Is it possible to make a woodland type garden in full sun?

I really wanted to turn my front garden into a woodland type area and really wanted to plant loads of ferns, but alas, my front garden has no shade and is in full sun. Can anyone suggest any types of plants to create the look i am after, or does anyone know of any ferns/or fern like plants that enjoy full sun?



Thanks very much (im useless when it comes to plants!) xxx

Is it possible to make a woodland type garden in full sun?
There are ferns that like sun, but they also like it really wet, like ostrich ferns. Most ferns will burn in full sun, however. There are plants that resemble ferns in their foliage, such as yarrow, dill, and fennel, which all need full sun. Some violets, such as the confederate violet, viola cucullata, do best in fun sun, and also Johnny jump-ups.



You could try some sedums, most grow in sun as well as shade., and some will give you that mossy look of the forest floor. Creeping phlox need full sun, but have a woodsy look. Ground covers include ajuga and vinca minor.



Other wildflowers that grow well are phlox divartca, or woodland phlox. They do well in my full sun garden as well as in my woods. Daisies (field daisies, not shastas); daylilies, blue flag irises, all kinds of spring flowering bulbs,



I would give up trying to grow actual woodland plants, they do need shade and woodland soil conditions, however you can find many look-alikes that might give you the same feeling. Go to a nursery in the spring and look at the plants, both shade and full sun, compare looks and choose from there.



You might get a woodsy look in your garden with bark mulch, a rustic bench or two,and if you can't plant a tree, a Japanese maple or two in big pots. Paths outlined in native stone, mulched with bark and the edges softened with the previously mentioned creeping phlox and other trailing plants helps also. Mugho pines and other small pine trees and Japanese maples give a woodsy look also.



You could also try making a Japanese style garden, even full sun Japanese gardens have the ability to make you feel as if you are in a peaceful woods. Look at some of the sites on here:



http://www.google.com/Top/Home/Gardening...
Reply:If you can plant a small tree, something like Vine Maple, it could provide enough shade to plant ferns and other shade loving plants.
Reply:when you go plant shopping just look for plants it will say on the tags full sun.roses are always nice.