Re: Where to start
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] Where to start
- From: B* D*
- Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2001 08:26:22 -0500
As I recall, there is a rather good article on this subject in the old
Paul Aden HOSTA book: "A Woodland Setting for Hostas" by Lillian
Eichelberger Cannon. Ken Druse's THE NATURAL SHADE GARDEN has some
inspiring photos and a bit of text. Carolyn Harstad's GO NATIVE! talks
about landscaping with native plants for the Lower Midwest--basically
zones 5 and 6--and specifically tells how to make a natural shade garden
in the woods. She has done it.
Yes, you could clear it out a bit. Then you need to identify the trees and
shrubs you have growing that you want to keep, remove the rest, put in
some paths, and then fill in the rest of the garden. Do you have acidic or
alkaline soil? That largely determines what will be happy growing there.
Make sure you know what ephemerals bloom there each spring (there must be
some), and don't destroy them in the process of clearing. They are
delightful plants and some may even be rare plants. Are there good
gardeners in your area who are doing the same thing? Get to know them and
benefit from their advice and the plants they share with you. But be
careful about putting in any invasive plants you might be sorry about
later.
Keep us posted on your progress and have fun.
Bobbi Diehl
Bloomington, IN
zone 5/6
On Sat, 10 Mar 2001, Brown wrote:
> I'm planning to start to landscape my front yard this summer. Its is all
> natural woods that we have not done anything with. I plan to keep it woodsy
> (not cut down all the trees and have lawn) and shade garden. I just am not
> sure where to start. Perhaps cutting out deadwood and scrub spruce. I guess
> I'm not sure of the order I should apply to the project. I have ideas but no
> clear plan. What do you think.
> Sue B.
> Zone5, NS
>
>
