Two of the most treasured natural areas are woodlands and wetlands. Known for their quiet, peaceful beauty, they’re definitely two natural-garden themes worth considering for your own back yard. And as long as you’ve got the space and the right plants, wetland and woodland gardens can work just about anywhere.
Don’t forget the understory in your woodland bower. Much of the beauty of a woodland garden comes from the foliage textures on the forest floor.
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Water features like ponds, streams and marshes add life to any natural garden.
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Ferns, like this Japanese lace variety, make for interesting shadows across a woodland floor.
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Woodland gardens, of course, also take a little patience – after all, it can take decades for some trees to reach maturity. But they’re definitely worth the wait. Forests are beautiful – offering something in every season – from the early spring blooms on the forest floor before the trees leaf out to the shade-tolerant shrubs, small trees, ferns, moss and wildflowers throughout the growing season.
As a theme, woodland gardens take many guises. Generally, woodlands boast a mixture of trees, rich soils and plenty of rainfall. To give your woodland bower a local flair, study the wooded areas in your neck of the woods. Forests vary greatly across the US, from the leafy woods of East to the evergreen forests of the Rockies to the temperate rain forests of the Pacific Northwest. Let these peaceful, natural woodland gardens inspire you to create a restful regional retreat of your own.
Remember, woodlands are characterized by their dappled, tree-cast shade. Plants are arranged in layers: an overstory of tall trees, an understory of small trees and medium-tall shrubs, and a bottom level of perennials and groundcovers. The overstory layer may be accented with vines and the understory layer enhanced by ferns that add a graceful character. And don’t forget the drifts of wildflowers that often bloom before trees leaf out.
Though all woodland gardens may have a similar feel, it’s the regional plants that make each different. A Southeastern woodland garden, for example, might contain native azaleas, dogwoods, plantain lilies and ferns; a Northeastern garden might feature serviceberries, redbuds and wake-robins; and a Pacific Northwestern garden might show off wild gingers, Oregon grapes, wood sorrels and Western sword ferns. The plants may differ, but all echo the native woods in an attempt to capture their magic.
And what better accent to your woodland garden than a stream, pond or marshy area? Just as water adds life to the forest, so it does your natural garden: Calm water is serene and restful, while rushing water is lively and exciting.
It’s fairly simple to construct a natural-looking wetland garden. A bog garden, for example, can be a great solution to an area with standing water. Moisture-loving plants can thrive where little else will grow. A stream, waterfall, pond or pool can be created where a natural spring already exists, or a water feature can be fabricated from scratch, using a recirculating pump and specialized liners readily available at many home-and-garden stores. A pool or pond creates an opportunity for specialized plants. Submerged aquatics and moisture-loving shoreline plants flourish in and around water features, providing a rich habitat for wildlife.
Choose an appropriate location when planning a spontaneous-looking wetland garden. A low spot or depression is an ideal place for a pond. Use local materials to blend the feature’s edges into the landscape. Stone is a natural complement to water, and it looks as expected lining a shore as it does scattered about in large collections in the middle of a pond. Don’t forget to integrate your water feature into the rest of your garden by planting the banks or shores.
When it comes to plantings, again turn to inspiration from Mother Nature. Take your camera with you on your hikes, and bring those pictures with you when you head to the garden center. (Try to find one with a specialty in water-loving plants.) Explain your project, and don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions. Whether you’re considering a fern-filled glade with a rushing stream, a contemplative pool or a flat, serene pond with lush, vertical plants, it should be possible in nearly any region.
Woodland gardens and wetlands are truly wonderful ways to re-create some of nature’s most beautiful artwork. Your only limits are your space, patience and willingness to dig in the dirt.
