Willow tree base – Reddit Post

Hey everyone! This is my first time posting, i have a big beautiful willow in my front yard and the last couple seasons, ive wanted to bed flowers all the way around the tree to bring some more colour to my yard.

I took my rottotiler and tilled all around it and now im just trying to figure out the best flowers i can plant. Im in southwestern ontario, sandy loam soil.

All suggestions would be greatly appreciated. At first i wanted to do a bed of lavender all around but because of the shade i dont believe it wouldve been a great idea so ive been kinda looking at hydrangeas