• Hostas come in different shades of green, sometimes with cream edging, and do well in shady areas.Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images
  
  Woodland gardens are useful for shaded areas, especially under large trees in your yard, since that is where they grow in nature. They are also low maintenance, since the woodland plants are used to surviving on rain water. Woodland garden plants have varied colors, blooms and textures that can be mixed together in surprising ways. Planting is best done in the spring or autumn, when the weather is cooler. This will ensure that your new plants settle in well.
  
  

Shade Levels

• Before planning your woodland garden, you need to determine just how shaded the area really is. One or two trees will shade an area for most of the day but as the sun moves, the area underneath may get a few hours of sunlight. Different woodland plants like different amounts of sunlight, so check their requirements before planting. For lightly shaded areas try plants such as the pachysandra, which has green or green and cream leaves in addition to white spring blooms. The bleeding-heart plant will do better in full shade, producing the bright pink or white flowers it's famous for.
  
  

Soil

• When designing your woodland garden, be sure to enrich the soil for better performance from your plants. In natural woodlands, pine needles and leaves as well as decaying plant matter create a rich humus that helps the plants thrive. You can mimic this by digging organic matter like compost, decomposed bark or leaves into the top 6 inches of soil.
  
  

Ferns

• Ferns in your woodland garden instantly create a deep forest feel, bringing the right mood. These plants also serve to act as a windbreak, especially when placed around the borders of your garden. Smaller, more delicate plants, can benefit from being shielded from strong winds.
  
  

Garden Features

• Adding interesting features to your woodland garden can make it interesting even in the winter when your plants are dormant. A bird feeder or bird bath will bring feathered friends to the area. Rock features, such as a large interesting rock in the center of smaller alpine type woodland plants can encourage moss growth. Since the garden is shaded, it may be an ideal place for people, as well as your plants, in the hot summer months. Add a bench or chair for relaxing in and enjoying your garden.