Wooldland area at top of garden
25 September 2026
Wooldland area at top of garden — version 2
Proposed planting — quantities and suitability need adviser confirmation.
Rhododendrons are added at the back of the new border to enhance structure and create a naturalistic transition from the herbaceous planting into the established shrub and woodland backdrop. These evergreen shrubs anchor the border, support the visual shift towards shade, and provide rich spring colour. The proposal carefully preserves all existing planting and hard landscaping, with the main spring display from bulbs and shade-loving perennials at the fore.
PLANT LIST
1. Rhododendron yakushimanum 'Percy Wiseman' — quantity: 2
Position: Back, spaced along rear border
Spacing: To confirm
Mature height: 1.2m
Mature spread: 1.0m
Season: Mid to late spring
Why it fits: Compact habit, pastel flower trusses, transitions subtly into existing shrubs
2. Rhododendron 'Cunningham's White' — quantity: 1
Position: Back corner, part-shade spot
Spacing: To confirm
Mature height: 1.5m
Mature spread: 1.2m
Season: Late spring
Why it fits: Tolerant of clay, reliable white spring flowers, evergreen structure
3. Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten Rose) — quantity: 7
Position: Middle/front in drifts
Spacing: To confirm
Mature height: 0.4m
Mature spread: 0.5m
Season: Spring
Why it fits: Early flowers, evergreen foliage, copes with shade and clay
4. Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' — quantity: 6
Position: Front/middle, grouped
Spacing: To confirm
Mature height: 0.4m
Mature spread: 0.6m
Season: Spring
Why it fits: Silvery foliage, blue forget-me-not flowers, clay tolerant
5. Pulmonaria 'Trevi Fountain' — quantity: 5
Position: Front edge
Spacing: To confirm
Mature height: 0.3m
Mature spread: 0.4m
Season: Spring
Why it fits: Speckled leaves, blue spring flowers, partial shade tolerant
6. Dryopteris filix-mas (Male Fern) — quantity: 3
Position: Back/middle, spaced apart
Spacing: To confirm
Mature height: 0.8m
Mature spread: 0.7m
Season: All year
Why it fits: Structural, evergreen fronds, shade and clay tolerant
7. Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae — quantity: 4
Position: Middle, towards shadiest areas
Spacing: To confirm
Mature height: 0.5m
Mature spread: 0.6m
Season: Spring
Why it fits: Evergreen, lime green spring bracts, tough
8. Lamprocapnos spectabilis (Bleeding Heart) — quantity: 5
Position: Middle/front in groups
Spacing: To confirm
Mature height: 0.7m
Mature spread: 0.5m
Season: Spring
Why it fits: Elegant shape, arching stems with pink-white spring flowers
9. Primula vulgaris (Native Primrose) — quantity: To confirm
Position: Front, dotted along border
Spacing: To confirm
Mature height: 0.15m
Mature spread: 0.2m
Season: Spring
Why it fits: Native, cheerful spring flowers, good for pollinators
10. Geranium phaeum 'Samobor' — quantity: 5
Position: Middle/back, interplanted
Spacing: To confirm
Mature height: 0.5m
Mature spread: 0.5m
Season: Spring to early summer
Why it fits: Shade tolerant, deep purple spring flowers, handsome foliage
11. Camassia leichtlinii — quantity: To confirm
Position: Mid/back in small drifts
Spacing: To confirm
Mature height: 0.7m
Mature spread: 0.15m
Season: Late spring
Why it fits: Tolerates clay, spikes of blue starry flowers in later spring
12. Polystichum setiferum (Soft Shield Fern) — quantity: 3
Position: Back/middle, shadiest spots
Spacing: To confirm
Mature height: 0.6m
Mature spread: 0.6m
Season: All year
Why it fits: Textural evergreen fronds, thrives in shade and moisture
13. Anemone nemorosa (Wood Anemone) — quantity: To confirm
Position: Front/middle, mixed
Spacing: To confirm
Mature height: 0.2m
Mature spread: 0.2m
Season: Early to mid spring
Why it fits: Naturalises under shrubs, classic woodland spring white flowers
INTEREST THROUGH THE YEAR
Spring peaks with Hellebores, Brunnera, Pulmonaria, Primroses, Bleeding Hearts and Camassia alongside the new and existing rhododendrons. Woodland bulbs (Anemone nemorosa, Primula) flower at the front, and ferns and Euphorbia provide year-round structure. Late spring sees Camassia and Geranium phaeum sustain colour into early summer. The Rhododendrons offer showy blooms in mid to late spring, followed by fine evergreen texture.
ONGOING CARE
Care notes were not recorded in this version. Ask your GardenAdvice adviser to add a care plan.
DETAILS TO CONFIRM
Soil pH assumed slightly acid to neutral for Rhododendron success; minor amendment (ericaceous compost) may be required in planting pockets. Border receives shelter from wind and moderate light in partial shade. Quantities determined for mature spacing. Existing shrubs, backdrop hedging and trees are retained undisturbed.
