If you have a large unutilized space beneath a large tree in your garden, this list of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree will help you out.

The best plants to grow under this tree are the ones with shallow roots. You can also pick the ones that love to stay in a little shade or dappled light.

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Best Shrubs to Grow Under the Oak Tree

1. Dwarf Abelia

Botanical Name: Abelia grandiflora ‘Sherwoodii’

USDA Zones: 6-9

It displays shiny, bronze-colored leaves in spring and fall. It stays compact and spreads up to 3-4 wide and tall and is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.

2. Creeping Sage

Botanical Name: Salvia sonomensis

USDA Zones: 8-9

Creeping sage can be found in the peninsular range, Sierra foothills of California, and Coastal ranges. The flowers are lilac, blue, white, and purple.

3. Oak Leaf Hydrangea

Botanical Name: Hydrangea quercifolia

USDA Zones: 5-8

This deciduous shrub has fuzzy leaves in the shape of oak leaves. The foliage turns purple and red by late fall. During spring and summer, white flowers appear on the plant.

4. Californian Lilac

Botanical Name: Ceanothus ‘Concha’

USDA Zones: 8-10

This shrub displays blue flowers and grows up to 3-7 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide. You can also try Ceanothus ‘Dark Star’, which is broader and more disease-resistant.

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5. Island Bush Snapdragon

Botanical Name: Galvezia speciosa

USDA Zones: 9-11

This vine-like perennial is a California native shrub and shows off trumpet-shaped red blooms, which tempts birds. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.

6. Bush Poppy

Botanical Name: Dendromecon rigida

This evergreen plant produces toothed, leathery leaves and blooms in late winter to mid-spring and displays yellow blossoms.

Best Ground Covers to Grow Under the Oak Tree

7. Blue Leadwood

Botanical Name: Ceratostigma plumbaginoides

USDA Zones: 5-9

This low ground cover grows up to 6-12 inches tall and displays green leaves that turn bronze in full sun and red during the fall. The electric blue blooms are its highlight!

8. Beach Strawberry

Botanical Name: Fragaria chiloensis

USDA Zones: 4-9

It forms a low-growing mat of 6-12 inches high and spreads by stolons. This ground cover grows best in coastal areas. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.

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9. Bluebell Creeper

Botanical Name: Sollya heterophylla

USDA Zones: 10-11

This beautiful loose-spreading shrub grows up to 1-2 feet high. It produces narrow, shiny green foliage and bell-shaped blooms.

10. Pink Knotweed

Botanical Name: Polygonum capitatum

USDA Zones: 8-11

This ground cover grows up to 6-8 inches tall and features green leaves that turn pink with age. It is really easy to maintain and grows without any fuss. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.

Best Perennials to Grow Under the Oak Tree

11. Hostas

Botanical Name: Hosta

USDA Zones: 3-9

Hostas are shade-loving plants and grow well under the tree. This perennial withstand a range of different climates and does well in cold regions.

12. Yarrow

Botanical Name: Achillea millefolium

This easy-to-grow perennial offers clusters of fragrant blooms from spring to late fall. Deadhead the flowers as the old blossoms begin to dry and brown. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.

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13. Primula Meadia

Botanical Name: Dodecatheon meadia

USDA Zones: 4-8

It grows in moist soil and under full sun, whereas tropical climates need partial sun and shade. This plant flourishes in the spring and turns dormant in the summer.

14. Sticky Monkey Flowers

Botanical Name: Diplacus aurantiacus

USDA Zones: 9a-11

This flowering, perennial shrub grows in Southwestern Oregon, California, and Baja, Mexico. The blooms open in shades of white, red, yellow, and orange.

15. Red Valerian

Botanical Name: Centranthus ruber

This perennial is a good choice for tough locations but can be invasive. Prune old flower stems to extend bloom and avoid a leggy appearance. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.

16. Coral Bells

Botanical Name: Heuchera

This round-shaped plant produces bell-shaped pink, orange, red, and white flowers in spring or early summer. Coleus is also a great choice for this spot.

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17. Mexican Sage

Botanical Name: Salvia leucantha

USDA Zones: 7b-10

This perennial flowering plant features silver-green leaves and can be planted as an annual in areas outside of its hardiness range. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.

18. California Fuchsia

Botanical Name: Zauschneria californica

The upright stems of this perennial create a mat of gray-green leaves that grow up to 8-12 inches tall. Its tubular, red blooms attract hummingbirds.

19. Douglas Iris

Botanical Name: Iris douglasiana

This common wildflower comes in various shades, including yellow, purple, blue, white, and pink. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.

Best Annuals to Grow Under the Oak Tree

20. Mountain Phlox

Botanical Name: Linanthus grandiflorus

USDA Zones: 7-10

Native to California, this annual flower offers white flowers with hints of light pink or purple hue. It grows up to 8-12 inches tall.

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21. Love-in-a-Mist

Botanical Name: Nigella damascena

USDA Zones: 2-11

It displays gray-green, lacy leaves and sky-blue blooms, followed by pretty seed capsules used in dried flower arrangements. It grows up to 18-24 inches tall.

22. Pincushion Flower

Botanical Name: Scabiosa atropurpurea

USDA Zones: 3-8

The interesting small blooms resemble pincushions and open in pink, white, lavender, and red colors, the deeply toothed green leaves create a beautiful contrast. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.

23. Garden Nasturtium

Botanical Name: Tropaeolum majus

Grow it as a ground cover, and it will spread gracefully. Both leaves and blooms are edible. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.

24. Menzies Baby Blue Eyes

Botanical Name: Nemophila menziesii

This small, trailing, annual herb display bowl-shaped bright blue blooms. Sow seeds during fall. It grows up to 3-6 inches tall.

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Best Bulbs to Grow Under the Oak Tree

25. Grape Hyacinth

Botanical Name: Muscari armeniacum

These small flowering plants can be grown in the fall. It flowers in full sun and produces small bell-shaped dark blue flowers on light green stalks.

26. Cyclamen

Botanical Name: Cyclamen hederifolium

USDA Zones: 5

Also known as sowbread, this hardy perennial boast delicate silver-lined dark green foliage and pink flowers in fall. It grows best in partial shade, making it

27. Daffodil

Botanical Name: Narcissus

Daffodil produces narrow, strap-like foliage and blossoms in yellow, orange, and white hues. When you plant the bulbs, they will continue to bloom again every spring.

28. Yellow Fall Crocus

Botanical Name: Sternbergia lutea

Also known as lily-of-the-field, this bulbous flowering plant has narrow, straight leaves and deep yellow goblet-shaped flowers. It grows up to 6 inches tall.

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Best Ferns to Grow Under the Oak Tree

29. Southern Sword Fern

Botanical Name: Nephrolepis cordifolia

USDA Zones: 8b-10b

It grows up to 4-12 inches in height, and the leaves emit a citrus fragrance when crushed. This fern prefers partial shade and warm temperatures. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.

30. Coastal Wood Fern

Botanical Name: Dryopteris arguta

USDA Zones: 7-9

This vase-shaped, evergreen fern produces dark green fronds. It is easy to look after and does best in dappled light.

31. Western Sword Fern

Botanical Name: Polystichum munitum

Add texture under or around your oak tree with this low-maintenance, easy-care fern from North America. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.

Best Vines to Grow Under the Oak Tree

32. Lilac Vine

Botanical Name: Hardenbergia violacea

This drought-tolerant flowering vine from Australia offers ornamental purple blooms that resemble pea blossoms.

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33. Kangaroo Ivy

Botanical Name: Cissus antarctica

USDA Zones: 10a-11b

This one is a vigorous climber that can also be used as a ground cover. It exhibits glossy green leaves that favor shady areas, making it a good choice for growing under oak trees.

34. Silver Lace Vine

Botanical Name: Polygonum aubertii

This fast-growing flowering perennial vine is a highly branched twining climber popular for its ornamental evergreen leaves and scented blossoms. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.

Best Grasses to Grow Under the Oak Tree

35. California Fescue

Botanical Name: Festuca californica

USDA Zones: 7-11

California fescue plant has hardy, long, and narrow leaves. The yellow blooms lure both butterflies and moths.

36. Purple Needlegrass

Botanical Name: Stipa pulchra

This easy-to-grow grass flowers during spring in green and purple-colored blooms. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.

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37. Deergrass

Botanical Name: Muhlenbergia rigens

The pointed silver-green to purple leaves of this plant can reach up to 1-3 feet. Ensure it gets dappled light to promote yellow flowers.

38. Tufted Hairgrass

Botanical Name: Deschampsia

USDA Zones: 2-8

The clumping medium green leaves grow up to 1-2 feet tall. Yellow flower spikes create a refreshing contrast with foliage. It is one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.

39. Blue Oat Grass

Botanical Name: Helictrichon sempervirens

The silver-gray leaves resemble blue fescue, which makes it stand out under the oak tree.  This grass requires less water when planted in the shade.

40. Prairie Junegrass

Botanical Name: Koeleria cristata

The gray-green leaves grow up to 1-2 feet tall and wide. It stays green for the most of the year, which makes it one of the Best Plants to Grow Under the Oak Tree.

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