Outline for Today
Elements of a Woodland Garden
Types of Shade
Tips for shade & wooded areas
Plants for each type of shade &
season
Elements of Woodland
Garden1. Overstory trees for
shade
2. Understory
3. Tie together with shrubs
4. Interesting woodland floor
5. Add a few detailsGarvin Gardens, Hot Springs, AR
Think of your yard as
three areas
Inner Area high traffic
Area-in-between lawn scape
Outer Areatrees, shrubs,
background
Terminology
“Extreme Naturalism”-
use natural elements:
rocks, leaf mulch
Wabi Sabi- Japanize
term for appreciating
the imperfect
Natural Style
Shade Gardens
Intermingling – fuzzy
edges that change and
shift over time
A More Natural Approach
Naturalistic and wild in
appearance
Grow what your site will
sustain
Plan for less diligent and
consistent care
Plan for plants to grow
into each other over a
season and over time
Plan for trees to grow
larger and to decline
Plan for Changes
over Time
Existing trees
Full sun
Natural woodland
Shade Loving or Shade
Tolerant
Woodland or shade
plants average about 4
hours of less sun per day
Plants adapt
Sun plants may do well
in shade, just flower less
or become smaller
Shade plants may do
well in sun, just need
more water
Advantages
Flower blooms tend to last longer and color is
more intense than in the sun
Plant foliage is unlikely to suffer burns
Plants tend to need less fertilizer
Weeds tend to be less of a problem
Less maintenance
Fewer insect problems
Trees provide natural leaf mulch during winter
months
Disadvantages
Few plants and colors
Plants grow more slowly
Foliage tends to remain wet longer
Slugs and snails
Soil acidity
Types of Shade
Deep, Dense, Heavy, Full
Partial, Half, Medium, Dappled
Filtered, light, thin
•Wet or dry
•Morning or afternoon sun
•Seasonal shade
Maintaining Woodlanders
Not desirable to disturb
soil surface
Generally the smaller the
plants the more
weeding needed
Better to give a deep
irrigation than small
frequent waterings
Mulch beds with organic
material
Fertilizer Tips
Goal is soil with high organic matter
Try organic fertilizer (8-5-5) since chemical
fertilizers may be too “hot”
Fertilizer with high nitrogen can cause lush but
pest-attracting growth
Leave leaves lie
Mowing Perennial Beds
Tips to growing sun loving
plants in the shade
Plants grow leggier in
shade, so buy the
bushiest, most compact specimens
If you like a certain sun-
loving plant but only
have shade – try it there.
When buying shade-tolerant
plants, pick varieties that
bloom early, before
deciduous trees block the
light during their most active
growth
Colors
Dominate shade colors:
white, blue, mauve, pink
Daylilies can add splash of
color
Start with “anchor” plants
like hydrangea or viburnum
Light colors will stand out in
shade
Ex. Red advances, white
dominates
Tips for planting under
trees Avoid damaging tree roots
do not add soil on top of tree roots
gently plant between roots
do not cut into roots 2” or larger
use a layer of mulch no deeper than 2-4” thick
Look to nature for inspiration in plant selection
Be prepared to water the first year or two until plants are established
Use containers to add color
Collecting Native Plants
Native plants - The old wildflower law that protected
plants such as orchids, trillium and bittersweet was taken
off the books in 1978. Except for wild ginseng, wild rice
and endangered or threatened species, all other plants
are unprotected on private lands and may be taken,
transported or sold - with the exception of noxious
weeds and nuisance weeds. On state property, you cannot take any plants or plant parts except for edible
fruits, edible nuts, wild mushrooms, wild asparagus, and
watercress. These may be removed by hand without a
permit for the purpose of personal consumption by the
collector.
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/endangeredresources/laws.html
Inspiration
Chanticleer Gardens, PA
Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania
Private Garden, Hayward, WI
Private Garden, Hayward, WI
Minnesota Arboretum
Minnesota Arboretum
Private Garden, Hayward, WI
Private Garden – Oshkosh WI
Bulbs in Shade Garden(in order from early to late)
• Snowdrops (Galanthus)
• Crocus
• Siberian Squill (Scilla Siberica)
• Winter Aconite (Eranthus)
• Daffodils (Narcissus)
• Double Grape Hyacinth (Muscari)
• Tulips
• Wood Hyacinth (Scilla
companulata)
• Alliums
Life Cycle of Spring Flowering
BulbsFall -- Plant when soil
temperatures are below 50
degrees – October. Water well.
Protect against squirrels.
Winter--Protect from
thaw/freeze cycles and early,
warm weather with a mulch.
Remove mulch when leaves
emerge.
Spring -- Enjoy the show—
protect from rabbits & deer if not
resistant. Remove spent flower
stem. Leaves should remain until
brown and can be pulled easily.
Summer -- Plants are
dormant. Bulbs can remain in
place, be divided or removed and
stored in a dry, cool location until
fall planting time.
When and Where to Plant
• When temps are consistently cool (55 degrees) and until ground freezes
• Most bulbs prefer moist, well-drained soil in growing season and drier soil when dormant
• Remove all debris and/or cover area to discourage squirrels
How to Plant
• General rule plant spring bulbs
at a depth 3 times their height,
• Space at least 3-4 times the
width of the bulb apart
• Plant point-end down or on its
side
• Blood meal or grit on top of soil
can also discourage pests
• Water
Naturalized Daffodils
Spring Bulb Failure to
Perennialize
• Bulb species not adaptable to climatic zone
• Poor drainage
• pH greatly exceed the 6-7 range
• Site had high salt content and roots burned
• Bulbs not properly fertilized to maintain bulb size
• Site had improper light for adequate photosynthesis
• Foliage was not allowed to remain or was bent over
• Heavy freezing damage occurred
• There were serious diseases
• Prolonged drought affect plant growth
Profile -- Narcissus
• Reliable for naturalizing and long-lived
• Any soil type --prefer slightly alkaline conditions, moist in spring,
drier during dormant period
• Sun or dappled shade
• Add organic matter to improve drainage, excess nitrogen can
result in lots of leaves and no flowers.
• Deer resistant!
Horticulturally classified in 13 divisions based on flower form and original species
Fritillaria True lilies
Fritillaria imperialis(Crown Imperial) have the showiest flowers
Fritillaria meleagris(Snakeshead lily) have checkered or mottled pattern on drooping blooms
Unusual and hardy when planted in moist soil in sun to part shade
Resist deer, squirrels and may protect other bulbs from bulb digging rodents
Leucojum aestivum
Summer Snowflake Bloom mid to late spring, not to be
confused with similar and more common Galanthus or snowdrops
Snowflake’s foliage lasts a long time after the flowers fade, by mid-summer the leaves will yellow and die back
Do best when the bulbs are left undisturbed for long periods of time, naturalize well but slowly
Deer and rabbit resistant and virtually no insect pests
Photo taken May 14
Alliums
• Plant in the fall, among dry loving perennials
• Prefer full sun to light shade & well-drained soil
• Feed with 10-10-10 fertilized 3 times a year: early spring when foliage emerges, summer when the blooms fade, fall during final clean-up
• Deer and rabbit resistant!
Dry vs. Moist
Dry
Mulch, water new plants
Hellebore, Spotted
Deadnettle, Bloodroot,
fern, trillium, lady’s mantle
Moist
Consistent moisture
Astilbe, Brunnera, Fernleaf
Bleeding Heart, Coral bells
Light Shade
1. Aster
2. Turtlehead (Chelone obliqua)
3. Cranesbill Geranium (Geranium
sanguineum)
4. Bee Balm (Monarda ‘Jacob Kline’)
5. Phlox
1. P. divaricata (woodland)
2. P. maculata (early)
3. P. paniculata (border)
4. P. stolonifera (creeping)
5. P. subulata (moss)
6. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
2
1
3
4
5
6
Medium Shade Perennials
1. Astilbe
2. Daylily
3. Jacob’s Ladder
4. Lady’s Mantle
5. False Solomon’s Seal
6. Bleeding Heart
7. Spiderwort
8. Spotted Deadnettle
1
2
4
3
5
7
8
Full Shade
Perennials1. Coral bells
2. Japanese painted
fern
(Athyrium x)
3. Hosta
4. Sedges
1
2
3
4
Annuals
Begonia (sun to part shade)
Impatiens (light to full shade)
Lobelia (part sun to full sun)
Medallion flower (Melampodium paludosum – full sun
to part shade)
Salvia (full sun to light shade)
Coleus (part shade)
Viola (pansies, Johnny-jump-ups – shade)
Fuchsia (part sun to full sun)
Ground Covers
Deadnettle (Lamium
maculatum)
Excellent ground cover
for shaded areas
Prefers moist, well
drained soil
Part to full shade
Pest free
Lift and divide
overgrown plants
Can be aggressive
Cultivars: Beacon Silver,
White Nancy
Lenten Rose (Helleborus x
Hybridus) Partial to full shade, moist, well-
drained alkaline soil
Plants are evergreen
Prune off dead leaves in late
winter or mow for complete
renewal
Can reseed heavily, flowers
about 3rd year
Lily-of-the-Valley
(Convallaria majalis)
Caution: can be
aggressive in garden,
invasive near woodlands
Prefer moist, well
drained soil
Part to full shade
Not a good choice in a
garden setting
Plants under trees
benefit from a yearly
application of fertilizer in
early spring
Moneywort (Lysimachia
nummularia)
Aggressive
Tolerate wide range of
conditions, prefers
shade with moist to wet
organic soil
Minimal fertilizer needed
Monitor planting,
pruning back and
pulling plants that have
overgrown space
Try ‘Aurea’ for less
aggressive nature
Moss Gardens
Moss grows best in
shade or part shade
Acidic soil (pH 5.0 to
6.0)
No fertilizing necessary
Cut, move, keep moist
for 3 weeks to
transplant
Sedges (Carex sp.)
Cool season, 2-4’
Upright, open
Average to wet soils, light to
full shade
Good alternative to lawn
grasses in the shade
Cultivars:
1. Carex grayi, Gray’s sedge
2. Carex muskingumensis, Palm
sedge ‘Little Midge’ and
‘Oehme’
3. Carex morrowii ‘Bowles
Golden’ and ‘Ice Dance’
1
2
3
PerennialsPLANT PROFILES
Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s
Mantle)
Part to light shade, can
tolerate full shade and
full sun
Late spring to summer
Good cut flower
Freely self-seeds, so
deadhead if that is not
wanted
Can use as a ground
cover
Deer resistant
Aquilegia hybrids
(Columbine)
Aquilegia canadensis –
native
Full sun to part shade
Low-maintenance
plants, easily self-seed,
remove faded flowers to
encourage rebloom and
present self-seeding
Short-lived, foliage dies
back by mid-summer
then cut to ground
Deer Resistant
Astilbe
Part shade to filtered
light
Tolerate heavy shade,
deer & rabbits
Moisture loving and
need fertilization (in
spring before growth
begins and fall)
Good cut flower & dried
seed heads can last all
winter, let foliage stand
all winter to increase
hardiness
Brunnera macrophylla
(Siberian bugloss)
Part shade, can use as a
ground cover
Easy to grow, needs
consistent moisture and
leaves may scorch in
hot sunshine
Deer Resistant
Photo: Missouri Botanical Garden
Cimicifuga spp.
(Bugbane, snakeroot or Black Cohash)
Part to full shade, likes
moist soil
Best if protected from
wind, flower spikes 4-5 ft.
Native plant
Bugbane is in reference
to the odoriferous insect
repellant properties of
this plant
Deer Resistant
Dicentra spp. (Bleeding
heart)
Part to full shade
Can use flowers for
cutting
Low maintenance, keep
moist
Remove faded flowers
to encourage longer
bloom period &
discourage reseeding
Leaves will yellow and
go dormant in July
Deer resistant
Geranium spp.
(Cranesbill)
Full sun to part shade,
moist conditions but will
tolerate some drought
Foliage may be lightly
sheared back and
shaped to revitalize after
flowering
Photo: Missouri Botanical Gardens
Ferns Cultivars for full sun to full shade
Large (3 feet)
Ostrich (Matteuccia tructhiopteris)
Bracken (Pteridium aquilnum)
Cinnamon (Osmunda cinnamomea)
Interrupted (Osmunda claytoniana)
Intermediate (12 to 36 inches)
Maidenhair (Adiantum pedatum)
Spinulose woodfern (Dryopteris carthusiana)
Oak (Gymnocarpium dryopteris)
Small (4 to 12 inches)
Bulblet (Cystopteris bulbifera)
Fragile (Cystopteris fragilis)
Heuchera spp.
(Coralbells)
Sun to full shade, but
perform best in part-
shade with moist, well-
drained soil
Can be subject to frost
heaving, check in spring
and replant the crown
just below the soil
surface
Deer Resistant
Hosta
Low maintenance, quick
growing
Variety of leaf sizes, shapes,
colors, and textures
Best leaf color in partial
shade, avoid afternoon sun
Option: remove flowers as
they sprout or as flowers
fade
Divide anytime during
growing season
Ligularia spp. (Ragwort)
Part to full shade, large
leafed, must have moist
soils that never dry out.
Can tolerate wet soil
and heavy shade
Deer Resistant
Photo: Missouri Botanical Garden
Maianthemum (false
Solomon’s Seal) Native to moist
woodlands
Part Shade, Intolerant of
dry soils, spreads by
creeping rhizomes
White flowers give way
to fruit that start green
and mature to reddish
black
Propagate by division in
early autumn or by seed
Photo: Missouri Botanical Garden
Polemonium spp. (Jacob’s
ladder)
Part shade to shade
Blooms late spring to
midsummer
Freely self-seeds
Variegated cultivars
Photo: Missouri Botanical Garden
Pulmonaria (Lungwort)
Part to full shade, soils
must not be allowed to
dry out
Avoid full sun or leaves
will scorch or wilt
Spreads very slowly by
creeping roots
Deer resistant
Photo: Missouri Botanical Gardens
Rodgersia
Zone 4, full sun to part
shade, medium to wet
soil
Deadhead spent flowers
after bloom
3-5 ft tall and wide,
leaves can be 12 inches
across
Photo: Missouri Botanical Gardens
Shrubs
Hydrangea
Cornus (dogwood)
Forsythia
Viburnums
Ilex (Winterberry)
Peony
Rhododendrons
Spiraea
Witch hazel
Vines
Wisteria
Clematis
Lonicera x heckrottii
(Goldflame
Honeysuckle)
Resources
Designing and Planting a Woodland Garden,
Keith Wiley
The Natural Shade Garden, Ken Druse
The Living Landscape, Dick Darke & Doug Tallamy
Bringing Nature Home, Doug Tallamy
The American Woodland Garden & The Wild Garden, Dick Darke
The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden, Roy Diblik
Thank You
Sue Reinardy
UW-Extension Master Gardener Volunteer
North Country Master Gardeners
www.northcountrymgv.org