Woodland plants

Plants suited to a woodland planting scheme.

A woodland border recreates the layered shade beneath trees, where the action happens at ground level in spring before the canopy closes over. The foundation is leaf mould: woodland soil is rich, moisture-retentive and humus-laden, so mulch heavily with composted leaves and never let it bake dry. Plant spring ephemerals that flower and feed early, then carpeting groundcover and bold foliage to hold interest through the shaded summer. Layer from canopy down through shrub to ground. The mistake is leaving bare soil, which dries and weeds; a woodland floor should be densely furnished. These plants are chosen for dappled and full shade with that cool, leafy root run, from early flowers to season-long foliage.

Border Builder is a garden border planner for iPhone and iPad. Pick from the 377 plants below and it works them into a full plan: how many of each, where they go, and how the bed reads through the seasons.

377 plants for this

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