What is a woodland shade garden? How is it different from any other shade garden? There are several different types of shade gardens each one is dictated by the amount of light or sunshine available to the garden. It is understood in quantifying hours of light that it is calculated from mid-morning (10:00am.) to evening(6:00pm.). In defining the light shade garden the area would be completely shaded for only 2-4 hours within the time frame of mid- morning to evening. For filtered shade gardens the garden would be shaded completely throughout the day with the sun's rays penetrating through the tree canopy. The more open the tree canopy is the more light filters down to the plants. For example, a tree canopy created of locust, birch and willow will allow a lot more light or sun rays in than one made up of oak and maple. Part shade is shade in which structures or a crop of trees planted close together cast their shadows for 4-5 hours over the garden; however; the sun shines on the area as it moves throughout the day. Full shade is dark shade prevailing all day long whether it is from a tall structure or out hangings such as a porch roof. Multi tiered forest canopies create this kind of shade. The light which does get in is from reflection off of the buildings or passive daylight. Last is dense shade. This is defined as no light reaching the garden floor. This is created by thick wood canopies of conifers, maples and heavy low branching trees.
The woodland shade garden encompasses all of the above shade categories at various times of the year and day. For the purpose of this article the woodland shade garden is going to start at the edge of the woods and incorporate the wooded area. The shade garden is well drained and has much organic matter in the soil. The soil is acidic due to the decaying leaf litter which will get amended as I plant the garden. For spring time flowering bulbs will be planted. The main flowers will be daffodils, crocus and star of Bethlehem to naturalize the garden. There is no problem with these flowers developing and getting the amount of sunlight to flower because the tree canopy is still dormant. Next Tiarella (foamflowers) and pulmonaria will be planted for they like moist soil and partial shade. Both plants have interesting leaves which are eye catching in a shade garden. Tiarella have shiny maple shape deep lobed leaves with pink or cream markings on them. Pulmonaria leaves are speckled with silver. Both plants mature to no more than 12 inches in height so should be planted in the front of the shade garden. I try to make the woodland shade garden natural looking. These plants are planted in different areas of the garden to give the appearance they grew there naturally. The hardiness zones for these plants are 3-7 and 3-8 respectively.
Naturalize the woodland shade garden with some native plants to help restore and promote their dwindling numbers in the wild. Remember not to take them out of their elements but to buy these plants and bulbs from reputable nurseries. In many states it is illegal to pick and take wild flowers. There are many natives to choose from depending on where your residence is. Here in the northeast (I live in New York) zone 6b, are some of my choices: bloodroot, trillium, dog tooth violets, Virginia bluebells, lady slippers and Jack in the Pulpits. Most of these plants prefer moist soil with organic matter either compost or decaying leaf litter and good drainage.
Trillium is a flowering bulb also known as "Great White Trillium" or "Wake Robin". The plant gets a three white petalled flower with three leaves and three sepals. The plant emits a smelly odor to attract pollinators such as bees, the pale swallowtail and the Virginia White butterfly. There is also a red trillium available.
Bloodroot belongs to the poppy family. In the spring the leaf is curled around the stalk developing into a large deep lobed leaf. Bloodroot gets a single white 8-10 petal flower. The plant gets its name from the Native Americans because when the root is cut it oozes a red blood colored juice that they used to make dyes and face paint.
Goat's beard was given its name from the Latin word aryngos (Aruncus) meaning goat's beard because the plumes or flowers on this plant are white like a goat beard. This plant grows 4-6 feet in part shade and slightly smaller in full shade. It is a very showy plant once established. The leaves are clumped at the base and are fern like in appearance with the plumes rising above the leaves on tall spike branches. The plant is a dioecious plant meaning it has all male flowers or all female flowers. The male plant is slightly showier than the female. Native Americans used this plant for medicinal purposes in curing fevers and blood diseases. Goat's beard makes a good backdrop for the woodland shade garden with the appearance of flowers in May to July.
Wild columbine is an early spring native wildflower which tolerates most soils even drier soils. It performs best in part to filtered shade yielding red and yellow blossoms. The flowers are nectar rich so it attracts pollinators such as hummingbirds, bumblebees and butterflies. The plant is the host plant of Duskywing butterflies. Native Americans made washes with the various parts of the plant including a infusion for poison ivy. Hopefully their remedy is better than the stuff on the market today.
Bleeding hearts and Dutchman's Breeches are native herbaceous plants that bloom in April to June. These flowers resemble upside down pantaloons of pink and white or maroon and white on three parted fern like leaves They prefer moist shady areas (they will melt in the hot sun) growing to about 10 -12 inches high. They spread via underground roots from a scaly bulb. They are toxic to many animals if eaten thus given the name stagger plant. Both these plants add softness and grace to the woodland shade garden.
The bones of the woodland shade garden are azaleas and rhododendrons which like the acidic moist soil. The more light they get the more flowers they will produce but they do not like the hot or full sun. These are good choices if you wish to attract wild birds because they provide shelter and protection with the dense branching habit. Many a cardinal or robin nest can be found in them.
Summersweet Clethra or Pepperbush flowers profusely for 4-6 weeks in July to August. This upright 4-8 feet shrub hails bottle brush spicy scented flowers in the summer when few trees and shrubs flower. The plant does spread sending underground rhizomes throughout the area so it needs to be kept in check occasionally. Clethra likes to be near water and likes moist organic soil. It will tolerate a sunny location. It develops brown seed pods that persist for 2 years on the bush. This shrub does make a good hedge row or perimeter border.
Ligularia works well in the woodland shade garden. It can grow 8 feet high with a width of 6 feet if the conditions are what the plant likes. They like very moist but well drained organic fertile soil. The leaves are interesting and eye appealing. Some ligularia have heart shaped rounded coppery leaves while others have deeply toothed bright green leaves. The flowers range from orange to yellow daisy shaped to high tall spikes of blooms. They add wonderful bright color to the garden throughout summer to the fall season. These plants do not tolerate sun and will melt so provide them with water if necessary and they will give you bold bright flowers and satisfaction.
Adding ferns to the shade garden helps soften the garden and adds texture. Ferns can be found in many different leaf shapes from delicate looking leaves to big ostrich leaves. Their colors can go from the two toned painted fern look to the brilliant orange red coloring of the cultivar Autumn fern, Brilliance. Place ferns such as deer fern or hart's tongue with hosta, tiarella and coral bells which like filtered sun and make the shiny fronds shimmer in the light. Ferns are a good choice for holding ground on a slope because of their spreading or creeping rhizomes which helps in erosion control.
The woodland shade garden does not have to be dull and boring just because of the shade. Many wild birds will seek the shelter of the tree canopy above the garden to forage for insects or spiders. Several of the woodland shade plants offer berries and nectar providing food for wild birds and wildlife through the nesting and general season. The plumes and fern leaves are good nest building material too. Place bird baths in strategic spots so the wild birds can get fresh water for bathing and drinking. Add a path with dried leaves, mulch or pine needles that leads to a nice sitting area to watch the birds and wildlife. Grab a good book and relax or keep handy a wild bird field guide to look up the wild birds that come to visit. Remember to check the plants that are being planted so no invasives are added to the landscaping and use legal plants to restore them to their natural habitat. Please go to the website www.WildBirdSeedMart.com for any of your wild birds needs. We offer many different products including birdbaths and seed from some leading wild bird companies.
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