It’s no secret that we British love our gardens. As soon as the sun comes out, most people flock to their outdoor area to enjoy a BBQ, and there’s nothing like relaxing with a nice cold drink after a stressful day.
Gardens aren’t all made equal, though, and there are plenty of designs and styles to choose between. While some prefer rustic gardens, others might opt for a more contemporary design.
One garden type that continues to grow in popularity is the woodland garden. In this post, we’ll reveal what a woodland garden is and how you can add one to your outdoor area.
What Is a Woodland Garden?
A woodland garden is a type of garden that replicates the natural environment, usually with native plants in a mixed forest. They are popular because they can be created for any size or shape and don’t require a lot of upkeep.
While contemporary gardens use more hardscaping components and traditional gardens are full of colourful plants, a woodland design is all about connecting with nature.
What Are The Benefits of a Woodland Garden?
Many benefits come from adding a woodland garden to your home, including:
- Energy Efficiency: Trees provide shade, which means you won’t need a fan or air conditioner during the summer.
- Improved Air Quality: Woodland gardens improve air quality by filtering dust particles in the air and removing carbon dioxide, which is why many people with respiratory conditions prefer them over other garden types.
- Kids Love Them: Nothing beats a woodland garden if you want to impress your kids. You can even add tyre swings and hammocks to give your little ones hours of fun.
- Attract Wildlife: Woodland gardens are also great for wildlife, providing a home for insects, birds and other animals. If you’re lucky, you may even see a deer or fox wandering through your garden!
How Do I Create a Woodland Garden?
There are a few things you’ll need to consider when creating your woodland garden, including the size of your garden, how much you’ll need to do and your available budget.
Remember, woodland gardens are stunning, but they can be tricky to implement. It’s essential to take your time with the design and think about every little detail.
Which Plants Work With Woodland Gardens?
The first is the plants you’ll use – make sure to select those native to your area and will thrive in the conditions you provide. You can either plant them yourself or ask your local garden centre for help.
Bulbs are excellent for woodland gardens because they come back year after year and don’t require regular maintenance.
Perennials are another excellent option because they only need minimal care and provide a colourful display throughout spring, summer and autumn.
Ferns work great in these types of gardens because the foliage adds an extra dimension to the design. Plus, ferns don’t mind shady conditions, so you can place them in areas that other plants might not thrive.
Add a Water Feature
A vital component of any woodland garden is a water feature. This could be as simple as a small pond or stream or something elaborate like a waterfall. Not only does a water feature look beautiful, but it also helps to create the right atmosphere and ambience for a woodland garden.
If you’re not sure how to go about adding a water feature to your garden, there are plenty of resources available online or at your local hardware store.
Incorporate Structures and Furniture
While it’s important to keep the design of your woodland garden as natural as possible, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make it a relaxing space. After all, you want to sit and enjoy the tranquillity, right?
Benches are a great idea because they replicate the feeling of being in your favourite forest, and you can choose other forms of wooden furniture to bring the design to life.
Why not add a hammock and cool seats with netting for younger family members if you want to go all out?
Add Winding Pathways
This idea works best with larger spaces because there’s more room to explore – but you can still add a pathway for smaller gardens. Instead of creating a path that sections the garden, try to make it less restrictive.
Winding paths are excellent for this because they let people find their way around the garden while retaining that air of mystery. Bark chips and gravel are the best options for a woodland garden, but feel free to explore other materials.
Tips to Plan For Your Woodland Garden
Woodland gardens are stunning to look at, but you do need to think about the scope of the work and whether you need some professional help.
If you’re planting trees and incorporating pathways, it might be beneficial to use a landscape company that specialises in woodland garden design because these jobs require detailed planning.
Some other things you should consider:
Budget: How much are you willing to spend on your garden? It can be challenging to create a woodland theme if your outdoor space is relatively urban, so you might need to invest a lot of money into your garden.
Longevity: Woodland gardens are stunning, but they also require a lot of time and planning. If you’re not sure whether you’ll stay in your current home for the next few years, it’s probably best to choose another theme.
Experience: If you have lots of DIY knowledge, you can use your skills to incorporate pathways and furniture into your woodland garden, which will inevitably save you money on professional services.
The Bottom Line
So, there you have it; everything you need to create a woodland garden. While a woodland theme is more time consuming than others, such as urban and cottage gardens, they’re worth the extra effort.
If you want to attract wildlife into your garden and enjoy the peace and serenity nature brings, you can combine wooden furniture to create the ultimate garden that you’ll continue to love for many years.
Remember, if you need some help to plan and incorporate your woodland garden, the team at Floral & Hardy is here to offer support and advice.
Are you unsure about the cost of landscaping? Check out our extensive guide here.
