At the base of a maple tree, you can plant a range of perennials that will look great and also provide protection for your maple tree. Consider planting hostas, which come in many different varieties and are attractive all year round. Other options include ferns, astilbes and heucheras—these plants come in various sizes, colors and textures to add interest and texture to your garden bed. If you're looking for ground cover around the base of your tree, consider spreading mulch or bark chips as well as low-growing evergreen shrubs such as juniper or boxwood that can help keep weeds at bay while providing additional texture to the surrounding landscape.