Wooded Backyard Landscaping Ideas

A wooded backyard offers a unique opportunity to work with natural surroundings. With the right landscaping ideas, homeowners can highlight existing mature trees and other plants to improve the space's usability and create a space that feels usable.

6 DIY Design Ideas for Wooded Backyard Landscapes

From simple pathways to defined seating areas, thoughtful updates can turn a wooded outdoor space into an inviting backyard retreat.

1. Create a Woodland Garden

Forest floors are spacious places to create a unique woodland garden that works with your backyard's natural setting. A rock garden, for example, is a great place to start; you can use stones and rocks of varying sizes to add structure and improve drainage. Then, you can pair this rock garden with shade-tolerant plants for added texture, creating a more "natural" woodland feel.

For a more whimsical garden design, add other decorative elements, such as a birdhouse, a bird bath, a small pathway, or colorful marbles or gemstones.

2. Plant a Variety of Perennials

Adding flowers and other perennials to a wooded space is an easy way to incorporate color and texture. Most wooded areas already have good soil and enough space for new plants. Ideally, you'll want to layer your perennials and group them in odd numbers to create a natural look. Common perennials that thrive in wooded backyards include:

• Hostas
• Ferns
• Coral bells
• Virginia bluebells
• Woodland phlox

These plants grow best in shady areas. You can create a few shade gardens in your wooded lot to provide a space where they can thrive naturally.

3. Use Ground Cover

Many homeowners incorporate ground cover in forest areas to create a low-maintenance space that reduces the need for mowing. There are a variety of options to choose from, with many thriving in shaded areas.

Common ground cover frequently used in wooded areas includes:

• Moss
• Wild ginger
• Pennsylvania sedge
• Fragrant sumac
• Dwarf crested iris

Ground covers can be planted along walkways, in empty patches, or as a standalone garden area. Ideally, you'll want to be sure the ground cover you select won't spread aggressively, so check whether certain types are suitable for your yard, and monitor their growth once you plant them.

4. Incorporate Walkways and Seating Areas

Adding hardscape elements within a wooded area can help carve out a place to relax and socialize. For example, you can use pavers or large stones to create a natural-looking pathway leading to a patio with outdoor seating.

For a more immersive feel, leave the forest floor alone and place durable seating, such as Adirondack chairs, in a comfortable space.

5. Add a Fire Pit

Once you've created a seating area, you might consider adding a fire pit. There are a plethora of fire pit ideas available to enhance your outdoor space, but for a wooded area, choosing a smaller fire pit that's easier (and safer) to manage is optimal.

For extra landscape lighting and a cozy feel, use posts and hooks to hang string lights around your seating area. Lining them along any walkways can also make nighttime strolls safer and more enjoyable year-round.

6. Place Vertical Boulders

Vertical boulders are a natural fit for wooded landscapes. We recommend positioning them among shady perennials, such as hostas and ferns, or along ground cover to add height, structure, and visual contrast. They can also double as small retaining walls, especially within hillside areas, helping to stabilize soil on slopes while maintaining a rugged, organic look in your backyard garden.

No matter how you use them, vertical boulders create the feel of natural rock formations within your landscape design. They can also be incorporated into larger rock gardens or longer pathways.

FAQS

How do I make my backyard look like a forest?

If you have a wooded and spacious backyard with mature trees, chances are, you're already close to making your backyard look like a forest. With some design inspiration, this look is achievable. To make your yard feel and look more like a forest, first plant trees, bushes, and other plants to create a lush green space. You can also use potted plants around a seating area to make your space feel more enmeshed with nature.

The key is to add plants to your space so that, over time, you'll have a forest oasis in your own backyard.

What can I put around trees instead of mulch?

Forest floors are perfectly fine left alone if you don't want to add mulch to the area. If you are looking to place something other than mulch around trees, however, you can add leaves, pine needles, and the dirt already present in your backyard.

What are some creative landscaping ideas for a wooded backyard?

Aside from installing walkways, garden beds, and seating areas in your wooded backyard, you can also add creative landscaping elements for added flair. To start, reference items that are already present in the forest, such as logs, ivy, and natural creeks. These natural elements typically attract woodland animals while also maintaining the forest look in your outdoor living space. You can also add focal points, such as a bird bath or fountain, to add movement to the area.

What are the best plants for a shaded, wooded backyard?

Shaded, wooded backyards are a wonderful environment for a variety of plants. Common options that are fairly easy to plant and care for include hydrangeas, hostas, native plants and perennials, and ferns. These plants thrive in shady areas, but do require some maintenance, including regular watering and pruning.