Guest Author - Nikki Phipps

One of my favorite gardens is the woodland garden. I’m not sure if that’s because I’ve always lived in wooded areas or if it’s simply the natural look I find so appealing. Maybe it is both. At any rate, there are numerous plants that work well in a woodland environment, including many bulbs. Since there are so many, I thought it wise to merely suggest a few of my favorites. Most of these grew naturally on our mostly wooded property; however, they can all be readily acquired through reputable nurseries or garden centers. All of these bulbs require well-drained, humus-rich soil.

Trilliums bloom in early spring with colors ranging from pink, maroon, and yellow to white. These plants grow from rhizomes and are native to cool, wooded areas in humus-rich soil (composting may be necessary in the garden to achieve this same soil environment). Trilliums are ideal for shade or wooded wildflower gardens. Crested iris, jack-in-the-pulpit, hostas, toad lilies, and ferns make outstanding growing companions for trilliums. Cyclamen typically grows in dry forests, where it is partly shaded from sunlight. Some species flower early in the year, while others wait until late summer. Most cyclamen species provide an interesting winter groundcover in shady gardens. They also make lovely additions to the woodland garden. Lady’s slippers resemble a slipper or moccasin, which is how they got their name. These dainty blooms ranging from white, yellow, and deep pink to nearly purple remain tightly closed with exception to the small opening in the front. Many are considered endangered due to over collecting from the wild. Lady’s slippers prefer to grow within their natural environments—shady woodland areas.

Arums grow in sun or light shade, prefer moist, humus-rich soil, and look great planted in masses along ponds or as edging in woodland gardens. Arum species generally reach their peak in fall and winter, adding seasonal interest with their ornamental berries. The Jack-in-the-pulpit (A. triphyllum) is a North American native and well-known Arum species typically found growing in woodland areas. Jack-in-the-pulpits can be purplish-striped, greenish-white striped, or brown and white striped. After flowering, this interesting plant produces crimson berries. The Trout lily (E. americanum), also known as Adder’s tongue, is also a North American native. Overall, the flowers of this plant come in shades of yellow, white, or pink and bloom in mid-spring. These bulbs benefit from partial shade, thriving beautifully in woodland settings or shade gardens. Commonly known as the Dog’s-tooth violet, (E. dens-canis) has white, pink, or purple flowers with mottled leaves. Its common name derives from the fact that it resembles a dog’s tooth.

Lily-of-the-valley has spear-shaped leaves with white nodding, bell-shaped flowers. These spring bloomers also produce a sweet fragrance, making them exceptional garden plants. Lily-of-the-valley occasionally produces berries that turn bright red in the fall. This one is easy to grow under most conditions and enjoys lightly shaded sites the best, making Lily-of-the-Valley a great choice for woodland and shade gardens. The Scarlet-seeded iris, or Stinking iris (Iris foetidissima), has an unusual color—a pale yellow-lilac with brown mixed in. Blooming usually occurs in early summer and later develops into a pod of brilliant orange berries in autumn and lasting throughout winter. The plant gets its name from the smell that is given off when the leaves are crushed. In spite of its name, however, the Stinking iris makes an excellent candidate for woodland gardens. If you have a moist and partially shaded spot in the garden, this plant will be right at home.

Hardy Orchids (Bletilla striata) are usually anywhere from a pale pink to deep fuchsia or purple, blooming in spring or early summer. Hardy orchids are elegant in foliage as well as flower and make excellent accents in woodland gardens. Hardy orchids work well in shady areas alongside sedges, ferns, hellebores, and other shade-loving perennials. The common Sweet violet is a rhizomatous evergreen perennial well known for its wonderful fragrance. The flower color varies from dark blue to purple and violet, but also pale apricot to white. Although by nature sweet violets grow in dappled shade of woodland habitats, they are very tolerant, thriving in hot, sunny locations as well.

If you find yourself with lots of shade and are unsure of what to do with it, or if you have a wooded patch in the yard that needs filling, consider adding some woodland bulbs and other plants to these sites. Trust me; you won’t be sorry.