I could not agree more with above posts. Take some time & consider what you have. If you want inspiration read the Lost gardens of Heligan. That garden was neglected for decades & was brought back. Look up "renovation pruning" this will show you ways of restoring some of the most overgrown shrubs. It will take you several years but be much more satisfying.
Just to be clear, I am confident that 90% of the old cottage garden has now sadly gone. Since that time the garden has clearly been worked over a number of times and has been left in it's current state of neglect. I am looking to take it back to its former glory.
I've attached a sketch of what I am looking to achieve here.
You can see from this illustration that the walled garden is fairly simple in design with a focus on the planting around a central pathway. The garden is split into three tiers (it is currently one continuous slope). At the first tier the pathway circles a mound that will be left very wild (ammi, buttercups etc. left to grow freely) within which an antique birdbath will sit. On either side of this mound there will be two large borders with abundant and generous planting - the focus will be on classic English cottage garden planting. Moving to the second tier a box ball border will edge the pathway and more generous cottage garden planting will sit beyond. Moving to the final tier, there will be ornamental grasses and more of a shrubbery focus around a seating area that looks back towards the house - with the line of sight framing the bird bath back on tier one.
At the moment the garden is not in a good state and as I say, I am confident that there will be very little hidden treasures waiting to surprise us in spring and summer. I hope this gives some context on what I am looking to achieve here.
The original poster was asking for advice on the quote he or she has been given for clearing the overgrown garden, rather than a series of pedantic lectures on what he or she *should* be doing!
Perhaps time is an issue, hence their planned clear and start again approach?
Anyway, I think £1800 is excessive for clearance, and £800-£1000 for two days work, including debris removal is more realistic.
Good luck with your project, the sketch looks wonderful! Keep us updated on progress
Obviously, without been condescending, that is why, when I commented back I gave them the relevant response on the build up of that quote and, after considering all these possibilities, they may be able to appreciate if the quote is overpriced or reasonable. Sometimes it's just best to answer the question been asked instead of possible alternatives
This topic has certainly sparked discussion - I am very greatful for all replies and have taken no offence to anything. It’s good to get a range of opinions and hear the thoughts of others.
Posts
I could not agree more with above posts. Take some time & consider what you have. If you want inspiration read the Lost gardens of Heligan. That garden was neglected for decades & was brought back. Look up "renovation pruning" this will show you ways of restoring some of the most overgrown shrubs. It will take you several years but be much more satisfying.
Thank you for the thoughts so far.
Just to be clear, I am confident that 90% of the old cottage garden has now sadly gone. Since that time the garden has clearly been worked over a number of times and has been left in it's current state of neglect. I am looking to take it back to its former glory.
I've attached a sketch of what I am looking to achieve here.
You can see from this illustration that the walled garden is fairly simple in design with a focus on the planting around a central pathway. The garden is split into three tiers (it is currently one continuous slope). At the first tier the pathway circles a mound that will be left very wild (ammi, buttercups etc. left to grow freely) within which an antique birdbath will sit. On either side of this mound there will be two large borders with abundant and generous planting - the focus will be on classic English cottage garden planting. Moving to the second tier a box ball border will edge the pathway and more generous cottage garden planting will sit beyond. Moving to the final tier, there will be ornamental grasses and more of a shrubbery focus around a seating area that looks back towards the house - with the line of sight framing the bird bath back on tier one.
At the moment the garden is not in a good state and as I say, I am confident that there will be very little hidden treasures waiting to surprise us in spring and summer. I hope this gives some context on what I am looking to achieve here.
The original poster was asking for advice on the quote he or she has been given for clearing the overgrown garden, rather than a series of pedantic lectures on what he or she *should* be doing!
Perhaps time is an issue, hence their planned clear and start again approach?
Anyway, I think £1800 is excessive for clearance, and £800-£1000 for two days work, including debris removal is more realistic.
Good luck with your project, the sketch looks wonderful! Keep us updated on progress
now, there's a conversation stopper
In the sticks near Peterborough
Feel suitably chastened Nut ... having restored a few totally derelict and long neglected gardens in our time I was only trying to be helpful
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Yes, many of us are not entirely new to neglected gardens.
Though mine was never a garden before me so that doesn't count
In the sticks near Peterborough
English Rose
Obviously, without been condescending, that is why, when I commented back I gave them the relevant response on the build up of that quote and, after considering all these possibilities, they may be able to appreciate if the quote is overpriced or reasonable. Sometimes it's just best to answer the question been asked instead of possible alternatives
This topic has certainly sparked discussion - I am very greatful for all replies and have taken no offence to anything. It’s good to get a range of opinions and hear the thoughts of others.
Thanks everyone.
well said Somerset Gardener
In the sticks near Peterborough
English Rose by name, but maybe not by nature?
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border