Need irrigation round trees

[FJT]

I have a small patch of small, mixed, deciduous trees at the far end of my garden, and would like some colourful ground coverage, but everything I plant dies, even shade loving plants. Although we have a reasonable amount of rain, the soil is quite dry most of the time, so is there an way I can get irrigation in there without harming the tree roots?

[betty]

Means the sun are too strong? Or maybe the soil you have there is not suitable for your plant to grow..? Or any toxic or chemical elements in the soil? I have no idea..

[FJT]

I thought it might have been a problem with the soil, but I've tried using the soil to grow pot plants, and had no problems. I've added manure etc, but like I said, it's always so dry, and I think maybe the trees are draining all the water away.