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Planting under dwarf giant sequoia #775859

Asked October 19, 2021, 6:45 PM EDT

Hi , We have a dwarf giant sequoia that takes up a lot of our yard. What should we plant under it that would both not disturb its roots and also grow well there? It gets some sun, not much rain and lots of droppings from the tree. Fast ground cover? Perennial flowers? Bulbs? We are open. Thank you

Multnomah County Oregon

Expert Response

Thank you for your question, Deepti.  Here is a list of plants that grow in nature under sequoias:  

"Common understory species include Pteridium aquilinum var. lanuginosum [eagle fern], Polystichum munitum [Western swordfern], Gaultheria shallon [salal], and Ceanothus velutinus [snowbrush ceanothus, red root and tobacco brush]. Where it has been introduced in Russia, Sequoia has been reported to hybridize with Japanese cryptomeria (Cryptomeria japonica)."  Plant Data Sheet (washington.edu)  So, just check out the forests in which it grows, and you can find these.  Good luck!

An Ask Extension Expert Replied October 19, 2021, 6:57 PM EDT

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