One of my favorite ongoing projects on our property is the slow and steady transformation of a small woodland area into a shade garden. This stretch of woods once served as the dividing line between what used to be two separate properties. When we acquired the land, this wooded section was dense with undergrowth and brush—untouched, wild, and full of potential.
Rather than clearing it all at once, I began by observing. I noticed a natural game trail running through the thicket, likely worn in over the years by deer and other wildlife passing through. That subtle path became my guide. Bit by bit, I began to shape it into a walkable trail that winds from my workshop and leads into the deeper back acreage.
As I cleared space, I made a conscious effort to preserve many of the native plants already thriving there—beautyberry bushes with their vivid purple clusters, feathery ferns that pop up like little green flags after a rain, and even some attractive arborvitae that seemed too happy where they were to disturb. These native plants form the backbone of the garden, and I’ve slowly been adding my own favorites in around them.
Vinca and Turk’s Cap help fill in shady spots beautifully, while yarrow and yews add texture and structure. Along the sunnier edges of the trail—where the morning light breaks through but still offers protection from Oklahoma’s harsh afternoon heat—I’ve tucked in herbs like rosemary and oregano. They not only smell wonderful when brushed against but also attract pollinators and resist our often dry conditions.
I don’t have a big budget for this garden, so everything happens in phases. Each season, I procure a few more plants, shrubs, or bulbs. Sometimes it’s a clearance rack find; sometimes it’s a pass-along plant from a friend. I’m in no rush. This isn’t the kind of project you knock out in a weekend—it’s one that evolves over time, and I’m enjoying that process.
I draw inspiration from a variety of sources. Laura LeBoutillier of Garden Answer has been one of my favorite content creators to follow. While her gardens are much more formal than mine will ever be, the techniques she shares (and her eye for color and layout) are incredibly helpful. She and her husband, Aaron, showcase a wide range of projects and plants—many from Proven Winners—that get my gears turning for what could work in my own space.
I also still turn to my longtime favorite garden expert, Howard Garrett, better known as “The Dirt Doctor.” His organic and native-plant-centered approach always reminds me to keep things natural and sustainable. His phrase “the Natural Way” isn’t just a gardening philosophy—it’s a mindset. And of course, he never lets me forget to “feed the birds.”
This little woodland garden may never look like something from a magazine, but it suits me—and it suits this land. It’s a place to slow down, work with what I have, and appreciate the beauty that’s already here.
Resources Mentioned: