Despite its dark reputation in fairy tales, the woods can be a relaxing place, especially when you create your own small forest in which there is no chance of getting lost. To begin, select a part of your property that already has trees you can work around. For the most authentic-looking woodland garden, create a ground layer of perennial plants such as violets and ferns, an understory layer of bushier species such as mountain laurel and spicebush, or short trees such as dogwood and redbud, with a top layer of taller trees such as maple and oak.
1. Meandering Paths
Paths that wander a bit look more natural than rigidly straight ones, plus they provide welcome surprises around each bend. Designated places to walk also will prevent friends and family members from stepping on your woodland plants or compacting their soil, which should remain as light and fluffy as composted leaves. A variety of organic paving materials will work for laying woodland paths, including sand, gravel, or wood chips, with the latter being the most preferred. However, avoid any materials—such as limestone—that will raise the soil pH, since many woodland plants prefer acidic ground.
Think about how a path’s curves can guide the eye toward a striking tree or a patch of wildflowers. I once saw a garden where the path dipped slightly to reveal a hidden fern grove—pure magic. If you’re laying wood chips, source them locally to keep costs down and ensure they blend with the natural surroundings. Check with nearby arborists; they often have excess chips from tree work.
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2. Weathered Wood Fencing
Although woodlands don’t normally include fences, you might want to add some low fencing to delineate the edges of your woodland garden or taller barriers to discourage the deer that might be attracted to the garden. Wood that’s weathered enough to approximate the grays of the trees around it will look the least intrusive. The stacked, zigzag split rail fences once used by colonists to keep their livestock in the fields and out of the woods would be appropriate as well. Since those fences don’t require posts, they are easier to assemble than other types.
If deer are a concern in your area, consider pairing the fence with native plants they tend to avoid, like pungent wild ginger or prickly barberry. A friend of mine used reclaimed barn wood for a rustic fence—it looked like it had always been part of the landscape. Just make sure the wood isn’t treated with chemicals that could leach into the soil.
3. Relaxation Stations
You’ll want to provide benches or other resting places here and there along your paths so that you and others can relax and take everything in. A fallen log or a tree stump actually can make a highly appropriate “perch,” as long as it is large enough to support people sitting on it—and rising from it—comfortably. Rustic chairs or settees created from willow branches and twigs make excellent woodland garden ideas, as do sitting walls constructed of stone, or more typical garden benches. For the latter, look for types that resist rot, such as cedar and redwood.
Picture sitting on a cedar bench with a cup of coffee, listening to birdsong. I’d recommend placing seats where you get a view of something special—like a cluster of blooming violets or a glimpse of a birdbath. If you’re crafty, try weaving willow branches into a simple chair yourself; it’s a fun weekend project that adds a personal touch.
4. Native Ground Covers
If you have a large area beneath trees to cover, you might want to opt for fast-spreading ground covers such as violets (Violas) and mayapples. Keep in mind, though, that these woodland garden plants are so vigorous that they could impinge on places where you want to grow more sensitive species. Also, before choosing ground covers, research how long they remain attractive. The trout lily, for example, has pleasingly mottled leaves and small blooms that resemble lilies hanging their heads. But the plant dies back into dormancy during summer, so you’ll need some “understudy” plants waiting in the wings. Woodland ground covers might include:
- Wild ginger (Asarum canadense)
- Wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)
- Blue violet (Viola sororia)
- Canada anemone (Anemone canadensis)
- Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)
When selecting ground covers, check your region’s native plant database—some species might be better suited to your climate. For instance, wild ginger thrives in damp shade, but it struggled in my friend’s drier yard until she added a small irrigation drip. Mixing textures, like the broad leaves of mayapple with the delicate fronds of ferns, creates a lush, layered look.
5. Shade-Loving Understory
For your understory, select shrubs and small trees that bloom early enough to get all the sun their flowers need and on which the foliage and fruits remain attractive after flowering ends. Some plants considered “tame” types actually have wilder species appropriate for woodland gardens such as:
- Native azalea (Rhododendron arborescens)
- Mountain camellia (Stewartia ovata)
- Native hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)
If you aren’t set on authenticity, your woodland landscape ideas could also include hybrid varieties of any of the above or other garden trees and perennials that tolerate shade. You may even want to try fruit and nut trees that can produce for you in partial shade, such as:
- American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)
- Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)
- Wild blueberries (Vaccinium spp.)
Pawpaws are a hidden gem—their custard-like fruit is a treat, and they don’t need full sun. I planted one in a shady corner, and it’s been a conversation starter at every garden party. Just be patient; they can take a few years to bear fruit. Check with local nurseries for cultivars bred for your area to boost success.
6. Enhance Wildlife Habitat
To make your woodland attractive to wildlife, leave logs lying here and there and include berry-bearing plants and trees such as wild strawberries and serviceberries to feed the birds. If your largest trees don’t have nesting hollows for your avian visitors, provide birdhouses instead. Woodland creatures like a water source as well, such as a stream or pool. If you can’t manage that, sink a large pebble-lined terra-cotta plant saucer in the ground to create a natural-looking birdbath. You also might want to leave a few brush piles in place here and there as shelter.
Birds aren’t the only visitors—small mammals like chipmunks love brush piles. I added a simple birdbath near my wild strawberries, and now it’s a daily show of sparrows and squirrels. If you’re adding birdhouses, place them at varying heights to attract different species, and clean them out annually to keep them inviting.
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7. Build Flower Beds With Found Rocks
While digging up the area for your new woodland garden, save any rocks you find to help you create flower beds. Although you could make raised beds bounded by shallow stone walls, you can achieve a more natural look with a woodland rock garden instead. For that, partially bury the rocks in a random pattern, which leaves nooks and crevices in which you can set your smallest woodland plants. You’ll also want to allow those non-rolling stones to “gather some moss.”
I’ve found that moss grows best on rocks in shadier spots, so don’t rush to place them in sunny clearings. If you’re short on rocks, check local landscaping suppliers for fieldstones—they’re often affordable and blend well. A neighbor of mine created a stunning rock garden with ferns tucked into the crevices; it looks like it’s been there forever.
8. Prune the Canopy
Many woodland plants bloom in spring to take advantage of the brighter season before deciduous trees leaf out. If you prefer to have summer bloomers too, you might need to prune the canopy—the top layer of trees in your woodland—so that filtered sun still can reach the ground beneath them. You can do some thinning simply by removing dead and damaged branches. For the best results when removing healthy branches, don’t cut any larger than 2 inches in diameter and don’t prune out more than 15 percent of the tree’s total foliage.
Pruning can feel daunting, but start small—focus on branches that cross or rub. I learned the hard way that over-pruning can stress trees, so stick to the 15 percent rule. If you’re unsure, a local arborist can offer guidance tailored to your trees’ species and health.
9. Mulch Is Readily Available
You might want to mulch your woodland plants with a few inches of either shredded bark or compost. However, keep in mind that woodland gardens tend to make their own mulch by dropping dead leaves over the plants below them during autumn. That natural cover should help protect your perennials during winter, and the material should gradually decompose to feed plants later. Come spring, you may want to loosen and pull the mats of dead leaves back a bit, leaving them lying in a 2-inch layer around your plants to suppress weeds.
I love how fallen leaves create a soft, natural carpet—plus, it’s free! If you do add mulch, avoid piling it against tree trunks; it can trap moisture and cause rot. A thin layer of composted leaves from your own yard can work wonders for soil health without extra cost.
10. Maintain Minimally
If you want your woodland to look like a real forest, resist the temptation to neaten everything up. Part of minimal maintenance is allowing dead leaves to remain rather than raking them up and carrying them away. You may also want to leave in place new plants or ferns that sow themselves in your plot, as long as they are not invasive species such as non-native barberries and honeysuckles or too painful to tolerate, such as brambles or poison ivy.
Embrace the wild look—it’s what makes a woodland garden feel alive. I once yanked out a “weed” only to realize it was a native fern seeding itself. Now I let volunteers grow unless they’re troublemakers. Check your local extension service for a list of invasives to watch out for in your region.
Despite its dark reputation in fairy tales, the woods can be a relaxing place, especially when you create your own small forest in which there is no chance of getting lost. By layering plants, adding meandering paths, and inviting wildlife, your woodland garden can become a serene retreat that feels both wild and welcoming.