Can i underplant a dwarf apple with hostas?

[Jungle Jane]

You could plant some bulbs in the autumn,early crocus,hyacinth,daffs & some tulips for coming up after them. Ive got some pebbles at the base of my apple tree helps shade the roots a bit & stops weeds in those few areas.

[bario1]

I think your mind is set on hostas isn't it? Go for it - if the tree isn't performing, then pull some, or change tactics

Thing is, i have 20 bare root hostas that I'm looking for a home for!

[bario1]

Thanks for all the great ideas, I might amalgamate them all! This tiny apple tree is actually the centrepiece of the allotment, planted on the peak of my blueberry rock garden. Having read a bit more about hostas, it's probably not the best spot for them, a bit sunny and dry. Now i'm thinking houseleeks!

[Nicos]

Whatever you plant, remember you'll need to collect the fallen appletree leaves in the autumn
Out of interest...how old is the tree?
I thought you were supposed to leave bare soil around the bade of young trees so there is no competition for food and water????

I live in an apple growing area...you often see daffs planted under them as they have died back before fruit and leaf fall....

[bario1]

Not sure how old it is Nicos, bought it second hand... why do i need to collect the leaves, won't they just dry up/rot/blow away?

[Nicos]

Thought you might compost them ...or create a lovely little home for any hedgehogs in the locality....

[Nicos]

I have houseleeks under a 6 ft oak tree- on top of a mound of granite boulders( aka massive rock garden)
I planted houseleeks underneath as it's in full sun most of the day. Thing is, in winter, Any houseleek plants hidden under the fallen leaves stay too wet and rot.
Just saying...they may be fine with your set up

[nickdub]

TBH the top of pile of rocks does not sound like a good place for an apple tree either - right plant, right place is what we all have to work within.

[bario1]

The tree is on a mound of good fertile soil, the rock garden has been built on the sides of the mound... plenty of fruit last year, even with the hot summer, so i think it's happy enough.

[nickdub]

If it works, it works :-)

Sounds like your mound is not as high and dry as I was imagining.

[bario1]

It's probably not much more than 2' above the surrounding area. Not ideal I know, but it's not going anywhere now!

[Nicos]

OK.....
Problem sorted...
Perennial..
Evergreen....
Flowers...
Lovely scent...
Dry soil....
Full sun....
Low growing....
Different colours...
Different heights..
Edible.....

Plant a selection of thyme!

Do I win the prize?

[bario1]

It's definitely a contender, Nicos!

[mcdood]

Tiarella should work, nice foliage and pretty flowers, I grow Skyrocket attached.

[bario1]

They look nice, might be better suited to go with my hostas, wherever they end up... I've got a rock garden, a bog garden, maybe i need a woodland garden?