Low Care Natives in the Woodland Garden

Recent years have shown a new (and in some cases a renewed) interest in growing native plants in the garden, most frequently seen in the form of pollinator gardens. These are landscapes planted with the purpose of providing pollen and nectar for bees and other wildlife to stay in the area, thus maintaining and growing habitats and ecosystems. Frequently thought of and seen as colorful wildflowers, not all natives need to have bright flowering petals to be effective in the garden. This group is also often thought to be a gangly, spindly, and scrubby type of plant growing in a forest or next to a water body. While perhaps not always as well shaped as their garden center counterparts, many native plants provide beautiful structure and seasonal interest.

What’s the big deal with natives, anyway? By definition, a native is anything indigenous to a specific place of origin or growth. How this relates to plants means that they prefer the soil, climate, and precipitation of the areas of the world they hail from. This is important since a plant will grow and thrive with relative ease if it is in a place that it wants to be with little external intervention. Long term, this means less watering, less fertilizer or soil amendments, and often more resistance to pests and disease. Starting with an example of a dappled light, part sun garden, here are a few of our favorites.

Amelanchier canadensis, Shadblow Serviceberry. Considered a small tree or a large shrub growing to a height of 25/30’ (but probably averaging around 20’) and 15’ wide, this is a great choice equally suited for screening or just general garden structure and height. Shad prefers a medium, well drained soil, but we have seen it tolerant various conditions. Early spring will see the blooming of slightly fragrant white flowers, giving way to purple/black berries which are edible and can be used for jams or baking. Songbirds as well as other wildlife love to munch on them. In the winter the elephant gray bark and form is really showcased (we like the multi-stem version best), but our favorite attribute of Amelanchier canadensis is the quintessential New England bright orange and red fall color.

Hydrangea quercifolia, Oakleaf Hydrangea. Having no relation to oak trees aside from a similar shaped leaf, this is a great shrub for the dappled sun and woodland garden. Technically native of the Southeastern part of the country, Oakleaf Hydrangea is a tough plant that we have seen pull through some brutal New England winters. ‘Pee Wee’ is an excellent choice for the average garden, since the shrub tops out at 3/4’ tall and wide. The long lasting conical white flowers appear in June to July, which eventually fade to a pink and brown by late summer (and look cool cut and dried). Oakleaf Hydrangea will tolerate sun to part shade (and deeper shade as well, though in our experience will get fewer blooms and the shrub will get rather leggy), and a medium, well drained soil. When autumn rolls around these shrubs will be set ablaze with burgundy and red colors. No major pests or diseases make this hydrangea an easy care option, and they are not the first choice for deer.

Dennstaedtia punctilobula, Hay Scented Fern. A favorite for the perennial layer, Hay Scented Fern offers lush, easy grown foliage that is at home with the two woody plants above. Like most ferns, its preference is for shade but it will tolerate some sun if the soil is kept relatively moist (it will grow in dryer conditions once established as well). Coming in at about 1.5-2’ in height, these ferns do a great job of bridging the gap between the ground and the mid layer of shrubs. It does spread, so it’s best planted in a place you want naturalized or at least in a location where you don’t mind if it takes over. In the fall the Hay Scented Fern will turn an eye catching golden yellow before dying back to the ground. Like most ferns, this one is rabbit and deer resistant. Oh, and the name? When crushed or broken, the fronds smell like hay that has been recently cut.