Tour An Illinois Woodland Garden

When the snow has barely melted from the shady corners of Barbara Wetzel's woodland acres, the spring green heads of bloodroot and trillium start popping up, seeking the sun. Then come the dogwoods, serviceberries and viburnum.

At last, May's warm days arrive, and hundreds of pink azaleas burst into bloom, recalling the North Carolina and West Virginia landscapes where Barbara grew up. "It's like having a southeastern garden near Chicago," she says. "I'm growing all the things I love best."

Click ahead to read about Barbara's garden tips. Slides 6 to 13 highlight a sampler of woodland spring flowers. See Barbara's garden in person during Garden Conservancy's Open Days program May 20, 2012; information at gardenconservancy.org/opendays.