The structure of a site is determined not only by the soil and slope, but also by the local trees and bushes.  As with flowers, native trees/bushes are best, for insects and animals to thrive, but also to help the wildflowers that are adapted to living near them.  Bushes are adapted to live under trees, making use of the dappled light, adding further shade to change the types of woodland wildflower species that can grow there.

BUSHES include:

Hazel, for creating deep shade as well as the well-known nuts.

Purging Buckthorn (do not confuse with the thornier blackthorn), which feeds the caterpillar of the Brimstone butterfly.  Purging Buckthorn is just as happy in boggy clay as in the driest coral limestone soil, as long as it gets some direct sunlight.

Guelder-Rose, for dry scrub or damp/wet locations, with bright red berries.

Spindle, with its bright orange and red berries, suckering mildly to form a thicket.

Dogwood, which also suckers mildly.

Yew and Box (coral limestone), and holly (clay) for evergreen value.

Consider also a lower under-storey of gooseberry, red current and black current.

TREES:

The coral limestone supports beech, ash and small-leaved lime, with hornbeam and oak in pockets of clay.  Consider also the Wild Service Tree.

The deep kimmeridge clay supports oak trees, with classic understorey of hazel, for a traditional shady bluebell wood.  Ash compete, especially in wetter ground.  Fruit trees, such as wild cherry, wild pear and crab apple add complexity.

Alder, willows, and hazel intermingle in marshy areas.

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