What to plant in new small bed under lilac tree

am creating a new small bed under and near a lilac tree, the area is covered in matt type fibrous roots from the lilac so have decided to put some large rocks in there then plant ground cover type plants that don’t need to be planted deeply.Sandy soil and some sun and a bit of shade there.Any suggestions?

 

Would it be possible to show us a picture? It would be so much easier to see and give you good advice

 

Thanks Black Dog, good idea I will post a pic when I have added a bit more space to the bed, as have decided to incorporate a small apple tree already in situ, but ground needs to warm up a bit first.

Another good idea ( rose) Armandii, in fact when I read that you had a climbing rose in a lilac, I did think of doing the same, or perhaps into the small apple tree.

 

You'll need to be very careful not to damage the roots of the Lilac when you plant, Oakapple. They sucker like mad when disturbed.

 

Also made the mistake myself of letting the compost I was adding around a lilac tree to be in contact with the trunk. I had intended to rake it away again after dumping a load from a wheelbarrow when the weather interrupted me. When I raked the mulch/compost away from the trunk a while later there were fresh buds starting to sprout through the mulch which would have made the tree multi-stemmed if I had not caught them in time and rubbed them off.

Once you have added a mulch at a distance from the trunk maybe Ajuga might be an option as a ground cover as I don't think it needs to be planted very deeply.

Happy gardening!

 

Thanks all for your replies

 

Don't get them too close together though. Even small apple trees can get quite large

 

I have an area of garden with some sun and shade and am thinking of planting three hydrangeas there, am wondering if it’s too early to buy and plant them, and is it better to buy bare rooted ( are they sold like that?) or wait until next month or later when they will be in the garden centres in pots.

 

Yes, thanks, I shall wait.
I think I need to wait for hostas as well ( haven’t seen any as yet) and think two or three will look good in the shade of a small apple tree I have incorporated into the bed.
Any recommendations?Ideally evergreen, or are they all evergreen?