70. HUNDRED ACRE WOOD

A woodland garden has a bit of magic about it, somewhat like Winnie-the-Pooh’s fictional land, Hundred Acre Wood. This is where Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and others from the Winnie-the-Pooh series of children’s stories by British author A. A. Milne, lived. The Wood, which has captured the imagination of many Pooh fans, was based on Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, England. The Wood makes an enchanting theme for a woodland garden. Pooh, by the way, also offered great garden advice. I always liked his admonition that, “Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”

Woodland gardens that are full of flowers are a collaboration between you and a certain Ms. Nature. A partnership with her in a forest setting is an unequal one, as you are imposing yourself on what is inarguably a perfect system. So if you intrude on Nature’s domain, you must be mindful of the natural environment and follow her dictates. Once you do, the satisfaction of a sylvan garden retreat, awash in flowers, awaits you!

The most important consideration is that you do not disturb the all-important root systems of existing trees. Work respectfully around them and follow their lead for laying out paths and placing rocks and some soil. You may choose to create a wide mulched path, edged with small rocks, that winds through the woods. You can add shade-loving flowers along its edge. At the same time, it is a good idea to cut down any hazardous, dead, or sickly trees. Once an area is cleared, you can create open glades where ferns and flowers can brighten up the surroundings. Leave the tree trunks on the ground for nesting places for small animals. A downed tree also makes a rustic sitting bench, as Winnie-the-Pooh had in his Hundred Acre Wood.

The choice of flowers you plant depends on your particular site conditions. Native and shade-tolerant flowers such as great white trillium, mayapple, bleeding heart, columbines, and native coralbells work well in a wooded site in cool hardiness zones, because that is their natural habitat. Look at a plant’s soil, sun/shade preference, and hardiness when choosing what to grow. Determine if you have dry shade and look for flowering plants that are suitable for that condition. Good choices include pulmonaria, vinca, lily of the valley, epimedium, and big root geranium.