What success have you had with spruces? 

We're in zone 5/4 and have mature spruces.  There is quite a lot of sun on the southern edge, and deep shade under the trees and to the north.  Blueberries survived, but were nibbled to the ground by rabbits; more plants would probably reduce the damage.  My husband has routed rainwater from the roof to the area, but the soil is still hard and dry. 

Would this be a good place to try hugelkulture with yew shrub prunings?  Would it be quicker, and what do you think of using raised beds?

What do you think of high bush blueberry, low bush blueberry and lingonberry? 

If we go with the hugelkulture, how much longer would it take?

Thank you so much for your advice.

don't shoot me, ....aegopodium...

it will grow in the duff under the evergreens and it is edible, but it is invasive..i also have columbines, lily of the valley growing under spruce..I'm zone 4/5

I have comfrey, feverfew, and the wild edible green, nipplewort, growing under a blue spruce in my yard.

Pamela Melcher

Information about nipplewort:

http://www.arthurleej.com/a-nipplewort.html

I hope this helps.

Pamela Melcher

hegels are perfect rabbit houses. they like to dig into them

Also, although I do not think this is what you are looking for: English ivy, which does at least do a good job of clearing up air pollution. And it is invasive and it crowds out everything else.

Again I do not think this is what you are looking for, but we have photinia growing happily under, and from there, bending to the side of, a large spruce tree.

Which means that it is not true to say that nothing grows under spruce trees.

Hope this is of some help.

Pamela Melcher