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Really easy seeds for woodland

a1154a1154 Posts: 1,108
in Plants
I have cleared some areas of woodland and I’d like to try to introduce some different plants which are easy from seed, and will seed around, under an existing canopy. I mean sowing in position/broadcasting. 

I’m not interested in seed mixes, I’d like to try just a few types. I like to see lots of the same thing for impact.

I have aquilegia seeds and foxglove collected last year. What can I buy? They would need to be reliable to germinate though I can mark the areas and keep them weed free. 

I was wondering about a dog violet? Easy or not? Any other thoughts? 
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  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    We grow Tragopogon porrifolius (salsify) in an area that is very shaded. It is biennial but easily self seeds. Our dog violets like to be more in the sun but we also have snowdrops that grow in very shaded areas. We have had some success with knapweed in shady places but they do better in full sun.
  • StultiStulti Posts: 90
    English bluebells?
  • Beastie29Beastie29 Posts: 55
    edited 3 February
    Ramsons.  Wild garlic.

    https://justseed.com/products/joh28386

    Loads of suppliers, this is  just one.
  • StultiStulti Posts: 90
    Delicious.It will soon be the season.
  • Beastie29Beastie29 Posts: 55
    I love wild garlic, @Stulti!  Hopefully @a1154 will, too!  Definitely worth trying.  Loves some woodland shade, just like English bluebells!
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Wild garlic will take over in a heart beat. 

    Not seed - but buying snowdrops in the green can be lovely in a woodland setting.
  • Beastie29Beastie29 Posts: 55
    Long heartbeat here, Fire!  Six years later, and I've got a small clump from 5 bulbs.  Rather depends on the SIZE of your woodland, doesn't it?
    I'd still give it a go, but that's entirely the choice and decision of the original poster.
    Agree with you on snowdrops, though.  Gorgeous in late winter / early spring.  Best acquired 'in the green' rather than by seed.
  • StultiStulti Posts: 90
    My heart will have stopped by the time my wild garlic takes over. 
  • a1154a1154 Posts: 1,108
    I have snowdrops. I don’t want bluebells, I have the nasty Spanish ones coming up. Ransoms is a thought, pretty too. 
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    Red campion grows well from seed and is happy in our dry shady woods. I also have tellima grandiflora growing in the shady spots of my garden and that was very easy from seed. I would be tempted to try honesty in some areas with a bit more sun if you have any as it does look nice in spring and self seeds well.

    If you have damp shade you could try primroses but I would be inclined to grow them into plugs and then plant them out. This might be an easier way to do it because you can have good sized plants by autumn.

    I would add some bulbs/corms like wood anemone and perhaps spread some cyclamen seeds if you can find any as they seed quite well but tend to establish slower.
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