Discussions

I am looking for ideas/suggestions as to what I can plant under a pine tree.  
 
I have a rather large pine tree in my backyard. All of the grass under it is dead and it doesn't look nice at all. We keep the bottom trimmed so there is a good 6 feet before the first branches (we can easily walk under it).  
 
I would like to make a flowerbed underneath it, but I do not have a green thumb at all, so I don't know what will or won't work. I've researched a little online, but I'd love ideas from people around here as to what works in our climate.  
 
Thanks in advance for any and all ideas!

Hostas do wonderful under pine trees with decorative/coloured mulch.  
Each year add a few more different varieties. Split them when they get too big etc.  
Good luck!

Hostas and pine trees do NOT mix.  
 
Pine trees have very shallow root systems that suck a lot of moisture from the soil, thus the problem with plants not growing well under this type of tree. Also, the pine tree will change the acidity level in the soil with its needles.  
 
Hostas need NO root system competition. Hostas have shallow roots and need ALL the moisture that they can get. Hostas planted under a pine tree may survive for a year or two or three, but will not thrive as they would in another location.  
 
I recommend mulching under the tree, placing something ornamental under it, like two chairs and a little table. Maybe a few rocks and some ornamental sayings of some sort could be placed under it. Plant up some shade loving annuals in a pot, placing the pot on the little table between the two chairs.

I replenish the soil under my pine tree every year and my hostas are doing fine. They aren't huge yet but they haven't been there that long. I like them under there and they add color and look fine.

Lily of the Valley grow well under pine trees.

I've tried grass and even goutweed underneath evergreen trees and neither did well. Like Valleyrimgirl said, pines are shallow rooted and there just isn't much in the plant world that loves to be in dry shady areas. You can certainly try a number of plants in there and spend tons of money, but nothing will do well and look like it's thriving. You can keep adding soil and compost every year and things will be ok for a bit, but when you keep adding inches of soil every year, then you will start to smother the pine tree's roots and it will start to suffer and possibly die (mind you, this would solve your problem as well). Another option is to chop planting holes within the pine's root system for plants, such as hosta, and then every couple of years, you'd have to dig them out and re-cut the holes and re-plant them again. And then add water, water and more water. It all depends on how much effort you want to put into this bed. I've been gardening for many years and sometimes it's just not worth the aggravation. There are many very nice options for mulch available, and many, many options for planters and pots as well. But of course, you can always try lily of the valley as well, just don't let it get out of bounds or it will take over everything.

I built a raised flower bed approx 16 inches high under mine and grow daisies and different lilies. Mine flourish well.

I googled and saw this article about evergreen trees and growing perennials underneath pine or shade trees. It pertains to Winnipeg, which is similar to our Brandon Gardening zone.  
 
Whether it's helpful or not, I thought it is worth a share.  
 
http://homes.winnipegfreepress.com/winnipeg-real-estate-articles/renovation-design/GARDENING-Made-in-the-dry-and-shade/id-2654