For links to my full restoration process, visit Restoring a Native Woodland Garden.
After months of observing and planning, I mapped out the area on a sheet of paper, using pencil so I could modify as I went along. It’s not to scale, but simply seeing the space in general was incredibly useful. This map helped me determine the plants I wanted to purchase/salvage and how they might integrate with each other. I considered how much sun each area received throughout the year and how sloped/wet an area was. I looked at the natives that are already there, giving me an idea of what new plants might be successful in that location.
On the map, I noted the existing plants that would remain (all native trees, shrubs and perennials) and noted them with a star. And I played around with the general placement of plants I’d like to incorporate.
I also included any permanent “structures” within the space, including a really large rock, a very cool stump and the stairs accessing the space. Then I marked the keeper plants with landscape flags (see above photo) so that Andrew would know what to leave and what to dig up.
I walked the property on a regular basis to better understand the natural flow. Eventually, I marked where our new paths would go, using branches I found on the property. I also planned for a bench at the best viewing area and a future lounge area in the only flat spot.
The map changed many, many times, and the drawing above is not exactly what I ended up planting, but the process of creating the map helped me think through what I wanted the space to become.
Being able to “see” what the space could be helped me make a plan for everything that needed to be accomplished, and it kept me excited and motivated throughout the long, challenging process.
