Creating a Woodland Garden

by Sharon Anderson
culinary herbs          Photo by Richard Bloom


What is a Woodland Garden?
It is a garden or area of garden that has a wilder look (less formal) and more natural appearance. It usually includes large trees with layers of vegetation below. Peaceful, rustic & quiet with dappled sunlight & lots of shades of green. There are many benefits to this type of garden:
  • Low maintenance
  • Attracts wildlife/insects & full of birdsong
  • Native species fit in well
  • Reduces noise, pollution and moderates temperature
  • Pathways and nature trails fit in nicely
The Layers:
  • Top layer is the tree canopy – low hanging branches can be trimmed to allow in more light
  • Understory includes smaller trees & shrubs
  • Ground Cover can be filled with native plants, wildflowers & perennials with contrasting leaf shapes & colors
How to Get Started:
  • The most important factors are soil and shade
  • Take a soil test in several spots
  • Remove weeds but leave rich leaf mold and add compost to improve soil
  • Create vertical structure with a framework of trees, plan pathways to protect plants & add interest – meandering & narrow
  • Add smaller trees, shrubs, plants & vines – limb up larger shrubs & underplant with herbaceous material – then mulch
  • Create horizontal structure with planting beds: use color, texture & natural curves – rock walls in low areas for edging, fill with leaf compost & extra topsoil to raise bed
  • Added elements: water feature, bird feeder or nesting boxes, gateway or boundaries, focal point, frame view from house into garden, forest garden

Resources
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/.../woodland-backyard-garden.../
https://hgic.clemson.edu/woodland-garden/
https://www.finegardening.com/article/a-woodlandgardendesign





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