10 Woodland Garden Shrubs – Shrubs for woodland gardens

This article contains affiliate links

---

---

​Shrubs are one of the most important elements within woodland gardens. Not only do shrubs provide interest and colour they also help to form a layered canopy structure.

Shrubs will generally cover a wide spectrum of different sizes and growing habits. This can range from small trees to dense ground covers and physical boundary hedges. Such attributes makes shrubs such a functional part of woodland garden design.

Shrubs can enable you to create dense thickets, visual barriers and marvellous walls of texture and foliage. In this article I list and summarise 10 shrubs perfect for woodland garden planting design.

​From large to small, evergreen and wildlife friendly we have something for every woodland paradise here. 

1. Witch hazel

​Scientifically known as Hamamelis, Witch hazel has always been valued for its striking winter blooms with unusual scent. It is well known for its medicinal properties and use within the skin care industry. This shrub flowers in early spring generally around February time displaying colours of yellow, orange and red. It has oval leaves with slightly jagged edges which display the most radiant autumn colour during fall. 

​2. Flowering current

​Also known by its Latin name (Ribes sanguineum) this deciduous shrub is loved for its decorative foliage and colourful flowers. Origionally from Western North America, this shrub never grows too large or gets out of control. This makes it absolutely perfect for smaller woodland gardens or lower canopy planting. During spring it produces weeping clusters of very attractive white, pink and red flowers. 

​3. Elder

​Commonly known as Elderberry this shrub is well known for both its berries and scented flowers. The flowers are used to flavour drinks while berries can be made into jams and chutneys. These shrubs are very widespread being native to Eurasia as well as North Africa. They have a tolerance to most growing conditions as well as shady woodland gardens. 

​4. Viburnum Tinus

​Native to the Mediterranean this evergreen shrub provides plenty of glossy foliage and attractive white flowers. In late summer its flowers give way to small metallic blue berries which are a novelty. In woodland gardens this shrub provides plenty of year round interest and shelter for wildlife. Being able to tolerate both part shade and dry conditions it can thrive around the canopies of larger trees. 

​5. Sarcococca

​Also known as ‘Sweet box’ or ‘Christmas box’ Sarcococca is an evergreen shrub originally from Asia. These shrubs are much loved for their glossy leaves and scented white flowers during winter time. The flowers are small but give off a powerful scent which can travel some distance. The flowers are followed by dark shiny berries which add some extra seasonal interest. The Sweet box has the ability to thrive in shady areas making it suitable for woodland garden designs. 

6. ​Aucuba Japonica

​Commonly referred to as the ‘Spotted Laurel’ Aucuba is an evergreen shrub originally from East Asia and Japan. This shrub is particularly favoured for its large glossy leaves with golden speckling. In autumn the female plant produces bright red berries providing a bold visual contrast. Aucuba can tolerate a range of soil types and shady conditions making it the perfect candidate for woodland gardens. 

​7. Rhododendron 

​Rhododendron is a wide ranging genus of evergreen shrub typically originating from the Himalayas. These shrubs can produce a dense under canopy to surrounding trees creating a sheltered habitat for wildlife.  During spring they erupt in clusters of colourful flowers with colours ranging from white to purple. These shrubs do prefers to grow in acidic soil so some soil amelioration may be necessary. Top of Form

​8. Buddleia

​Buddliea has long been famous for its ability to attract many species of moth and butterfly. Being native to Africa, Asia and the Americas this shrub is extremely widespread and tolerant of many growing conditions. During summer it produces fragrant flowers loved by a whole range of pollinating insects. Buddleia can easily survive in shallow soil and put up with dry shady growing conditions. It makes an effective lower canopy shrub for woodland gardens. 

​9. Phillidelphus

​Phillidelphus is a medium sized shrub much loved for its strongly scented and attractive white flowers. Native to Europe, Asia and North America these shrubs are very adaptable of growing positions and soil types. Although generally low maintenance these shrubs do coppice and pollard well. They make a great lower canopy specimen and fragrance plant for woodland gardens. 

​10. Hydrangea 

​Hydrangea belongs to a genus of flowering plants much loved for their large foliage and stunning flowers. Native to Asia and the Americas these shrubs are not particularly fussy and can tolerate part shade. The flowers come in a range of colours including; blue, purple, pink, white. Hydrangeas grow to an attractive spherical form which makes them a front of border gem for woodland gardens. 

​Thank you for reading my article on the best shrubs for woodland gardens! Below I will link to some of our other woodland garden articles you may find relevant. 

---

---

'As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases'