The woodland garden

The previous owners of our home left a west-facing “woodland” sideyard planted with natives and drought tolerant plants. We inherited natives such as salal, sword and maiden hair ferns, woodland violets, and oxalis. Some of the mature and drought tolerant plantings are hydrangea, mexican orange, two unidentifed roses, tulips, grape hyacinth, russian sage, a bevy of hostas, and sedums. We also inherited bindweed, thistle, and pigweed but you take what you can get. In the late autumn we planted snowdrop, tulip, and narcissus bulbs. February and March we added helebores, coastal strawberries, and korean ferns. The woodland boasts a 50+ year-old horse chestnut tree that has the best swing ever, every child in the neighborhood loves that swing.

I love this sideyard and its idyllic feel. It is cool in the warmer days with the shade of the trees and even overgrown looks lush and healthy and tended.