix native grasses in with wildflowers for a truly organic effect.

18. Combine Greens and Bushes

Greens and bushes give year-round beauty encircling trees.
Greens and bushes give year-round beauty encircling trees.

Evergreen plants and small bushes bring a consistent feel and life to your garden all through the year. I believe they’re vital for achieving a landscape design that feels balanced and lasting.

19. Make a Rock Feature

Rocks and stones give a unique, artistic look to the foundation of any tree.
Rocks and stones give a unique, artistic look to the foundation of any tree.

Utilizing rocks and little stones transforms the space surrounding a tree into an eye-catching work of art. I’m keen on combining various sizes and shades to add interest and texture.

20. Construct a Supportive Wall

Supportive walls bring form and beauty to sloped yards.
Supportive walls bring form and beauty to sloped yards.

A supportive wall has the ability to turn a sloped garden into a nice, flat planting area. It’s not just impressive-looking; I’ve noticed it also provides crucial support against soil runoff.