This garden style developed from the 18th-century English landscape style.
In the 19th century, woodland gardens received extra attention after the publication of W. Robinson's book 'The Wild Garden'.
The woodland garden concept has gained particular attention in the Netherlands with the IVN’s (Institute for Nature Education and Sustainability) 'Tiny Forest' project.
This project is based on Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki's method of planting young native species close together to quickly restore degraded forests. His method follows the laws of the natural forest and can be applied even to small plots. According to Kazue Fujiwara, a colleague of Miyawaki, this approach can work even in plots one metre wide, although a minimum of three metres makes it easier to plant a mix of species.
The Tiny Forest project assumes a minimum garden area for individuals of 100 m2. When planted, three trees will be planted per square metre. The planting will be composed of at least 25 species of native trees and shrubs, which must be able to grow undisturbed for at least 10 years.
Woodland gardens encourage biodiversity, lower urban temperatures, improve air quality and provide a sense of connection with nature.
