There are many trees, shrubs and flowers that will grow well within woodland garden ideas.
Tree choices that add seasonal interest include magnolia, which is glorious in spring with its impressive blooms and grows in light shade; amelanchier is a lovely small tree with delicate star-shaped flowers, coppery leaves, berries and a nice form in winter; while prunus, flowering cherry trees, make a spectacular canopy for a woodland area.
In terms of shrubs, rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias are popular choices for woodland garden ideas. Cercis canadensis are large deciduous shrubs and small trees, known for their distinctive heart-shaped leaves, which start purple and turn yellow in autumn before falling. In early spring crimson pea-like flowers also put on a lovely display.
There are myriad choices for ground cover in a woodland garden, including anemones, hellebores, pulmonaria, primulas, epimediums, tiarella, brunnera, hostas, dicentra, honesty, lily-of-the-valley, Welsh poppies, foxgloves, bluebells, euphorbia ... the list goes on.