{"id":1155,"date":"2026-05-24T15:32:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T14:32:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/tracy\/?p=1155"},"modified":"2026-05-24T16:47:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T15:47:57","slug":"developing-the-woodland-type-borders-for-tracys-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/tracy\/developing-the-woodland-type-borders-for-tracys-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"Developing the Woodland Type Borders for Tracy\u2019s Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"975\" src=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/tracy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/187\/2026\/05\/plant.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1159\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/tracy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/187\/2026\/05\/plant.jpg 650w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/tracy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/187\/2026\/05\/plant-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/tracy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/187\/2026\/05\/plant-520x780.jpg 520w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/tracy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/187\/2026\/05\/plant-320x480.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center alignwide wp-block-paragraph\">Dodecatheon<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The proposed planting for the borders is designed to create a soft woodland-style garden with colour and interest throughout the year, while still keeping the planting relatively compact and manageable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The overall aim is to combine bulbs, low-growing foliage plants, flowering perennials, and a few structural shrubs to produce a natural layered effect. The planting will provide changing interest from late winter through until autumn, with many plants also contributing attractive foliage through the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The borders are divided into two main planting areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The right-hand border looking out from the house, which appears to be slightly more acidic and moisture-retentive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The left-hand border looking out from the house, which appears to suit more general perennial planting.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Right-Hand Border as you look out from the house (Acidic Woodland Border)<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This side is particularly suitable for woodland-style plants that enjoy slightly acidic soil conditions and a cooler root run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Late Winter to Early Spring Interest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Snowdrops (Galanthus)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Winter cyclamen (Cyclamen coum)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Winter aconites (Eranthis hyemalis)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hellebores (Helleborus orientalis)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Anemone blanda<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These plants provide the first signs of colour from January onwards and help create a natural woodland appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Spring Flowering<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Drumstick primulas (Primula denticulata)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Brunnera macrophylla<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pulmonaria<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dodecatheon meadia<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Trilliums<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Epimedium<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Iris reticulata<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This combination should give excellent spring colour in whites, blues, mauves and soft pinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Late Spring into Early Summer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Candelabra primulas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dicentra (Bleeding Heart)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Solomon\u2019s Seal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Foxgloves<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tiarella<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These plants provide height and movement while still maintaining a soft woodland character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summer Flowering<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Astrantia<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Astilbe<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hydrangea \u2018Annabelle\u2019<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hydrangea serrata<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The hydrangeas and astilbes will help carry the border through midsummer while maintaining a cool colour palette.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Late Summer into Autumn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Aster \u2018Monch\u2019<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Japanese anemones<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cyclamen hederifolium<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Autumn crocus (Colchicum)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This planting should continue flowering well into autumn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Evergreen and Structural Plants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Skimmia japonica<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Heucheras<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Soft shield fern<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carex \u2018Evergold\u2019<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bergenia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These provide year-round structure and help keep the borders attractive even through winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fence or Wall Planting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A possible climber for the fence or wall is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Particularly one of the slightly smaller-growing forms with especially attractive white flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Left-Hand Border as you look out of the house (General Perennial Border)<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This side can be slightly more open and informal, with longer flowering perennial planting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Late Winter to Early Spring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Snowdrops<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Crocus<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Winter cyclamen<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Iris reticulata<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Spring Flowering<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Drumstick primulas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Brunnera<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dodecatheon<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pulmonaria<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dicentra<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Late Spring into Early Summer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Foxgloves<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Candelabra primulas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Geranium \u2018Rozanne\u2019<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Astrantia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summer Flowering<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hydrangea \u2018Annabelle\u2019<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Astilbe<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Geranium \u2018Rozanne\u2019<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Late Summer into Autumn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Aster \u2018Monch\u2019<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Japanese anemones<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cyclamen hederifolium<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Autumn crocus<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Evergreen Structure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Heucheras<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bergenia<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carex \u2018Evergold\u2019<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overall Garden Effect<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The overall planting scheme should feel soft, natural and layered, with bulbs and cyclamen weaving underneath larger perennials and hydrangeas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The planting palette focuses mainly on whites, pale blues, mauves, soft pinks and silver foliage, helping to create a calm woodland atmosphere throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The use of evergreen foliage plants, ferns and grasses should also help ensure the borders retain structure and interest during winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the borders establish, the planting should gradually naturalise and become increasingly full and cohesive, while still remaining relatively low maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Suggested Planting Style<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The planting would work best in generous drifts rather than individual specimens. Repeating groups of plants such as primulas, cyclamen, astrantia and brunnera through the borders should help visually tie the whole garden together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Allowing bulbs and cyclamen to naturalise through the borders will also help create a more established woodland effect over time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dodecatheon The proposed planting for the borders is designed to create a soft woodland-style garden with colour and interest throughout the year, while still keeping the planting relatively compact and manageable. The overall aim&#46;&#46;&#46;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1159,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1155","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gardening-notes"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/tracy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1155","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/tracy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/tracy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/tracy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/tracy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1155"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/tracy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1155\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/tracy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1159"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/tracy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1155"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/tracy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1155"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/tracy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1155"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}