Hello,
I have an ant hill in a dry sunny spot of my garden that is not in the way. Having decided to live with it, I wonder if there are any plants, preferably natives, that will thrive on top.
Good for you to decide to share your garden with ants, which have several positive purposes in the garden. Here’s a good article from Fine Gardening that confirms your decision: https://www.finegardening.com/article/ants-arent-your-enemy
As for planting on the ant hill itself, disturbing it by digging a planting hole and destroying their tunnels may kill many of the ants and cause the others to relocate to another part of the garden.
My suggestion would be to plant a ground cover next to the hill, which can then spread over it. For example, Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), which spreads by runners, so could be pruned to the area required. It has small white flowers followed by edible berries. It provides food and shelter for many species as well as nectar and pollen for bees and butterflies. You will find pictures and more information on this plant here: http://ontariowildflowers.com/main/species.php?id=679
For a slightly taller look, you could plant Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) which is a low shrub with multiple stems. It has attractive flowers, berries and leaves, and provides a winter food source for wildlife. See pictures and more information here: http://ontariowildflowers.com/main/species.php?id=2138
For an evergreen option, you could plant Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) allowing it to spread over the hill. You can see pictures here: https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/juniperus/horizontalis/
I hope these suggestions help you and the ants to enjoy your garden together!
August 21, 2022