- Framework conditions mark boundaries in the design plan
- Companion plants make the forest garden complete - design tips
With your own forest garden you get a cozy refuge in front of your front door, which makes the hearts of generations beat faster. In order for the gardening dream to come true, various criteria must be observed in advance. This guide explains what to look for when choosing trees and companion plants.
Coniferous trees create the feel of the forest
Framework conditions mark boundaries in the design plan
Trees place just as specific demands on the site quality as perennials and flowers. So don't just grab tree species because you like their growth habit and foliage color. First, subject the garden soil to a thorough inspection so that your favorites feel comfortable and put down strong roots. The following overview shows the different requirements of popular trees for the forest garden:
| Surname | tree species | growth height (cm) | location preference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak (Quercus robur) | deciduous tree | 2.500-3.500 | sunny, semi-shady, fresh to moist |
| Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) | deciduous tree | 2.500-3.000 | sunny, semi-shady, normal garden soil |
| Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana) | conifer | 1.500-2.500 | sunny, semi-shady, nutritious, moist |
| Pine (Pinus sylvestris) | conifer | 1.000-3.000 | sunny, dry, slightly acidic |
| silver birch (Betula pendula) | deciduous tree | 1.500-2.000 | sunny, dry, sandy to loamy |
| Blood maple (Acer platanoides) | deciduous tree | 1.000-1.500 | sunny, partially shaded, moist, humic |
In order to design a small garden as a forest garden, nurseries offer beautiful dwarf varieties of every tree species. For example, the Japanese maple 'Beni komachi' remains at a height of 150 to 250 cm.
Companion plants make the forest garden complete - design tips
In the creative design of a forest garden, the tiered arrangement is very popular. Tall trees are associated with medium-tall and low trees. Ferns, decorative leaf shrubs and other shade-tolerant plants thrive on the ground. A picturesque combination is created from oaks and rhododendrons, which have similar location requirements. At your feet are hostas (Hosta), crawling bugle (Ajuga reptans) or shade-loving porcelain flowers (Saxifraga umbrosa).
A forest garden is not limited to a perpetual twilight. As a transparent option, we recommend a combination of white-trunk birches, accompanied by lawn or moss areas and light-colored gravel paths.
tips
A cozy seating area rounds off the design of the forest garden wonderfully. To keep resin from dripping onto furniture or sticking to shoes, a gazebo made from local wood can be used as a canopy.