Spring Woodland Flowers - Southern Living

Photo: Van Chaplin,

Give them Light

Woodland flowers grow best if given some sun. Heavy shade permits little to grow, while dappled light is ideal. To improve existing conditions, limb up mature trees and thin crowns if canopies are dense.

Photo: Van Chaplin,

Improve Your Soil

Begin with a soil test. Though these flowers will live in acid conditions, many thrive in nearly neutral soil with a pH range of 6.5 to 7. These plants want loose, friable soil with good drainage (especially in winter). Add organic matter. Edmund layered 6 inches of composted leaves and wood chips several months before planting.

Photo: Van Chaplin,

Plant High

Crowns should be just below or right at the soil line. “More woodland plants are lost due to deep planting than any other mistake,” says Edmund. In nature, wildflowers grow on top of the mineral soil in the duff of decayed leaves and twigs and their roots spread out horizontally, not vertically. Finish by mulching. This insulates roots, conserves moisture, smothers weeds, and looks nice too. Shredded bark, decayed leaves, and pine straw are good choices.

Photo: Van Chaplin,

Feed Them

Edmund’s flowers have responded well to good fertilizer and water. Slow-release plant foods such as Osmocote and cottonseed meal make a difference when flowers start self-seeding. Fertilizer is instrumental in stimulating young plant growth, shortening the length of time prior to bloom.

Here are some great options for your woodland garden.

Photo: Van Chaplin,

'Pagoda' Trout Lilly

(Erythronium ‘Pagoda’)
This elegant plant is a reliable bloomer. Don’t move it once it’s established. plantdelights.com

Photo: Van Chaplin,

Greek Windflower

(Anemone blanda)
Easy to find, this common spring tuber produces spreading mats of color. Plant in fall. hollandbulbfarms.com

Photo: Van Chaplin,

Bloodroot

(Sanguinaria canadensis)
This iconic woodland flower has attractive, near evergreen leaves. Responds well to fertilizer and water. we-du.com

Photo: Van Chaplin,

Shooting Star

(Dodecatheon meadia)
Enchanting flowers best viewed up close. Plant where they can be appreciated. Good cut flower. easywildflowers.com

Photo: Van Chaplin,

Toadshade

(Trillium cuneatum)
This plant is early-emerging and fragrant. Edmund says that fertilizer and a soil pH of 6.5 encourage carpet-like coverage. swallowtailgardens.net

Photo: Edmund Taylor,

'Vestal' Wood Anemone

(Anemone nemorosa ‘Vestal’)
It’s rare but worth seeking out. arrowhead-alpines.com

Photo: Edmund Taylor,

'King of Hearts' Bleeding Heart

(Dicentra ‘King of Hearts’)
Great plant for more experienced gardeners. Blooms for months. Pair with wild blue phlox. swallowtailgardens.net

Photo: Van Chaplin,

Celadine Poppy

(Stylophorum diphyllum)
Deer tolerant. Great for beginners. easywildflowers.com

Plant Your Own Woodland Garden

Give them Light

Improve Your Soil

Plant High

Feed Them

'Pagoda' Trout Lilly

Greek Windflower

Bloodroot

Shooting Star

Toadshade

'Vestal' Wood Anemone

'King of Hearts' Bleeding Heart

Celadine Poppy