"Jean B." wrote in message
...
Vox Humana wrote:

"Jean B." wrote in message
...

One of my favorite topics to ponder is wooodland gardening. My property
abuts an area of woods, and I am letting part of my property go back to
nature (pretty much). I am going down there to weed out the obvious
noxious weeds (which I am defining as things that have shown a
propensity for taking over the universe if left unchecked). I have also
been putting in some plants, semi-randomly. Therein lies some
questions. Would you put in nice woodland plants to speed up the
process? Would you put them in fairly randomly, on the grounds that
they would appear that way in nature? I seem to be gravitating toward
things that have white blooms, some variation in leaf color, some
attraction for wildlife.

Any suggestions for good plants, keeping the above in mind, and the fact
that the area gets partial sun at best (more this year because of the
d--ned caterpillers that I mentioned a while ago) and is a bit
damp--even collecting some water in the winter. The soil is acidic--and
it is very rocky. (Therein lies another question. I would REALLY like
to find sources for tiny seedlings, because it is VERY hard to plant
bigger plants back there.) I am in zone 5, but like plants to be rated
down to 4, because of the brutally cold winter we had the year before

last.

Thanks.... BTW, I do keep doing searches, looking at Paghat's
(wonderful) site, etc., and I am sort-of inching along.... I did find a
nice little vine at a nursery this week and had to come back here and
check it out before I bought it. Methinks it will be glorious.


You might want to look at the search feature at Bluestone Perennials
http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/b...earch_mod.html

They sell rather small plants. Also, many of the plants they recommend
for
zone 4 shade/acid soil can be easily propagated from seed. Thompson and
Morgan sells a wide range of seed that you could start yourself. I
think
one issue might be the fact that it is wet. Standing water in the
winter
will do-in most plants.


Thanks! I should say there is a varying degree of moisture. There
usually is not standing water/ice anywhere, but it is possible at the
rearmost part of the area in question. Other parts just don't get
really dry--which I view as a good thing for some plants.

This is gonna sound stupid (and it feels stupid), but I have a black
thumb and am not even sure I can sprout seeds, so I prefer tiny plants.
I am trying to get past this block though, since it opens up so many
more possibilities.

I understand about the fear of propagating plants from seeds. A few years
ago I found some seeds at deep discount so I gave it a try. Nearly all of
the seeds sprouted, and I only lost a dollar or two on the seeds that
didn't. The return on investment was enormous. This time of year you will
find stores clearing out their seeds. You can get some sterile potting
medium and sow the seeds in a margarine tub. You don't need a lot of
equipment and since it is warm and sunny outside, you can just start them
outside and skip the lights and mess indoors. That said, there is nothing
wrong with buying plants. Bluestone Perennials and Springhill Nursery both
sell very small plants (in cell packs or bare root).

You might check your region for botanical gardens. Taking a few trips to
these gardens will give you some good ideas about design and plant
selection. Conservation of wetlands is an a hot area of interest. You
might have some bogs in your area that are open to visitors. That would be
a good resource for areas that constantly wet.

A third resource would be a library or large bookstore. You can browse the
garden section to find books on woodland gardening.