Shady Areas

[YorktownGal]

I think a lot would depend on the type of trees. Some trees need more water and competing plants would harm them. Some trees kill plants growing nearby

Be careful when disturbing
Beeches (Fagus spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9)
Black oak (Quercus velutina, Z 4–8)
Buckeyes (Aesculus spp. and cvs., Z 3–9)
Cherries and plums (Prunus spp. and cvs., Z 3–9)
Dogwoods (Cornus spp. and cvs., Z 2–9)
Hemlocks (Tsuga spp. and cvs., Z 3–9)
Larches (Larix spp. and cvs., Z 1–8)
Lindens (Tilia spp. and cvs., Z 3–9)
Magnolias (Magnolia spp. and cvs., Z 3–9)
Pines (Pinus spp. and cvs., Z 3–10)
Red oaks (Quercus rubra and cvs., Z 5–9)
Scarlet oaks (Quercus coccinea and cvs., Z 5–9)
Sugar maples (Acer saccharum and cvs., Z 4–8)

Tolerates some disturbance
Hickories (Carya spp. and cvs., Z 4–9)
Hornbeams (Carpinus spp. and cvs., Z 3–9)
Ironwood (Ostrya virginiana, Z 5–9)
Redbuds (Cercis canadensis and cvs., Z 4–9)
Red maples (Acer rubrum and cvs., Z 3–9)
River birches (Betula nigra and cvs., Z 4–9)
Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum, Z 5–9)
Spruces (Picea spp. and cvs., Z 2–8)
Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor, Z 4–8)
Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis, Z 5–8)
White ashes (Fraxinus americana and cvs., Z 6–9)

Is easygoing about disturbance
Arborvitae (Thuja spp. and cvs., Z 2–9)
Crab apples (Malus spp. and cvs., Z 3–9)
Ginkgos (Ginkgo biloba and cvs., Z 5–9)
Hawthorns (Crataegus spp. and cvs., Z 4–9)
Honeylocusts (Gleditsia triacanthos and cvs., Z 3–7)
Kentucky coffee tree (Gymnocladus dioica, Z 5–9)
Pecan (Carya illinoinensis, Z 5–9)
Poplars (Populus spp. and cvs., Z 3–9)
Silver maples (Acer saccharinum and cvs., Z 4–9)
White oak (Quercus alba, Zones 5–9)
Willows (Salix spp. and cvs., Z 4–9)
When landscaping under mature trees, you will increase your chances of success by choosing plants that are suited to your site conditions. Here is a list of plants that can grow in the reduced light and moisture available under many trees.

Shrubs
1. Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus and cvs., Zones 5–9)
2. Cutleaf stephanandras (Stephanandra incisa and cvs., Z 3–8)
3. Ninebarks (Physocarpus opulifolius and cvs., Z 3–7)
4. Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus, Z 3–7)
5. Winterberries (Ilex verticillata and cvs., Z 5–8)

Perennials and grasses
6. Black snakeroot (Cimicifuga racemosa, Z 3–8)
7. Columbines (Aquilegia spp. and cvs., Z 3–8)
8. Foamflowers (Tiarella spp. and cvs., Z 3–9)
9. Japanese forest grasses (Hakonechloa macra and cvs., Z 5–9)
10. Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum, Z 5–8)
11. Lungworts (Pulmonaria spp. and cvs., Z 2–8)
12. Siberian irises (Iris spp. and cvs., Z 3–9)

https://www.thespruce.com/tips-for-p...-trees-4119908


Then it depends on whether you want year-round coverage or something seasonal like Irises

[luzianne]

Impatiens because they are simple to take care of and lots of color. Too bad they are annuals.

[Sun Belt-lover L.A.M.]

OP, what USDA Hardiness Zone and AHS Heat Zone are you in, and how mild are your winters? What I have to recommend depends strongly on those factors.

[Tzaphkiel]

i don't know about Kansas,
but we've had vinca major in shade

[writerwife]

Oh.. and ferns.

[WoundedSpirit]

Thank you all for your suggestions! I definitely want to plant a perennial (or two) for that area, something that flowers would be great. We have daffodils and iris on the side of the house that is in full sun, and we have containers in the back yard we use to plant peppers and tomatoes.

I am pretty sure that the two trees closest to the house are some sort of maple based on their leaves. We also have a ginormous cottonwood nearer to the street. I planted a lilac bush on the back corner, which was starting to do pretty well until my idiot brother-in-law mowed it down last fall. I sure hope it comes back.