Woodland - bringing the forest into the garden

A woodland can be said to be a mixture between wild forest and a more organized garden - the plants are arranged so that each plant gets its optimal form purely aesthetically and in combination with each other.,,The cultivation form is said to have originated in England at the end of the 19th century, when landscape gardeners placed surplus plants on the outskirts of parks. They then discovered that the plants protected against wind, that the environments in the shade benefited the plants, and that the plants in many cases thrived better than those that were more exposed.,,A woodland works well for both small and large areas. If you own a natural plot or an overgrown garden, you have particularly good conditions because you can then start with the trees and shrubs that already exist.,,Of course, it is possible to create this grove-like garden form from scratch, but it takes a little longer as trees and shrubs need time to establish themselves.

A woodland garden always consists of different layers and levels consisting of trees, bushes, and ground cover vegetation. The trees act as a canopy providing shade, and both the trees and lower bushes are pruned gently to correct any branches growing incorrectly from an aesthetic perspective.,The bushes act as windbreaks and space dividers, and on the ground, perennial plants and bulbous plants are often used. It is also recommended to plant berries and flowers, as they attract birds and butterflies, bees, and other useful insects.,Although a woodland garden is a type of shade garden, you can let the sun shine in certain areas, and perhaps you can place a sun-loving plant right there.

The soil is - just like in all cultivation contexts - important. A fertile soil not only gives the plants good conditions in terms of nutrients, but water and acid also contribute to a better microorganism life and more insects. These act as little gardeners, creating new, nutrient-rich soil that new plants can take advantage of. Many of the plants that thrive in a woodland are acid-loving plants that prefer slightly acidic soil and dislike lime. Consider what the plants need at planting - for example, hard clay may require a lot of organic material to function properly.

Trees, Trees make up the canopy of a woodland. Avoid species with overly aggressive root systems that inhibit ground cover plants from thriving. Consider foliage, shape, and bark appearance. Examples of suitable trees: oak, ash, birch, blue gum eucalyptus, and Japanese maple.,,Shrubs, Shrubs form the intermediate layer of a woodland. They also serve as the walls and protect against wind. Examples of suitable shrubs: star magnolia, privet, bamboo, hydrangea, black chokeberry, Siberian dogwood, Japanese spindle tree, cluster-flowered rose, boxwood, azalea, park rhododendron, witch hazel, winter witch hazel, lily of the valley shrub, holly, coralberry, American blueberry.,,Perennials and ground cover plants, These plants can make up the floor of a woodland. Examples may include: creeping thyme, daylily, Virginia creeper, autumn phlox, snowdrop, silverweed, ferns, lily turf, hosta, wintergreen, lungwort, grape holly, Christmas rose, small rock geranium, ostrich fern, cow parsley, musk, bloodroot, forget-me-not, white aster, three-leafed gillenia, barren strawberry, peony, coneflower, bleeding heart, goldenrod, Japanese anemone, alumroot, catmint, tulips, daffodils, and bulbs.,,Other plants, In addition, a woodland can be complemented with climbing plants such as clematis, climbing hydrangea, pipevine, and climbing spindle, as well as ornamental grasses like blue fescue.

A woodland means little of both weeding and maintenance, so you can look forward to a very comfortable and easy garden once the groundwork is done. A typical garden always aims to become wilder and strengthen its ecosystem, so when you let it grow more freely, you are working with nature.,,As a woodland offers great diversity, it also attracts many animals. With a little luck, you may have visits from both hares and hedgehogs.,,Creating a woodland is giving nature a chance to show a bit of its true self, but it's also about satisfying our own needs. Perhaps you are one of those who takes a deep breath of relief when you come to the forest? A woodland can give you the same feeling in your own garden - here you have the opportunity to sit on a bench and enjoy bird songs, squirrels gathering nuts, or maybe just the scent of newly sprouted onion plants in spring.

Be inspired by a beautiful grove in the forest and combine elements that you find attractive. Plant in different layers and think about how different colors and foliage can complement each other. The layers consist of trees, bushes, and ground cover. Create a path that leads to a special place, such as a bench in a sunny spot. Choose local plants that thrive in the climate - they often fit in and are appreciated by the local wildlife. Cover the ground with plants or ground cover such as bark or gravel to retain moisture in the soil and prevent erosion and weeds. Mulching also works well.

Liselotte Roll, Swedish garden inspirator, journalist and author of books about nature, gardening, and animals, such as "Jord", "Odla för insekter" and "Höns som hobby".