[Janet Atkins]

What is it about pine trees that nothing will grow under or around them? I have three kind of scraggily pine trees in the fron yard, and I want to plant other things. What can I use to replenish the soil so that I can have a garden out there? I live in zone 24 on the western garden map. (that is San Diego California.) So far the only thing that I have been successful in growing around the trees are succulents and catus. I don't own the property so cutting them down is not an option. I manage the building and keep up the outside. I love to garden. Will someone please tell me if I can grow anything out there PLEASE! Thank you in advance.

[RubyPitbull]

The only thing that will really flourish under those conditions are the succulents and cactus.

You could try adding soil and planting hostas. Take a look in your local garden supply store. They usually carry the plants that do well in your region. Speak to the owner/manager about your problem, and ask them what they recommend that will flourish in the shade of the pines.

Whenever I have a problem like that or want to find something out of the norm, that is what I always do. I go around to all the nurseries and see what they have. Every season they get in different items. Some years there can be a shortage or abundance of certain plants. I plant items so that I have flowers from spring through the fall. I just stop in once or twice a month starting in the springtime. You can create a very lovely effect of plants that flower in May, June, July,. if you do this. There are quite a variety of hostas out there with different flowers. The great thing about them is that they require very little attention.

We have a couple of people on this forum that are very knowledgeable about plants. I am sure they will stop by over the course of the next few days to give you their opinions as well.