I use box hedging to 'control' my cottage garden. I keep the box (buxus) hedge pruned neat and tidy and allow the roses, geraniums, paeonies, poppies, nigella, irises, alliums and other bulbs of all sorts to do whatever they want. I do have to keep the geraniums in check so they don't smother the irises, roses and paeonies, but actually other than deadheading and keeping some things in check and removing the dead foliage it is an easy garden to maintain. I have gravel paths between the four beds. I also have a London garden and have my birdbath in the front garden cemented in place and the Lutyens style bench bolted down. They've luckily remained in place for ten years now. What about treating the sarcococca as a feature on either side of the front door, perhaps shaping them as you would a buxus or let them be more natural and just keeping them pruned. They are lovely and green all year and give that heavenly winter scent so near the front door would allow you to enjoy the scent everytime you come and go in winter.
I use box hedging to 'control' my cottage garden. I keep the box (buxus) hedge pruned neat and tidy and allow the roses, geraniums, paeonies, poppies, nigella, irises, alliums and other bulbs of all sorts to do whatever they want. I do have to keep the geraniums in check so they don't smother the irises, roses and paeonies, but actually other than deadheading and keeping some things in check and removing the dead foliage it is an easy garden to maintain. I have gravel paths between the four beds. I also have a London garden and have my birdbath in the front garden cemented in place and the Lutyens style bench bolted down. They've luckily remained in place for ten years now. What about treating the sarcococca as a feature on either side of the front door, perhaps shaping them as you would a buxus or let them be more natural and just keeping them pruned. They are lovely and green all year and give that heavenly winter scent so near the front door would allow you to enjoy the scent everytime you come and go in winter.
Thank you! Yes, I'd love to have the sarcococca near the front door, but probably not symmetrically either side of it (not a fan of symmetry ) and they are different varieties anyway (1 is low growing, with a smaller, glossier leaf, the other a much taller shrub). I love the idea of a small bench in there too, where I can sit with my mug of tea on weekend mornings, as the east sun comes in. Birdbath sounds lovely too, so many good ideas.
Just found this thread! It looks like a really good space. Agree about not having anything valuable or easily moved in the front, and I would keep the path fairly straight from the gate to the door - delivery people always seem to be in a hurry (understandable given the rubbish terms & conditions most of them have) and will take any shortcuts possible.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Just found this thread! It looks like a really good space. Agree about not having anything valuable or easily moved in the front, and I would keep the path fairly straight from the gate to the door - delivery people always seem to be in a hurry (understandable given the rubbish terms & conditions most of them have) and will take any shortcuts possible.
Brick path yes, cottage plants ( Aquilegia, bleeding hearts, poppies) plus spring, summer bulbs) all are growing under my Flamingo Willow which would look lovely as a hedge. As for a small tree how about a twisted hazel. Lots of green in summer and interest in form for winter. Both trees are loved by birds in my garden.
Brick path yes, cottage plants ( Aquilegia, bleeding hearts, poppies) plus spring, summer bulbs) all are growing under my Flamingo Willow which would look lovely as a hedge. As for a small tree how about a twisted hazel. Lots of green in summer and interest in form for winter. Both trees are loved by birds in my garden.
Thanks! I have always admired flamingo willow when used as a hedge, actually, but wondered if the maintenance was high in terms of keeping it cut back (though I like the rather soft, arching branches and am not a great fan of clipped, more formal hedging).
Your planting sounds lovely - do you happen to have a photo at all? I've never seen a twisted hazel, but am off to research it!
As the garden its huge, I wouldn't mind a dwarf acer in there, or maybe something edible like a smaller apple tree, but not sure if they tolerate east exposure.
This is a picture of my raised bed with the Flamingo Willow in the background earlier this year. They have the pink leaves in spring and turn whiter through the summer. Only clip back once a year, not a hard job, as you say they are informal in shape but easy to keep neat. Was really taking a photo of the masses of flowers on my blue rose but it shows it well. This bush is over 20 years old so you can train them to any size.
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just pavement, wide-ish road and similar houses on the opposite side.
Yes, I'd love to have the sarcococca near the front door, but probably not symmetrically either side of it (not a fan of symmetry
I love the idea of a small bench in there too, where I can sit with my mug of tea on weekend mornings, as the east sun comes in.
Birdbath sounds lovely too, so many good ideas.
Your planting sounds lovely - do you happen to have a photo at all?
I've never seen a twisted hazel, but am off to research it!
As the garden its huge, I wouldn't mind a dwarf acer in there, or maybe something edible like a smaller apple tree, but not sure if they tolerate east exposure.