BLOOMING TIMES
WOODLAND Gems
The term ‘woodland’ instantly conjures up an image of a vast acreage, complete with ancient trees. Plants labelled ideal for a woodland setting are often assumed to be unsuitable by folk with just a modest-sized plot to offer – but, think again, says Flo Whitaker
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n early spring, sunlight filters through the bare branches of a deciduous wood, illuminating grounddwelling plants. They enjoy gentle sunshine, but dislike heat, so rely on emerging tree foliage to provide a shady summer canopy. Come winter, falling leaves add nutrients to the soil. Once again, sunlight penetrates the woodland floor – and the cycle continues. So, from a plant’s perspective,
“woodland” can be simply defined as “light shade with humus-rich soil.” No matter how small your garden, if you have deciduous shrubs or a deciduous tree, you can utilise the ground underneath as a miniature habitat for shade-worshippers. Here are three easy woodland characters to try – you’ll find pots of them in the garden centres about now! Wood anemone, (Anemone nemorosa) is a native ‘wild’ plant that also thrives in a border. Extremely slowgrowing; (taking about 100 years to cover a metre of ground!) it produces elegantly dissected leaves, (20 cms high) and flowers in early spring. If, on a countryside ramble, you chance upon a vast carpet of anemones, pause to admire their beauty – and tenacity. That colony may be thousands of years old. Attractive
pinky/mauve cultivars are also available, but nemorosa, with its exquisite starry white flowers, is hard to beat. On a warm day, the scent from the tiny purple or white blooms of common violets, (Viola odorata) carries a considerable distance. They enjoy a damp border, or the cool shade at the base of a hedge. All cultivated violas, (and their large-
Wood anemone, (Anemone nemorosa) is a native ‘wild’ plant that also thrives in a garden border flowered cousins, pansies) are related to the common violet. There are many viola cultivars in an array of colours that can be utilised in a woodland themed display. Species cyclamen, (10 - 15 cms) produce dainty, fragile-looking flowers – but are super-hardy. Their February 2022 | SUSSEX LIVING 53
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