That old tree stump in your yard might have been sitting there for months, maybe even years, getting in the way of your lawnmower and making the whole space look kind of forgotten. You’ve thought about removing it, but that sounds like a hassle. What if you could turn it into something beautiful instead? With the right plants, that stump can go from an eyesore to the most charming part of your yard. Whether your stump sits in full sun or deep shade, this list has options that suit your lighting conditions—so you can pick the perfect plants to thrive and transform that tired spot into something special!
1. Petunia
Petunias are colorful, cheerful flowers that thrive in full sun and can easily be planted around or on top of a tree stump. They come in a wide range of vibrant colors and bloom from spring through fall. These annuals work beautifully in containers or directly in soil-filled stump hollows. Petunias also attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. Their trailing varieties can spill down the sides of a stump, softening its edges and adding seasonal beauty.
2. Ferns
Ferns add a soft, wild touch to stumps in shady gardens, making them feel like part of a peaceful forest. They thrive in cool, damp spots and bring graceful texture with their feather-like fronds. Try varieties like lady ferns, ostrich ferns, or maidenhair ferns for delicate, lacy appeal. These plants multiply over time and need little care once they settle in. They're a great pick for adding natural beauty to shady stump areas.
3. Wood Sorrel
Wood sorrel is a charming groundcover with clover-like leaves and delicate yellow, white, or pink flowers. It thrives in partial to full shade, making it great for areas under trees or over stumps. Its foliage folds up at night or during harsh sun, adding a whimsical, responsive touch to the garden. You can plant wood sorrel directly over a tree stump, where it will spread naturally and help fill in space while softening the appearance of rough wood. It’s also known for being low-maintenance and quick to settle in once planted.
4. Daffodils
Daffodils are classic spring bulbs that bring cheerful yellow or white blooms early in the season. They grow well in full sun or light shade, making them a good option around tree stumps. You can plant them in the soil surrounding the stump or even in pockets of soil built up on top. As they bloom, they’ll brighten the space and draw eyes away from the rough wood. Daffodils also naturalize easily, meaning they’ll return and multiply each year with little effort.
5. Geraniums
Geraniums are reliable bloomers with bright, cheerful flowers that thrive in sunny spots. They can be planted directly on a tree stump for a splash of color that lasts all season. Geraniums also tolerate heat and light drought, making them a smart pick for tough spaces. These vibrant flowers bloom for months and help draw attention away from unsightly wood. Geraniums are also drought-tolerant and attract pollinators, making them both practical and beautiful.
6. Impatiens
Impatiens are shade-loving annuals with blooms in pink, red, white, and purple. They’re perfect for planting over or around tree stumps in low-light areas where other flowers might struggle. Impatiens grow in neat, colorful mounds and bloom continuously throughout the season. You can plant them directly into soil-filled cavities or around the base of a stump. For extra variety and texture, consider mixing them with ferns or other shade-friendly plants nearby.
7. Wishbone Flower
Wishbone flower, also known as Torenia, is a cheerful annual that thrives in shady and partially shaded areas. Its trumpet-shaped blooms come in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white, making it a colorful choice for softening a tree stump’s appearance. You can plant it directly around or on top of a stump where soil has been added. It grows well in moist, rich soil and will attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds.
8. Marigolds
For quick color and an easy gardening win, plant marigolds in or around a tree stump. These sunny annuals bloom in rich shades of yellow, orange, and red, adding brightness all summer long. They’re especially helpful for filling in gaps and drawing attention away from rough wood. Marigolds are low-maintenance and grow well in full sun, even in less-than-perfect soil. Best of all, they’re easy to replant each year and can help deter garden pests while they beautify your space.
9. Campanula (Bellflower)
Campanula has lovely bell-shaped flowers that come in blue, white, or purple. This charming perennial thrives in partial sun and adds a soft, cottage-style feel to the garden. It works well when planted directly around the base of a stump or even directly into the soil on top of the stump itself. Campanula blooms from late spring into summer, attracting bees and other pollinators.
10. Moss
If your stump is in a shady, moist area, moss can cover it naturally and create a serene, woodland look. Moss requires no mowing, is very low-maintenance, and blends seamlessly into forest-style gardens. To add moss manually, blend a handful of moss with a bit of buttermilk or yogurt and paint the mixture onto the stump surface. Keep the area moist until it takes root and spreads. Over time, the moss will grow and cover the wood, adding a magical touch.
11. Blue Daze
Blue Daze, also known as Evolvulus, is a beautiful groundcover that produces striking sky-blue flowers with silvery-green foliage. It loves full sun and well-drained soil, making it a perfect choice for planting directly over a tree stump in a sunny location. The blooms open in the morning and close by evening, adding gentle movement and charm throughout the day. Blue Daze is heat-tolerant, low-maintenance, and grows in soft mounds that spread naturally.
12. Purslane
Purslane is a heat-loving succulent that produces vibrant, jewel-toned blooms and thick, fleshy leaves. It grows low to the ground and thrives in full sun, making it a great candidate for planting directly on or around a sunny tree stump. Its spreading habit helps fill in space and enhance the natural texture of the wood. Purslane is drought-tolerant and blooms continuously through the summer months. Even when not in bloom, its succulent foliage adds visual interest and structure. For a bright, playful display, try combining purslane with pansies and petunias to mix textures and colors in the landscape.
13. Purple Coral Pea
Purple Coral Pea, also known as Hardenbergia, is a fast-growing climber that bursts into vibrant purple blooms in late winter to spring. It’s well-suited for covering tree stumps, especially if you're looking for a trailing or cascading effect. You can plant it at the base of the stump and allow it to spill over the sides for a lush, colorful look. This hardy plant prefers sunny to lightly shaded areas and thrives in well-drained soil. Its twining vines and rich color can transform an old stump into a striking garden focal point.
14. Biden
Biden is a bright and cheery flowering plant that produces golden yellow blooms resembling small daisies. Some varieties also come in striking orange and pink, offering even more color options for your garden. It thrives in full sun and is heat-tolerant, making it ideal for planting directly on or around a sunny tree stump. Biden blooms from spring through fall and is loved by pollinators, especially bees and butterflies.
15. Lamb's Ear
Lamb's Ear is a soft, silvery-leaved perennial that adds a unique texture to stump plantings. Its fuzzy foliage spreads easily and grows well in sunny to lightly shaded areas. You can plant Lamb's Ear directly over a tree stump or around its base for a soft, mounding effect. It’s drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, making it a great choice for tough spots. For a beautiful contrast in texture and color, pair it with golden moss sedum and creeping phlox.
16. Coreopsis (Tickseed)
Coreopsis, also known as tickseed, is a sun-loving perennial that produces cheerful daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, red, and orange. It’s perfect for planting directly on or around a tree stump, where its bright blooms can create a sunny focal point in your garden. Coreopsis is drought-tolerant and attracts butterflies, making it both practical and pollinator-friendly. For a lively combination, plant marigolds alongside tickseed to add even more color and charm over the stump. Together, they form a vibrant and low-maintenance display.
17. Lobelia
Lobelia is a delicate-looking but resilient flowering plant that adds cool-toned charm to any garden. With blooms in shades of blue, purple, or white, it’s perfect for softening the edges of a tree stump. Lobelia grows well in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-draining soil. You can plant it directly over or around a stump where it will form a low, colorful mat of flowers.
18. Creeping Thyme
Creeping thyme is a fragrant, sun-loving groundcover that forms a dense mat of tiny leaves and flowers. It’s beautiful whether flowering or not, with its soft texture and lovely green or grayish foliage. You can plant it directly on or around a tree stump where it will spread naturally, filling gaps and softening hard edges. Creeping thyme is drought-tolerant, low-growing, and releases a pleasant scent when walked on or brushed. It also attracts pollinators and pairs well with stones or other sun-friendly plants.
19. Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny is a vibrant, trailing groundcover with golden or chartreuse leaves that bring brightness to shaded or sunny areas. It’s perfect for planting directly over or around a tree stump, where its low-growing vines can spill over the sides and soften rough edges. This hardy plant spreads quickly and is great for filling in gaps or adding a cascading effect in layered plantings. Creeping Jenny pairs beautifully with other groundcovers or flowering plants, and it looks especially stunning when combined with the silvery trailing foliage of Silver Falls Dichondra.
20. Garden Mum
Garden mums are fall favorites with bold blooms in yellow, orange, purple, and red. While they thrive in full sun, they can also tolerate partial shade, making them flexible for various garden spots. These cheerful plants can be planted directly over a tree stump to add vibrant seasonal color. For a different approach, try placing them in a planter, then setting the pot right on top of the stump. This method makes it easier to control soil quality and swap them out with other plants as the seasons change. Mums bloom late in the year, so they brighten the garden just as summer flowers begin to fade.
How to Tell If Your Tree Stump Can Be Turned Into a Planter
Not all tree stumps are ideal for planting, so it's important to evaluate a few key factors before turning yours into a planter. The stump should be large enough to hold a decent amount of soil and have a reasonably solid core. If it's too decayed, it may fall apart quickly and won’t provide the support plants need. Hardwoods like oak or maple are sturdier and longer-lasting than softwoods. Size matters too—a large stump gives more room for planting but is harder to hollow out, while smaller stumps are easier to manage. If you're up for the task, carving out a planting cavity using a chisel, axe, or drill can give you a natural container. Just remember to add drainage holes to avoid water buildup inside the stump. With these considerations in mind, you can decide if your stump is ready to become a charming and functional planter.
Planting options : What Works Best for Your Tree Stump?
Planting over a tree stump is a clever way to turn an eyesore into a garden highlight, especially with cascading or container plants. It offers flexibility and is ideal for compact spaces, but water can drain quickly and may require more upkeep. If planting directly isn’t practical, try setting a pot or planter on top like the Garden Mum example. You can also plant directly in the soil around the stump, but be aware that existing roots might compete for water and nutrients. Choosing tough, drought- or shade-tolerant plants and enriching the soil with compost can help your garden thrive.
Marigold Border Around the Stump
Planting around a tree stump is a great option when the surface is too tough or uneven to plant directly on top. It keeps the stump intact while drawing attention outward with a border of blooms. In this picture, yellow marigolds are used to form a cheerful ring that contrasts with the stump's rough texture.
A Mixed Garden Bed Around the Stump
Planting around a stump instead of over it allows for more root space and easier access to established soil. In this vibrant example, a mix of marigolds, Madagascar periwinkle, zinnias, vinca, and celosia surrounds the stump for a full, colorful display. Taller plants like zinnias can be placed in the back while shorter ones like marigolds edge the front.
From Stump to Statement: Make the Most of Your Garden's Hidden Potential
Beautifying a tree stump offers many possibilities, but success starts with choosing the right plants and planting method. Whether you plant over the stump, use a container, or surround it with blooms, always consider the stump’s condition and your garden’s environment. Pick plants that are not just visually appealing but also practical for your space and easy to maintain in the long run. A thoughtful choice now will ensure a healthier, more beautiful garden for seasons to come.