Woodland Plants for Fragrance and Colorful Interest

When the ground is frozen and the days are short it is a good time to read and dream about what to plant when spring arrives. It is so much better to research and plan rather than just buy that impulse item because it has pink or red or yellow blooms. Every spring when I teach a landscape course through Gloucester County Community College I ask my students what is the first tool you pick up, few answer the pencil! Before teaching each semester I am motivated to really think about and read about many different plants to reinforce and augment a lifetime of experience in the garden. Although I still love a good book best, information is also available on the internet. (Although sometimes not as reliable, always check the source; remember it is a lot easier to post something on then internet than it is to write a book.)

I have been increasingly interested in plants that will do well locally without a lot of additional care. Although many of theses are native plants here in the Delaware Valley, others might be from far off places with similar conditions.

Most residential sites are a combination of sun and shade, but some were once a farm field so they are in full baking sun. Still others are in deeply wooded lots. It is important that the right plant for specific conditions be found. Since many local people have shady gardens in sites that were once oak woods, acid and sandy soils often go along with the shade. Thus the challenge becomes even more specific. It is so important to find the right plant for the spot it is worth any additional time to do some research before planting.

There are many good trees, shrubs and perennials that are just perfect for these situations. One plant that really does well in our semi-shaded garden, in a shrub border under some oaks is the Fothergilla. Here the area is somewhat shaded by big oaks, and the soil is on the sandy side and doesn't always get watered. This hardy plant is exceptionally handsome whether it sports its fuzzy fragrant white blooms in spring, its dark green foliage in summer or wears the bright yellow/orange/scarlet combo of fall. It is found to be comfortable all along the Eastern seaboard the Allegheny Mountains. Because of its need for acid soil, it often is a great under study plant for a site that has oaks or pines.

The fluffy white, fragrant spring blooms of Fothergilla make it really great for a residential landscape. It is usually 5-7 feet tall, but has been known to reach 10 feet in perfect conditions. A compact variety that only reaches 3 feet in height is F. gardenii. Although they do real well in semi-shaded spot, sunlight is good for lots of blooms when the soil has a lot of humus and is watered. Light mulch will insure a cool, moist root and thus a healthier plant. To keep the shrub small, prune or remove branches when it stops flowering. If this is pruned too late, next year's blooms will be cut off, so always prune as the old blooms fade.

Another white native that also blooms with a fluffy or loose white flower is the Itea virginica or Virginia Sweetspire. It comes out later than Fothergilla, but with a similar but much longer, almost Bottlebrush type of bloom. A tough plant, it is loved for its fragrant blooms and showy fall colors. It also is very easy to grow and like Fothergilla prefers moist, fertile soils, but will adapt to most soils and is surprisingly very drought tolerant. It will grow in part shade to sun. Mulch is essential to simulate a woodland environment, especially when the shrub is planted in the sun.

A third plant of similar requirements is the Enkianthus. Another shrub with spring beauty when it blooms with its pale cream, red veined bell like flowers, it also has very colorful fall foliage. This one can take well-drained acidic soil in part shade. It is so beautiful that it should be given a choice spot in a shaded setting. It may reach a graceful 10-15 feet in height.

Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata), Mountain Laurel (Kalmia), and the many Viburnums (pictured above) with bloom and berries all have similar needs. All of these plants can provide beauty and color throughout the year. Plant these interesting additions under large shade trees, along evergreen borders or as part of a foundation planting for something a bit different. Most are best planted in early spring, but potted or balled plants can be planted almost any time of the year as long as the ground is not frozen solid. All new plantings must be watered well and mulched. Since they are all woodland plants it is essential to add good leafy humus to the soil but any compost will help enhance the soil.

Plan also to plant some woodland perennials to compliment these plants. Spring bloomers would include columbines, Virginia Bluebells, Foam Flowers, Jack in the Pulpit, May apples, Trillium, Blood Root, Hellebores, Christmas/Lenten Rose and fragrant violets, as well as Crocus, Hyacinths and Daffodil bulbs. Another good plant for this situation is Heuchera or Coral Bells and there is an even great fall blooming variety called Heuchera villosa 'Autumn Bride'. Later on in the season Astilbe, Hosta, Toad Lilies and fall Anemones will all add to the wildflower garden look in your part shade woodland garden. (Most important, don't get rid of any leaves, pile them in a ring to make compost for the woodland garden.)

If the area is large there are others to consider such as Clethra anifolia, Calycanthus, and Glossy Abelia, all of which bloom with fragrant flowers and will do well in most any soils here in the Delaware Valley. These plants are wise choices because they can tolerate seasonal wet spells, as well as droughts and attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Look these plants up now in Michael Dirr's Manual of Wood Plants which is the very best book about trees and shrubs. Visit a local arboretum, display gardens or Longwood Gardens in late spring or early summer to see these, and many more in full season glory.

Lorraine Kiefer is the owner of Triple Oaks Nursery and has been a garden writer since 1972. Click here to email her.