what can I plant in the hole of a tree

Question

What can I plant in the hole of a tree that had a huge limb removed at its base? We recently had a large limb removed from a tree at the tree base because the limb was growing over our house. Now there is a huge, gaping hole where the limb was which is unsightly, especially since the tree is in front of our house. The rest of the tree is healthy. This is a shady area. What type of plant or shrub can I plant in this hole which will stay green all year? We realize the back of the hole would have to be filled with dirt before we plant anything. Many thanks for any advice you can offer on “beautifying” this large tree hole.

Answer 1

Try looking at a rhododendron or azalea. They are mostly evergreen (check to make sure the variety you are getting is evergreen) and do well in shade.

My only concern is that typically, plants can have a hard time surviving if planted close to a mature tree. This is because the tree needs large amounts of water and will suck most of the moisture out of the soil, leaving little for the plants growing beneath it. It is just something to keep in mind when planting under a large tree.