How big is your lot? From the pictures it looks like you have acres of forest back there.

I was thinking same. You have lots room to plant hostas :) And I love your woodlands.

A woman with a plan. You go girl!

Whoa, look at that magnificent lot! I'm excited about it and it isn't even mine!!! Can't wait for you to start posting work progression pics...right? ;-) Yup, you go girl!

I love your woodland garden! I would give all the labels and raindrop pictures to own only half of it :-) To step outside right into the woods, would be like heaven for me...great work, such a garden is never finished, but I truly admire what you do!

Drooling! Me too, I would be looking forward to such journey...

How much light that hydrangea gets? They seriously need sun to look good.

Such a nice setting! So much to do! Now I really understand why you are so happy to find plant babies in the yard! If I remember correctly, you found persicaria Painter Palette seedlings last season, how are they doing? I found several in my gardens this spring!

Sherry

Beautiful setting. I agree with everyone that it looks like it goes on forever, your very own forest. How is it to plant in there? It looks like the tree roots could be a problem, but on the other hand, years of decomposing leaves must have given you very good soil.

I really enjoyed all of your comments!!

whitewatervol..it's half an acre but it's not a rectangle..on a cul de sac with most of the lot in back..it's a shock when you go to the back and see how much is back there..

Saija..I'm going to move some hostas that are too crowded..I bet that I'll be rearranging for a long time..

DelawareDonna..thanks for the encouragement!

josephines..I love your enthusiasm for my woodland garden!..showing it to all of you is great motivation to work on it..we had errands and needed to mow before we could work on the stones..but we set seven stones today and they're looking good..it was too dark for pics when we stopped but I can't wait to finish and post pics..

Karen..what a nice thing to say!..and likewise I admire what you do!..you have a gift for photography..your small intimate garden is adorable..

lindalana..you made me laugh with that drooling comment!..this garden has come a long way since we moved in..I feel like we're in the last stages finally..I was so excited to go outside today..that hydrangea will not be getting enough light..it's "free" filler to beef up my back hedge..a clearance plant years ago that never thrived..didn't want it where it was so we moved it..it's alive and fills a gap for now..

Sherry..excellent memory!..I did find persicaria last year..it's back but still small..I've found a few more this year..there's lots of different seedlings here..I have nice soil from all of my leaf litter..

sandyslopes..good timing!..I made a comment about my soil just seconds before I saw your comment!..it's true I have nice soil..also true that I have lots of roots..I planted the shrubs and small trees VERY carefully..I don't have any plans for more shrubs and trees..we want to move a few shrubs that we already have..filling gaps or just to improve the layout..we've been successful in doing that..it's great to have instant impact with a bigger shrub..

nicholsworth, we must have been writing at the same time. My last house was on a cul-de-sac like yours where the backyard opened up wider. It's nice to have more room in the back.....I guess that's something we gardeners have in common. We see some land and wonder how hard would it be to dig in there? LOL. I knew all those leaves would make some really good soil.

sandyslopes..before we dig we would study how much space between trees..try to guess where some root free land might be..we've had to refill partially dug holes because we saw a big root..we don't cut roots..we find another spot..hostas in quart size pots or moving hosta babies is great..easier to dig small holes!

I really like the row of tall tree stumps - I was imagining a low bowl container with mini hostas on some, and a container with large leaf hostas to act like an umbrella on others. How tall are the stumps? They look huge in the pic, so I imagine it was difficult to get them all positioned nicely.

Me three, lol. I also lived on a cul-de-sac with just a titch under 1/2 acre. A huge pie shaped lot, more narrow at front. Protected ravine in back of that which we used really well. Installed a large pool and still had so much room left for gardens. **sigh, memory lane of days gone by** a horseshoe pit and a large island garden on the "free" land. Built a chalet-type doll house for our girls. Boy, that was fabulous to garden in! I can visualize your property shape better now...

Reward yourselves for your progress today! - I imagine those stones took a bit of brawn and brain. And Take care with your backs. :-)

threedogsmom..the stumps ARE tall..about 36 - 42? inches..very heavy..I tried but couldn't drag one on a handtruck..it was tricky to line them up..my husband can do anything..

josephines..so you know exactly what this feels like!..it looks bigger too because the neighbors have wooded lots and they all run together..a ravine in the back would be fun!..my husband said "I'll work on the stones today but I want to stop after 2 hours"..so that's what we did..we made more progress!..your advice is good.."take care with your backs"..I also think you get a better quality of work if you pace yourself rather than working while exhausted..

Great job! I really like stone borders but shying away from the hard work, just putting small stones one over the other is enough for me. I see lots of places where mini and small hosta could live :-)

working with stones is NOT easy..my husband is such a good guy to do this for me..he appreciates our garden but could be content with less of everything..less space, less plants, less stone and rocks etc..I would love to finish our projects this summer..tonight I've been alternating between Gardenweb and thinking about what to plant where..hostas will look great with those stones..you can't see it in this pic but I planted 2 ferns by the "character log" yesterday..it made the log look natural as if it's been there for awhile..more pics as we make progress :-)

Looking forward to your pics :-) fern and wood always look good together. How is your sister doing, hopefully making progress?

Your husband has done a terrific job installing the stone border - fitting with finesse! It’s not easy working with freeform stone and the fitting can be tedious. He not only has a good eye but patience as well, no doubt. We now know “he strong like bull” to wrestle with those logs!!! A nice cold beer afterwards is a requirement of course, lol.

It’s going to look very lush very soon - with that woodsy backdrop everywhere you don’t need as many plants for it to look natural as each Hosta packs such a punch, regardless of size. There are so many companion plants that will also grow well. I used astilbe, all colours and sizes with abandon. The foliage and feathery flowers worked seamlessly with the foliage of the trees. Your lot appears to have some nice open areas where filtered sun is more prominent.

Do I see “garden tour” in the future? The minute I saw the stone borders, the wide paths, I visualized people walking your paths, as on a garden tour.

Seeing it shape up thus far must be so gratifying, nicholsworth and the anticipation builds...

Karin..my sister is doing very well :-) thank you for asking..her doctor is very pleased..wanted to say that the 2 Ostrich ferns by the log were a little ratty when I bought them..but I wanted them because they spread and I bought them anyway....hope they improve..

Jo..thanks for your encouraging words!..my husband is so funny..he'll complain before he starts working but once he starts he gets into it and is VERY particular..I'll point out a stone to use next and he'll say "I don't like it"..and he does deserve a beer, a steak, a back rub..whatever he wants!!..I bought a battery operated fan for him..we sit it on top of an upside down pot and aim it at his face..it feels great and helps keep bugs away..I have some astilbe..the foilage is pretty even without the bloom..I'm flattered that you mention a garden tour!..having lots of paths is important to me..I want it to be convenient and obvious where to walk..even if another soul never stepped foot in this garden it's worth it to me!..and edging gives it a finished look..we're off to a great start..

Have you heard of an Ostrich fern astilbe? I've had one for years ... and love it. I'll see if I can find a pic for you... By the way, the fan outside while working is a great idea!

I am not sure I could tackle such a project as you have. (I had better stick to my smaller lot!) Having said that, it does look peaceful and calming to me. I love what you have done so far. I am glad that your husband is so supportive. The stone path is perfect! Looking forward to seeing more.

Nicholsworth, have you thought about adding a few corydalis lutea to your big space? They will seed around and bloom literally all season, starting as early as March here in 5a up until frost. The tallest mine get is about 10”. It has Fernlike foliage and small trumpet shaped flowers, had a hard time finding a picture. It’s a shade lover, can deal with a bit of sun.

Sherry

no..I haven't heard of an Ostrich fern astilbe..I think my astilbes are common ones..the fan IS great..I don't know if you get as hot and humid as we do but even if you don't the breeze keeps bugs away..

newhostalady..thanks for the compliment!..if I had known exactly how much hard work it would be to transform this place I might have said "no..keep looking"..but I loved the big trees..it was a domino effect..one thing leads to another!..

Sherry..I have some corydalis in the front..I wish mine would spread more..I should take a bit and try a different location..thanks for the suggestion..I always welcome gardening ideas..

nicholsworth, ostrich fern spreads quickly. I got some from the neighbour a few years ago and every year I have to remove babies because they would cover everything if I let them. But for the log they are the perfect choice . I saw a picture of a fallen tree with holes drilled into it as planting spaces and filled with 'Fleissige Lieschen' aka Impatiens. Maybe if hubbie has finished his stone work he can add a few small holes to your log :-)

I have Japanese painted ferns too..mine are similar but not exactly the same names..I read that Northern sea oats is a native for me..but it feels like an invasive!..spreads quickly but it's easy to pull out and I have space for it..

Oh Nicholsworth, the two of you are on the same wavelength as we are here : )

Sherry

Sherry..we came in for a break..will finish today!..pics later..I love it that my husband likes my ideas and helps me achieve my "vision"..