Can I plant pachysandra under my rhodies? What about pansies under rhododendrons?

J.B., Bellevue MB: I would say no to the aggressive packysandra ground cover and yes to the polite pansies. Planting in the petticoat zone or under the skirts of mature rhododendrons is a fun way to add more color to yards with grown-up shrubs. Thirsty evergreen ground covers like pachysandra will compete with the shrubs for water in the fall.

Autumn is the time of year when rhododendrons need plenty of moisture to set flower buds for the spring. Plants with delicate roots, such as pansies, primroses and forget-me-nots that are dormant in the fall, make the best partners for planting in the petticoat zone. Add plants just to the outer drip line of the shrubs, the line just inside the overhang of the branches.

Rhododendrons have very shallow roots, so an overly aggressive marriage partner can be suffocating. Marianne Binetti, an Enumclaw writer, is the author of several garden books. Her latest are "Easy Answers for Great Gardens" and "Perennials for Washington and Oregon".

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