Those who have a Russian beauty on the site know that other plants do not get along well next to the tree, since the birch “drinks” a lot of water. But this is not the most important thing: the roots of the tree secrete substances that have a detrimental effect on other plants. However, the birch tree also has friends, which we will talk about today.
briar
It is better not to plant it on swampy soils: the dog rose does not tolerate stagnant water. The plant does not suffer from its absence, which makes it an interesting companion for birch. Although the shrub is a relative of the garden rose, it differs greatly in growing conditions.
Rosehip is absolutely unpretentious, unlike its capricious relatives, because a rose will not grow next to a birch. If you plan to grow a shrub to collect its useful berries, consider the fact that it has cross-pollination, plant several shrubs nearby.
2 years after planting, the bush must be thinned out. For the rose hips to bear fruit as much as possible, form a bush of 20 branches. Ideally, when the branches are of different ages. It is better to cut off old or unnecessary branches in spring: the plant does not tolerate frosts on the cuts.
Peony finelygreen
This variety of peony is again of interest to gardeners and landscape designers. The plant itself is listed in the Red Book on the territory of Russia. It happened in the 1960s: the plant was practically exterminated for its medicinal properties.
The simplicity and beauty of the flower pleases the eye in early spring, when the leaves on the trees have not yet appeared. It has a developed root system that looks like elongated potato tubers.
It tolerates cold climates well and belongs to unpretentious plants. Next to the birch, it will feel great and will delight you with bright flowering.
Carnations
There are many varieties of this flower, but they all do not tolerate excessive moisture, this fact can be used when choosing neighbors. Before planting, it is better to place a curb tape next to the birch: this will separate the root system of the tree and carnation.
Such a planting will give more chances for a comfortable living of the flower. You need to plant on the south side: the carnation loves the sun. In dry weather, water sparingly, as birch is a serious competitor for moisture.
Lily-of-the-valley
Flowers for early spring, so they will not compete strongly with a neighbor. There will be enough moisture, the sun too, from the tree and in summer the shade is not very dense, and in the spring the twigs will not have time to be covered with leaves.
If you want the lilies of the valley to bloom from year to year, make a groove in the ground before planting them and put a border tape. The birch root system is located superficially, intertwining with the roots of other plants and taking away moisture and nutrients from them. Lilies of the valley can be planted on the side where there is more shade.
Daylilies
Yellow and brown daylilies feel good next to a birch tree. They grow and bloom, only shorter, in comparison with those who get more moisture, a little thinner, so plant not a small, but a large bush.
It should be noted that the root system of the daylily does not like stagnant water. Make sure that the root collar is not flooded, otherwise the roots will begin to rot. If, nevertheless, the daylily grows in a lowland, you can plant it on artificially high ridges. This method is suitable for areas with a cool climate, frequent and heavy rainfall. If you plant a flower in this way in a hot climate, its root system will overheat and you will need constant watering.
Asian Lilies
They originate from wild varieties. Climatic conditions of growth in the natural environment: from hot summers to cold winters. This makes the Asiatic Lily definitely the right flower to grow next to a tree that draws out a lot of moisture.
Lilies can be planted on the south side of the birch. It is better to separate the flower bed with a border tape so that the roots of the tree do not grow into the root system of the lilies. Autumn planting of bulbs is preferable to spring planting: this makes it possible to root and harden the lilies.
In winter, it is better to cover the planting site, especially if it is frosty: let the plant adapt and take root. Watering is done a little more often than for those bushes that do not grow under a birch.
It is very important to choose the frequency of watering, as the lily does not like excess moisture. At the same time, one should not forget that the birch root system draws water from the soil very strongly.
