Ideas for earth around tree?

[FenellaFerranti]

We have a mystery tree outside the house. It's just outside our front wall so I guess owned by the council but I've never seen anyone take an interest in the three years we've been here. It has a small patch of bare earth/weeds at the bottom in a semi-circle where it rises out of the pavement (prob about 3m at the widest point). I've got a few days off later this month and planned to tidy it up and plant some spring bulbs so it looks prettier but I'm a bit lost as to what else to do with it. I can't leave bare earth and it'll get covered in weeds, don't want to grass it as I don't want to take on regular upkeep (we have a big garden which is quite enough for me!) but it would be nice if it looked a bit loved year-round. Does anyone have any ideas for low-maintenance coverage for a small patch of earth?

[JT05]

Near us is a road that has an avenue of small trees. The residents plant spring bulbs and summer bedding around the bases. It looks lovely.

[JT05]

I should have added, the summer planting, cosmos, nasturtiums etc are left to go to seed over the winter and still look interesting.

[FenellaFerranti]

Oh that sounds lovely! Any idea what bedding plants they use? Ideally perennials so I don't have to re-plant each year and also quite low-level as I don't want something which will grow up and merge in with my shrubs on the other side of the wall!

[FenellaFerranti]

Ah I didn't see your second post - thank you!!