Tiniest woodland area, when and how?

Hi,
My tiny planting area has now been declared as a woodland feature. It's under a large tree (neighbourghs side), so far the ferns are doing well but everything else I've tried over 2 years has died or been eaten by The Slug army.

I'm planning to go for the not- so colourful but surviving natural look, the ferns are there and definitely I'll get plenty of bulbs in in the autumn.

What else? I'd love to have year around interest as the area is right in front of the kitchen window. I have some evergreen Geranium, would that be ok? I have to get Scillas for the spring but how would they do with, say Cyclamen in the early months?

I'm in the re- planning stage, my holidays are after a month so... please throw in ideas, inspirations and advise. Plant selections, planting times, transferring times etc. Thanks!

 

Some mid height plants would help to draw the eye from the scillas in spring-all the way up to the tree overhanging, evergreen-rhododendrons perhaps? Deciduous-Hydrangeas, I have a few tree peonies under my two trees, they are in fact the best flowers in the world ( to me anyway) and I try to fit them in where I can. If it is damp then astilbes look well.

 

What about the often overlooked natives. Primroses are lovely, and mine thrive in the woodland bit as long as they can have some light (they don't do so well in the permanently shaded bits). Wild garlic is ace provided the ground is moist, and of course who can forget the old Bluebell, which apparently is happy to share its spot with the garlic, as one is just leaving as the other is arriving apparently.

Foxglove also tolerates shade, in fact some of the best specimens I've ever seen were in dense woodland, then there are all sorts of tiny flowers in my bit, but I don't know there names. I'll take my ID book next time I go up.

 

What kind of tree is it Selleri? I'm assuming deciduous. I like clueless1's suggestions. I was going to say bluebell too before I read his post. Also winter aconite is nice under trees.

 

Meadowsweet for a native - likes a damp/shady areas and flowers look pretty, plus it's a native of this country so it would fit in well.

 

i was gonna say bluebell too lol. What about lily of the valley, trilliums, digitallis purpurea, cyclamen??

 

I am also thinking about bluebells but they do tend to be invasive, as are lily-of-the-valley. We still have bluebells in The Woodland in our garden and spreading more every year. We had to get rid of the lily-of-the-valley, as lovely as it is, as it had taken over the whole area and nothing else had a chance to grow. So be very careful with such plants. You could probably contain the latter in a large bucket, though.

Claire, I think you mean the evergreen azalea (rhodos are always evergreen). My cousin in England has one and it is gorgeous. We have a yellow azelea in The Woodland but it is unfortunately one of the decidious ones. (the yellow ones smell heavenly).

You might also try the hardy garden fuchsia. It would give some height and make a nice contrast to perhaps some other taller things, ie, azelea, rhodo & co.

There are a great variety of hostas - but that is one of the slugs favourite foods (at least in England). Touch wood, mine have never been even nibbled on - so far.

Lords and Ladies are also nice - beautiful leaves and spathe flowers and later on, the berries. Unfortunately, they can be invasive, so you have to keep them in check.

Good luck with your Woodland.

 

Most of my gardens are woodland, you may few them for plant ideas on You tube under Estherredstar.

 

Guys, you are wonderful, a big Thank You for inspiration! I certainly plan to be invaded by bluebells and lilyofthevalleys!
What about summer? Bulbs tend to be early things, I'd love to have something coming up in deep and late summer as well. Any ideas?
The area is not very moist (being situated under a large tree) but easily watered. My ferns seem to grow well with some TLC.

 

Ok, 60 Bluebell bulbs, 6 Cyclamen and 3 Christmas Roses went in today. The Cyclamen look just so right, as if they had been growing just there always. I'm a bit wary with the Hellebori, but as they were £1.79 each in Morrisons I'm certainly giving them a chance.
I've learnt my lesson, don't fight it, make the most of what you've got. (This philosophy excludes my hardcore hi-tech underwear and hair thingies ), in the garden it seems to work.

Funny how small things can brighten up the day. Now even Mr Selleri, let alone the Mini-me were spending time in the back yard just admiring the tiny Cyclamen. A good Sunday, I'd say.