
Herbs in a Woodland Garden
A lot of herb lovers think because they have a shaded garden space they
cannot grow herbs. An exception to this pattern is the foxglove which is specially adapted to grow in woodland clearings. Foxglove seeds need light to germinate, and can remain dormant for years until a clearing appears in the trees. This biennial pattern means that at first you need to replant foxgloves annually to supplement those that self-seed and to guarantee flowers each year. Sweet cicely and Geranium robertianum often self-seed prolifically, whereas periwinkle and sweet woodruff are rampant spreaders. If your woodland is not to become a jungle you will have to be ruthless about weeding out seedlings and runners. Following is a list of 'some' herbs that do well in a woodland setting.
Convallaria majalis; Lily of the Valley Planting under certain types of trees can be a problem. The shallow roots of maple, horse chestnut, or beech trees, for example, will absorb all the nearby water and nutrients. Some herbs, however, can tolerate these conditions. Creeping thyme does well. However, try not to plant any closer than six feet from the trunk (the 'experts' say this, but I have herbs planted a lot closer than that ) Evergreen trees prefer a slightly acid soil. Herbs that will grow well with these trees are sweet woodruff, bloodroot, and snakeroot. |