Woodland shade — Madison
A bare strip under mature oaks replanted into a layered shade garden of ferns, sedges, and native groundcovers. End of year one.
A long strip under three mature white oaks had been a yearly battle of mulch and English ivy. The roots were everywhere, the shade was deep, and almost nothing the previous owners planted had taken.
We worked with the conditions instead of against them. Pennsylvania sedge as the matrix groundcover, Christmas fern and wood fern for height and structure, foamflower for spring bloom, golden ragwort for early yellow, and a few wild geraniums tucked in where the dappled light was strongest. No amendment, no tilling — just careful planting between the roots.
End of year one, the garden looks settled. End of year two, it will look planted by nature.
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End of year one. Christmas ferns and Pennsylvania sedge starting to knit.
Could your yard be next?
I take on a small number of new projects each season so each one gets real attention. If you'd like to start a conversation, I'd love to hear about your space.