Woodland Gardens With Native Plants

Woodland gardens come in many shapes and sizes.  They are a peaceful place to sit in dappled shade during the hot summer and under bare branches in the winter.  Here are some things to think about when designing your woodland garden. 

Paths 

Woodland soil is easily compacted and damaged.  Fragile plants cannot handle traffic without being crushed and killed.  When designing your garden, include paths so you can get around the garden without harming it.  A path of hardwood chips doesn’t change the pH of the soil and is easily removed if you want to make changes to the layout of your garden.  Hardwood chips are inexpensive and add organic content to the garden as they decompose. 

Seating 

A bench or even a stump gives you a nice place to enjoy your woodland garden.  Design your garden to include a quiet place to sit and dream, work, or watch the squirrels.  Garden centers carry benches and chairs for use outdoors.  You can even find just the right chair at estate sales or thrift stores. 

Water Source 

Water is life to wildlife.  Including a stream or fountain in your woodland garden is easy.  There are solar pumps and low voltage pumps that can circulate water to form whatever water feature you design.  It is important that the water moves so mosquitoes cannot lay eggs on it.  It won’t take long until the water is used by frogs, toads, birds, pollinators, and small animals, giving you endless hours of enjoyment watching them. 

Prepare Soil 

Preparing the soil is very important to the success of your woodland garden.  Dig to loosen the soil down to about six inches, being careful not to damage the roots of existing trees.  Mix in three inches of compost into the soil.  This aerates the soil and makes it able to absorb more water when it rains. 

Irrigation 

You will need to irrigate your woodland garden.  The soil in woodlands is moist and cool.  Be sure not to overwater the trees in the garden such as oaks, which prefer less water.  Don’t irrigate closer to fifteen feet of an oak tree or the roots can get fungal diseases. 

Layers of Plants 

Woodland gardens are composed of layers of plants.  These layers start tall and go right down to ground covers. 

Tall Trees 

First, look at your property.  Do you have large, mature trees?  They can serve as the top layer of a woodland garden.  If you do not have any trees, plan to pick a tall tree to be the top layer of the garden.  Oak trees such as white oaks or live oaks will grow to shade an entire yard.  

Medium and Small Trees 

Next are the understory trees.  These trees tend to top out at 25-50 feet.  There are a host of lovely understory trees, but my favorite is the white dogwood.  It can grow 15-25 feet tall and spread 20-25 feet.  Dogwoods like acidic soil.   

Shrubs 

Choose shrubs that will grow in partial shade.  Elderberry is a nice shrub that produces fruit that animals, birds, and humans enjoy.   

Perennials and Ferns 

Perennials and ferns make the next story.  The maidenhead fern is a beautiful fern that is native to North America.  The lacy fronds add elegance to a space.  Perennials such as painted trillium have vibrant white flowers with red accents look wonderful in a woodland garden. 

Ground Covers 

The floor of a woodland is covered with small plants like periwinkle plants.  They have pretty pale violet and blue flowers.  Wild geranium is another pretty flower that will cover the ground.  Lily of the valley is another nice ground cover, with delicate white bells.  Ground covers help keep the ground cool and moist for other plants.   

Spring Ephemerals 

Spring ephemerals are a special category of plants that grow and have their flowers before the deciduous trees put out leaves.  The flowers fade fast and the plants are low and sometimes unremarkable the rest of the year.  Virginia bluebells are an example of this type of plant. 

We Can Help 

The plants mentioned in this article are examples.  The native plants where you are may be different.  If you want to design and install a woodland garden, our staff at TN Nursery can help you find plants from your area to fill all the layers of your garden.  Just call us at 931.692.7325 to start your woodland garden. 

Elderberry Bush - TN Nursery

Elderberry

The Elderberry bush is a medium-sized shrub with opposite compound leaves and clusters of tiny, creamy-white or pale pink flowers, followed by dark purple-black berries arranged in umbrella-like clusters. It is a versatile and beneficial plant used in landscaping. This deciduous shrub offers many advantages with its attractive foliage, beautiful blooms, and fruits. Elderberry Bush Can Look Like A Shrub Or A Tree Deciduous elderberry shrubs can range in size from little trees to shrubs with several trunks. One type has tiny white blooms with five lobes, five stamens, and a tri-style ovary. Another type is yellowish-white and has five flattened petals. They thrive in partially shaded, damp places like meadows, marshes, forest borders, ditches, thickets, and floodplains. Typically, the most fertile canes have developed lateral branches by the second year. After the fourth year of growth, you can trim off the older canes since they become much less productive. Increase Pollination With Elderberry Bush Elderberry Bushes are great pollinator magnets due to the abundance of nectar in their vast, flat, shallow blossoms. Moths, beetles, flies, butterflies, and beetles are some pollinating insects that visit these blooms. They continuously provide nectar and pollen for bees throughout the growing season. When planted in clusters around an orchard, they will attract more pollinators. Even though they produce fruit on their own, they often experience an increase in yield when cross-pollination occurs. Because of their thick growth and ability to produce new branches yearly from the base, they are excellent for screening off unwanted views. Furthermore, they can aggregate into thick masses, which makes them perfect for creating natural landscapes. Their dense foliage can also provide wind protection. Planting them along driveways or fence rows is an excellent way to enjoy their seclusion. Add Wildlife Nutrition With TN Nursery Plant Elderberry Bush Elderberry Bush provides unparalleled natural habitats and food sources. Their aromatic blossoms encourage pollinators like bees and butterflies to visit the garden, which is good for biodiversity. They are essential to a healthy ecosystem since they provide a source for birds and small animals like moose, foxes, bears, mice, and deer.

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Elderberry Bush - TN Nursery

Elderberry

The Elderberry bush is a medium-sized shrub with opposite compound leaves and clusters of tiny, creamy-white or pale pink flowers, followed by dark purple-black berries arranged in umbrella-like clusters. It is a versatile and beneficial plant used in landscaping. This deciduous shrub offers many advantages with its attractive foliage, beautiful blooms, and fruits. Elderberry Bush Can Look Like A Shrub Or A Tree Deciduous elderberry shrubs can range in size from little trees to shrubs with several trunks. One type has tiny white blooms with five lobes, five stamens, and a tri-style ovary. Another type is yellowish-white and has five flattened petals. They thrive in partially shaded, damp places like meadows, marshes, forest borders, ditches, thickets, and floodplains. Typically, the most fertile canes have developed lateral branches by the second year. After the fourth year of growth, you can trim off the older canes since they become much less productive. Increase Pollination With Elderberry Bush Elderberry Bushes are great pollinator magnets due to the abundance of nectar in their vast, flat, shallow blossoms. Moths, beetles, flies, butterflies, and beetles are some pollinating insects that visit these blooms. They continuously provide nectar and pollen for bees throughout the growing season. When planted in clusters around an orchard, they will attract more pollinators. Even though they produce fruit on their own, they often experience an increase in yield when cross-pollination occurs. Because of their thick growth and ability to produce new branches yearly from the base, they are excellent for screening off unwanted views. Furthermore, they can aggregate into thick masses, which makes them perfect for creating natural landscapes. Their dense foliage can also provide wind protection. Planting them along driveways or fence rows is an excellent way to enjoy their seclusion. Add Wildlife Nutrition With TN Nursery Plant Elderberry Bush Elderberry Bush provides unparalleled natural habitats and food sources. Their aromatic blossoms encourage pollinators like bees and butterflies to visit the garden, which is good for biodiversity. They are essential to a healthy ecosystem since they provide a source for birds and small animals like moose, foxes, bears, mice, and deer.

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Painted Trillium - TN Nursery

Painted Trillium

Painted Trillium is a woodland wildflower with showy, white, or pinkish petals adorned with maroon or red streaks at the base. It is typically found in moist, forested areas and prized for its striking appearance. They are delicate and enchanting wildflowers that offer a range of benefits when thoughtfully integrated into landscaping designs. Its beauty, contributions to biodiversity, potential for naturalizing, woodland charm, and ability to create unique garden space. Painted trillium is common in eastern North America, specifically the Adirondack Mountains, which spans northeastern New York. It's a wildflower known for its red center and delicate white petals. Its botanical name is Undulatum, but gardeners commonly refer to it as the striped and smiling wake robin. It's also sometimes referred to as a painted lady because it starts to bloom just as the butterflies come out in the spring. This wildflower is a member of the Lilly family. Identifying The Painted Trillium The smiling wake robin is considered a flower of the Adirondack Mountains. They can be identified by their pink or red center and red stripes that follow the veins of their three white flower petals. It also has three green or blueish-green leaves, which is how it acquired the prefix 'tri' in its botanical name. Gardeners can expect this wildflower to grow up to 20 inches tall. The single flower that blooms from late spring to midsummer is about two inches wide with wavy, tapering petals. Gardeners can expect new plants to develop these flowers within four to seven years. How To Landscaping With Painted Trillium The Landscaping with the smiling wake robin is ideal for shade and pollinator gardens and areas with little to no direct sunlight. It is also suitable for adding color to areas under trees and around shrubs and bushes. Add Painted Trillium To Your Pollinator Garden If your gardening goal is to create a lovely pollinator garden, you can't go wrong with the smiling wake robin. This wildflower is known to attract bumble and honey bees, who forage for the pollen from the flowers. Smiling wake robins thrive next to other shade-loving plants. These include Christmas ferns, lady ferns, bleeding hearts, hostas, daffodils, snowdrops, Virginia bluebells, and the woodland phlox. Gardeners can enjoy the Painted Trillium in their shade gardens. They can also use it to add color to areas generally devoid of defined plant life, like under tall trees and shrubs, to create focal points.

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Painted Trillium - TN Nursery

Painted Trillium

Painted Trillium is a woodland wildflower with showy, white, or pinkish petals adorned with maroon or red streaks at the base. It is typically found in moist, forested areas and prized for its striking appearance. They are delicate and enchanting wildflowers that offer a range of benefits when thoughtfully integrated into landscaping designs. Its beauty, contributions to biodiversity, potential for naturalizing, woodland charm, and ability to create unique garden space. Painted trillium is common in eastern North America, specifically the Adirondack Mountains, which spans northeastern New York. It's a wildflower known for its red center and delicate white petals. Its botanical name is Undulatum, but gardeners commonly refer to it as the striped and smiling wake robin. It's also sometimes referred to as a painted lady because it starts to bloom just as the butterflies come out in the spring. This wildflower is a member of the Lilly family. Identifying The Painted Trillium The smiling wake robin is considered a flower of the Adirondack Mountains. They can be identified by their pink or red center and red stripes that follow the veins of their three white flower petals. It also has three green or blueish-green leaves, which is how it acquired the prefix 'tri' in its botanical name. Gardeners can expect this wildflower to grow up to 20 inches tall. The single flower that blooms from late spring to midsummer is about two inches wide with wavy, tapering petals. Gardeners can expect new plants to develop these flowers within four to seven years. How To Landscaping With Painted Trillium The Landscaping with the smiling wake robin is ideal for shade and pollinator gardens and areas with little to no direct sunlight. It is also suitable for adding color to areas under trees and around shrubs and bushes. Add Painted Trillium To Your Pollinator Garden If your gardening goal is to create a lovely pollinator garden, you can't go wrong with the smiling wake robin. This wildflower is known to attract bumble and honey bees, who forage for the pollen from the flowers. Smiling wake robins thrive next to other shade-loving plants. These include Christmas ferns, lady ferns, bleeding hearts, hostas, daffodils, snowdrops, Virginia bluebells, and the woodland phlox. Gardeners can enjoy the Painted Trillium in their shade gardens. They can also use it to add color to areas generally devoid of defined plant life, like under tall trees and shrubs, to create focal points.

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Lily Of The Valley - TN Nursery

Lily Of The Valley

Lily Of The Valley is a delicate perennial plant with nodding, bell-shaped white flowers and fragrant, sword-shaped leaves. It creates a charming ground cover in shaded garden areas and offers various benefits when integrated into landscaping designs. Its graceful appearance, sweet fragrance, adaptability, and contributions to outdoor spaces' visual and sensory aspects make it a prized addition to gardens. Lily Of The Valley is a classic. It is associated with purity, virtue, humility, and compassion. The proper scientific name is Convallaria majalishe, and the plant is related to good fortune, joy, hopefulness, happiness, prosperity, and blessings. The herbaceous perennials begin to bloom in mid-May and continue to maintain a delightfully fragrant display until summer officially arrives in mid-June. With its exquisitely tiny bell-shaped, ornamental flowers, the shrub has a low-key and understated beauty. Rather than a profuse explosion of showy blossoms, these plants have a quietly powerful presence. They can grow almost anywhere, whether in a valley or not. Slim curving stems give expression to glossy, deep green leaves that gently cradle sweet clusters of delicate, refined flowers. Each bell-shaped blossom hangs from a stem like a precious ornament, while the captivating scent delights the senses. The Symbolic Significance Of Lily Of The Valley They are associated with May Day. They symbolize a beautiful awakening after a long winter of darkness and hardship. The airy little flowers refresh the weary soul and promise a return to happiness and new hope. When the pretty white bells burst into view, they remind us that warm summers always follow dark winters with their alluring fragrance. Lily Of The Valley Is Used In Perfumes  When the alluring fragrance of them was converted to perfume and cologne in 1954, it inspired a line of products. Then, in 1956, Dior marketed it under the name Diorissimo. It was an instant hit for men and women alike. The lily was Dior's favorite flower and his lucky charm. The Unique Attributes Of Lily Of The Valley Lily Of The Valley can produce a thick carpet of ground cover while filling the air with a captivating scent. The deep green leaves make fabulous bouquets and cut flowers. With their curving stems, the plants can produce up to 12 tiny flowers with up to six tiny petals. The clusters are often included in bridal bouquets. Some bouquets consist entirely of them. The engaging blooms make a lovely statement when used to adorn wrapped gifts for weddings and showers.

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Lily Of The Valley - TN Nursery

Lily Of The Valley

Lily Of The Valley is a delicate perennial plant with nodding, bell-shaped white flowers and fragrant, sword-shaped leaves. It creates a charming ground cover in shaded garden areas and offers various benefits when integrated into landscaping designs. Its graceful appearance, sweet fragrance, adaptability, and contributions to outdoor spaces' visual and sensory aspects make it a prized addition to gardens. Lily Of The Valley is a classic. It is associated with purity, virtue, humility, and compassion. The proper scientific name is Convallaria majalishe, and the plant is related to good fortune, joy, hopefulness, happiness, prosperity, and blessings. The herbaceous perennials begin to bloom in mid-May and continue to maintain a delightfully fragrant display until summer officially arrives in mid-June. With its exquisitely tiny bell-shaped, ornamental flowers, the shrub has a low-key and understated beauty. Rather than a profuse explosion of showy blossoms, these plants have a quietly powerful presence. They can grow almost anywhere, whether in a valley or not. Slim curving stems give expression to glossy, deep green leaves that gently cradle sweet clusters of delicate, refined flowers. Each bell-shaped blossom hangs from a stem like a precious ornament, while the captivating scent delights the senses. The Symbolic Significance Of Lily Of The Valley They are associated with May Day. They symbolize a beautiful awakening after a long winter of darkness and hardship. The airy little flowers refresh the weary soul and promise a return to happiness and new hope. When the pretty white bells burst into view, they remind us that warm summers always follow dark winters with their alluring fragrance. Lily Of The Valley Is Used In Perfumes  When the alluring fragrance of them was converted to perfume and cologne in 1954, it inspired a line of products. Then, in 1956, Dior marketed it under the name Diorissimo. It was an instant hit for men and women alike. The lily was Dior's favorite flower and his lucky charm. The Unique Attributes Of Lily Of The Valley Lily Of The Valley can produce a thick carpet of ground cover while filling the air with a captivating scent. The deep green leaves make fabulous bouquets and cut flowers. With their curving stems, the plants can produce up to 12 tiny flowers with up to six tiny petals. The clusters are often included in bridal bouquets. Some bouquets consist entirely of them. The engaging blooms make a lovely statement when used to adorn wrapped gifts for weddings and showers.

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Virginia Bluebell - TN Nursery

Virginia Bluebell

Virginia Bluebell is a spring-blooming wildflower native to the United States recognized for its delicate, bell-shaped, sky-blue flowers forming clusters and carpeting the forest floor in early spring. It is a captivating perennial plant that offers numerous benefits when incorporated into landscaping designs. Its enchanting appearance and adaptability have made it a favorite among gardeners and landscapers. Virginia Bluebell produces Sky sky-blue bell-shaped flowers These flowers start as shades of pink and gradually transition to a soothing sky-blue hue, creating a stunning gradient effect that adds a touch of elegance to any landscape. The lush green foliage further complements the vibrant blooms, enhancing the overall visual impact. Besides its visual appeal, it is positively adjustable to various soil types, making it a perfect option for landscaping projects in multiple environments. Its preference for partially shaded to fully shaded areas makes it ideal for underplanting trees or placing them along the edges of woodland gardens. This versatility allows landscapers to create visually appealing designs catering to light conditions. Another benefit of incorporating them is their role in supporting local ecosystems. These plants are attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies, making them valuable contributors to biodiversity. By attracting these pollinators, they aid in reproducing nearby plants and promote a healthier ecosystem within the landscape. They also require little maintenance, making them appealing to amateur and experienced gardeners. Once established, they require minimal care, allowing landscapers to focus on other design aspects. In conclusion, perennial plants offer a range of benefits that enhance the overall appeal and ecological value of landscaping projects. With their captivating appearance, adaptability to various environments, support for local wildlife, and low maintenance needs, these perennial plants are a valuable addition to any landscape design seeking a harmonious blend of beauty and functionality. Virginia Bluebell Is Known For Its Beauty  The Virginia Bluebell, or Mertensia virginica, is a stunning and delicate native wildflower that graces eastern North America's woodlands and meadows. This perennial plant, belonging to the Boraginaceae family, is renowned for its enchanting beauty and is often considered one of the most striking spring wildflowers in its native range. Standing at heights 1 to 2.5 feet, the wildflower is a herbaceous plant that emerges from the forest floor early to mid-spring. Its growth cycle is a true spectacle as it undergoes a remarkable transformation. Initially, the plant's lance-shaped leaves are tinged with an attractive reddish-purple hue, but as they unfurl, they transition to a soft, gray-green color, creating a stunning contrast with its vibrant blue flowers. The Virginia Bluebell Has Mesmerizing Fairy-Like Flowers The flowers themselves are the main attraction of the plant. They are composed of clusters of pendulous, trumpet-shaped blooms that are a breathtaking shade of sky blue or pale pink, depending on the soil conditions. These blossoms are unique because they start as pink buds, gradually shifting to their iconic blue hue as they mature. The floral clusters adorn the plant's upright stems, creating a sea of blue that sways gently in the spring breeze. One of their most remarkable aspects is their ability to thrive in shaded woodland areas. They are often found in the dappled sunlight beneath deciduous trees, creating a serene and ethereal ambiance in these natural settings. Their preference for moist, rich soils ensures they are frequently spotted along stream banks and low-lying areas. Aside from its visual appeal, it plays an essential ecological role. They provide nectar for early-emerging pollinators like bees and butterflies, helping to kickstart the pollination process for various plants in their ecosystem. In conclusion, the Virginia Bluebell symbolizes grace and fleeting beauty in the natural world. Its striking blue flowers and unique life cycle make it a beloved harbinger of spring, enriching the landscapes it graces and captivating all who have the privilege to witness its brief but glorious bloom.

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Virginia Bluebell - TN Nursery

Virginia Bluebell

Virginia Bluebell is a spring-blooming wildflower native to the United States recognized for its delicate, bell-shaped, sky-blue flowers forming clusters and carpeting the forest floor in early spring. It is a captivating perennial plant that offers numerous benefits when incorporated into landscaping designs. Its enchanting appearance and adaptability have made it a favorite among gardeners and landscapers. Virginia Bluebell produces Sky sky-blue bell-shaped flowers These flowers start as shades of pink and gradually transition to a soothing sky-blue hue, creating a stunning gradient effect that adds a touch of elegance to any landscape. The lush green foliage further complements the vibrant blooms, enhancing the overall visual impact. Besides its visual appeal, it is positively adjustable to various soil types, making it a perfect option for landscaping projects in multiple environments. Its preference for partially shaded to fully shaded areas makes it ideal for underplanting trees or placing them along the edges of woodland gardens. This versatility allows landscapers to create visually appealing designs catering to light conditions. Another benefit of incorporating them is their role in supporting local ecosystems. These plants are attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies, making them valuable contributors to biodiversity. By attracting these pollinators, they aid in reproducing nearby plants and promote a healthier ecosystem within the landscape. They also require little maintenance, making them appealing to amateur and experienced gardeners. Once established, they require minimal care, allowing landscapers to focus on other design aspects. In conclusion, perennial plants offer a range of benefits that enhance the overall appeal and ecological value of landscaping projects. With their captivating appearance, adaptability to various environments, support for local wildlife, and low maintenance needs, these perennial plants are a valuable addition to any landscape design seeking a harmonious blend of beauty and functionality. Virginia Bluebell Is Known For Its Beauty  The Virginia Bluebell, or Mertensia virginica, is a stunning and delicate native wildflower that graces eastern North America's woodlands and meadows. This perennial plant, belonging to the Boraginaceae family, is renowned for its enchanting beauty and is often considered one of the most striking spring wildflowers in its native range. Standing at heights 1 to 2.5 feet, the wildflower is a herbaceous plant that emerges from the forest floor early to mid-spring. Its growth cycle is a true spectacle as it undergoes a remarkable transformation. Initially, the plant's lance-shaped leaves are tinged with an attractive reddish-purple hue, but as they unfurl, they transition to a soft, gray-green color, creating a stunning contrast with its vibrant blue flowers. The Virginia Bluebell Has Mesmerizing Fairy-Like Flowers The flowers themselves are the main attraction of the plant. They are composed of clusters of pendulous, trumpet-shaped blooms that are a breathtaking shade of sky blue or pale pink, depending on the soil conditions. These blossoms are unique because they start as pink buds, gradually shifting to their iconic blue hue as they mature. The floral clusters adorn the plant's upright stems, creating a sea of blue that sways gently in the spring breeze. One of their most remarkable aspects is their ability to thrive in shaded woodland areas. They are often found in the dappled sunlight beneath deciduous trees, creating a serene and ethereal ambiance in these natural settings. Their preference for moist, rich soils ensures they are frequently spotted along stream banks and low-lying areas. Aside from its visual appeal, it plays an essential ecological role. They provide nectar for early-emerging pollinators like bees and butterflies, helping to kickstart the pollination process for various plants in their ecosystem. In conclusion, the Virginia Bluebell symbolizes grace and fleeting beauty in the natural world. Its striking blue flowers and unique life cycle make it a beloved harbinger of spring, enriching the landscapes it graces and captivating all who have the privilege to witness its brief but glorious bloom.

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