If you have a shady corner in your garden that you are struggling to give a purpose, a stumpery may be your answer!
What is a stumpery?
If you’ve ever looked at an old tree stump and thought, “What am I supposed to do with that?”—you’re not alone. But before you pick up an axe, consider this: that rugged, weathered hunk of wood could become the foundation for a breathtaking, fairytale-like stumpery garden.
A stumpery is a garden feature built using tree stumps, logs, and roots into a dramatic, naturalistic display. It’s part sculpture, part ecosystem, and completely enchanting. First created in the Victorian era, stumperies have a magical, almost otherworldly look, making them perfect for adding charm to shady corners.
Finding the Perfect Spot
Stumperies thrive in shade, making them an excellent choice for those tricky, dark areas where traditional planting schemes struggle. Think under a canopy of trees, along a fence on a North facing border, or in the shadows of a building. They naturally complement woodland gardens and can even serve as a statement piece in a shaded backyard.
Not only do they look fantastic, but stumperies also support biodiversity. Rotting wood attracts beneficial fungi, insects, and small critters, turning your garden into a mini nature preserve. If you’re lucky, you might even get a hedgehog or toad taking up residence.
And if course it goes without saying, if you’ve got children, or visiting grandchildren/relatives, they will love to explore and play in this area of your garden. I only ‘built’ my stumpery a few months ago, but my girls have already setup their fairy figurines in residence.
Building Your Stumpery
Creating a stumpery is more about artistry than precision. There’s no strict formula—just a few guiding principles to help bring your vision to life:
- Gather Your Stumps and Logs
Look for interestingly shaped tree stumps, logs, or large roots. The gnarlier, the better! These pieces add drama and texture.
Use a mix of sizes to create depth and height variations.
If you don’t have stumps lying around (most of us don’t), check with local tree surgeons, landscapers, or even local parks for fallen wood. You can also find stumps for sale online. - Plan Your Layout
Arrange your stumps in a way that looks natural. Lean logs against each other, partially bury some pieces, and stack others to create height.
Leave gaps and crevices—these will become pockets for plants, moss, lichens and wildlife. - Add Soil and Rocks
Fill spaces between logs with rich, organic soil to support plant growth.
Scatter in some rocks or stones for an added natural feel. - Plant Wisely
Stumperies shine with shade-loving plants, especially ferns, hostas, fatsia japonica and mosses.
Add woodland flowers like hellebores, bluebells, geraniums, wood anemones, bleeding hearts, and wild violets for seasonal color.
Climbing plants like ivy an weave through logs, enhancing the wild, overgrown look.
Ground covers like creeping Jenny or ajuga help soften the edges. - Encourage Nature to Move In
Leave some areas undisturbed for fungi, insects, and small animals to thrive.
If you want to speed things along, introduce moss by rubbing it onto damp wood or applying a buttermilk-moss slurry.
Branch piles and stacked rocks/stone invite frogs, newts, and other small critters.
Maintaining Your Stumpery
Unlike a traditional flower bed, a stumpery is low-maintenance. Let nature take its course! Over time, the wood will decay, creating a continuously evolving landscape. If you notice any pieces shifting or collapsing, simply reposition them as needed. Trim back overgrowth occasionally, but embrace the wild, natural aesthetic.
Why You’ll Love It
Stumpery gardens are not just beautiful—they’re also a sustainable way to repurpose fallen wood and give it a second life. They create a unique habitat, support local wildlife, and require minimal upkeep. Plus, they offer a creative, artistic outlet, turning that shady corner or border in your garden into something truly magical.
So, if you have an old stump sitting around, don’t see it as an eyesore—see it as the foundation of your next great garden project! And if you don’t have one, get sourcing one (or two or three) today.
