You may be new to the word ‘stumpery’ – essentially, it’s a rockery made with old wood. A stumpery makes a great feature for a dark or damp corner of the garden, and can be created with tree branches, stumps or even old railways sleepers. Here’s a basic guide to create your own stumpery:
Gather your materials
Firstly, you will need both wood and plants. Wood can be gathered from all sorts of sources, like trees, bark or even old floorboards, to be arranged artistically in your stumpery spot. Shade-loving plants like ferns and foxgloves are good choices, and you can mix it up with different colours and heights.
Prepare the ground
Before arranging your wood, prepare the ground underneath. Dig out the area and add some compost or manure, as this will encourage plant growth. Once the ground is ready, lay your stumps, making sure you bed them in with a little depth for stability.
Planting
The key to an interesting, thriving stumpery is to have plants protruding from all crevices. You can split plants up and place different types together. Plants with height will grow up and around gnarly bits of stump, and the eventual result will look full and natural.
Finishing off
Finally, water everything and apply a layer of mulch. Over time, the wood will age, and a top tip is to apply yoghurt to encourage moss and lichen growth.
Creating a stumpery takes a little effort, and in no time, you will have your own natural garden feature.
