Any ideas what to do under tree?

[stripyeyes]

We've recently removed a large, overgrown raised bed thing from the edge of our garden and plan to level lawn it. But around the base of this magnolia the roots prevent us levelling it. Any ideas on what we can do? I'd rather not fill the whole area with rocks. Should we remove the weed control fabric and leave it as soil? What plants would grow under there? Thanks!

I have Solomon’s seal underneath my magnolia. Grows well in the semi shade of the tree.

I’d put the good old grow anywhere staple, crainsbill geraniums. Lots of flowers from spring to summer.

yes geraniums and I imagine spring bulbs would do well too.

We're planting under a tree and planning on birth month flowers of our family, which will give us year round interest.

Might be too dry for spring bulbs but hardy cyclamen are OK in dryish soil.

Thanks everyone! Lots of ideas to think about and try!

I second cyclamen, they evolved under trees so thrive in dry shade and spread nicely too. Flower in autumn/winter and leaves appear afterwards so you get nice flowers then a carpet of green marbled leaves.

Ooh yes, love cyclamen, and they flower when the tree has started to look it's dullest. Coum will flower in winter, hederifolia earlier (august/sept)

We've got crocuses and daffodils and primroses under our magnolia, and I forget what else comes out later. Gets shadier in the summer when everything's in leaf.

Be very careful not to damage the roots - as you can see they grown horizontally and near the surface. If that area is quite small ( it looks about 1m diameter ) then just dig some tiny holes , plant some small spring bulbs in the autumn and cover with chipped bark.

I mean tiny bulbs like crocus, snowdrops, cyclamen as PP suggested.