Hi there!

I think I have already forwarded the idea of integrating early bloomers that go dormant in summer, but in case I forgot, here it comes again:

Allium ursinum makes thick carpets blooming in spring and then vanish (leaving a lovely garlic smell) on calcareous undergrounds.

Ficaria verna, Corydalis cava, Anemone species, all these guys that pop out the ground, flourish in early spring and then vanish once the canopy is thick.

The only issue is that these species do not like compaction. They are adapted to a life with leaf litter. If an orchard keeper would attempt to establish forest like soil microbiology they probably are a part of the puzzle feeding soil microbes before the trees get really active. No maintenance needed.

In case of Allium ursinum you can market even the leaves as pesto.,,

Warmer climates would need other creeping forest floor species.

Best H