Plants Under Black Walnut Trees

It is often difficult to garden successfully under the canopy of Juglans nigra, black walnut trees. The roots of the tree secrete a toxic substance that most plants will not tolerate. The plants on this list are reputed to be immune to these toxic effects. Conditions under different black walnut trees may vary, so it is wise to experiment with small plantings first and gauge tolerances before beginning large-scale plantings.

TREES

JAPANESE MAPLE Acer palmatum
EUROPEAN BEECH Fagus sylvatica
GOLDEN RAIN TREE Koelreuteria paniculata
CANADIAN HEMLOCK Tsuga candensis

SHRUBS

LILAC Syringa spp.
FORSYTHIA Forsythia spp.
BOXWOOD Buxux spp.
PRIVET Ligustrum
ROSE OF SHARON Hibiscus syriacus

PERENNIALS

ASTILBE Astilb spp.
CAMPNULA Campanula
HARDY GERANIUM Geranium spp.
HOSTA Hosta spp.
SIBERIAN IRIS Iris siberica
FERNS Polystichum, Dryopteris
BEEBALM Monarda spp.
SOLOMON’S SEAL Polygonatum
SPIDERWORT Tradescantia spp.
STONECROP Sedum spp.
VIOLET Viola spp

VINES

CLEMATIS Clematis spp.
VIRGINIA CREEPER Parthenocissus tricuspidata
WISTERIA Wisteria sinensis