The display gardens at Forest Lane Botanicals in York County, Virginia.
A neighbor asked last summer whether I had discovered Forest Lane Botanicals.
She told me that it is a small family operation, a Virginia certified nursery specializing in ferns, hostas, Azaleas, Japanese Maples, various shade loving perennials, and some native plants.
This fountain by the drive leading in to Forest Lane Botanicals enjoys shade from the forest and from established Azaleas.
Intrigued, I made a mental note to find them. One thing led to another, and their season ended before I found time to visit.
But I determined to find them this spring, and yesterday my partner and I visited for the first time. The gardens are open to the public between March 12 and July 5 this year, from 10 AM until 4 PM on Wednesdays through Saturdays.
What a treasure! This beautiful wooded property, near York River State Park, is tucked away along country lanes, in a residential area.
Owners Wendy and Alan Wubbels were away at a show in Richmond, but we visited with Cathy, who greeted us warmly and showed us around.
The gardens exhibit the love and care with which they are maintained.
An intricate fairy garden in a large basin overlooks this forest garden
A peaceful and romantic woodland garden, the tremendous repertoire of plants blends seamlessly from one vignette and bed to the next across several acres.
Garden art, sculpture, flowing fountains, fairy gardens, novel planting containers, and unusual cultivars of familiar plants make this an intriguing garden to wander as one absorbs idea after idea for developing a woodland garden.
A true partnership between man and nature is evident as one strolls through the beds.
May Apple, Podophyllum peltatum, wanders through beds and along paths throughout the shade gardens.
Native May Apples, Podophyllum peltatum, pop up at will in paths and beds, most now in bloom with their shy Hellebore like flowers tucked safely under the umbrella leaf.
Map Apples mix with ferns and Foam Flower in this bed.
The large green leaves of this spring ephemeral march along the forest floor, springing up from underground rhizomes early each spring before leaves fill out the forest canopy, and then disappear by late summer.
Seedlings of Japanese Maple grow in the path beneath their parent tree.
Tiny Acer seedlings also escape the boundaries of beds, springing up beneath their parents in odd places.
A creeping form of Tiarella marches down a slope, awash in white blooms.
A creeping form of Tiarella, foam flower, cascades down this shady bed between ferns and Hostas.
Azalea shrubs are just bursting into flower as fronds unfurl to announce the presence of re-emerging ferns.
Hellebores are finishing up as ferns, Hostas and Heuchera are emerging.
Amazed at the many tasty plants, such as Hostas and Azaleas, which suffered no apparent nibbling from deer; I asked Cathy how the Wubbels protect their garden from grazing.
She indicated the many Boxwood shrubs throughout the garden. Apparently, deer detest the aroma of Boxwood. Along with a variety of sprays used on a regular basis, the Boxwood help deter deer from visiting the garden.
A lovely garden, made all the more attractive for gardening fanatics like me because pots and pots of little starts of these lovely plants are lined up discreetly around the edge of the garden, and in a retail display area.
“Lady in Red” Lady Fern has dark red stems on each frond.
I came looking for ferns, and left with three beautiful Lady Ferns, Athyrium felix-femina “Lady in Red.”
Stands of Columbine by the drive, and emerging daylily foliage, hint at the beauty still to unfold here as the season progresses.
My partner and I anticipate making a return trip very soon. There is this lovely variegated Iris we have just the spot for…..
Photos by Woodland Gnome 2014
Pitcher plants are found in abundance in sunny areas at Forest Lane Botanicals.
Forest Garden 
Day trip!!!
Yes!!! do come visit! If you come for our art exhibit, you can do both in the same day, and have lunch with us 😉
What a marvelous tour – thank you! It has inspired me to look for display garden nurseries in my area. Although it can get quite expensive, as I can never leave without buying something!
Yes, but as I pay those higher prices, I keep reminding myself that I’m so appreciative to have the selection they offer, and all the TLC the plants receive. It requires a strict budget, however, or one easily gets into trouble 😉
The little water cascades are so beautiful. What a place to get ideas from!
Too much to take in all at once… A nice cool place to visit on sunny days, too. Best wishes, WG