Planting under a willow - no light, water or food?!

[Purplepepsi]

We have a gorgeous twisted willow in the garden. I have managed to plant up one side of it with ferns, hucheras, and a few brunera and its starting to look good.

Directly around it I can't get anything to grow! Its just bare as the willow takes everything from the soil. Even weeds don't grow!!!

Can anyone suggest anything to try there?!

Thanks!

We have a big weeping willow and almost nothing grows under there. We have put down wood chippings and turned it into a play area for the kids. I'm not sure much will work - maybe dig out a pond and encourage wildlife into your garden?

I was thinking a pond too.

Cyclamen?

Thanks all.

I did just have bark under there till all the cats in the neighbourhood decided that meant it was a litter tray!

Garden sadly too small for a pond.

I'll look into cyclamen.

Pachysandra aka Green Carpet, I used to plant this under a conifer hedge I was unlucky enough to own and it grew like mad.