I love acers and have a super one, however it might have to be moved as it is likely to get swamped by other plants - why do some grow so quick for goodness sakes?
I wandered around the garden last evening just before dark after quite a steady day in the tearoom - dangerous finding time to think, and have come up with the idea of turning our very sad excuse for a lawn, into a gravel garden a la Beth Chatto - lack of water and heavy foot traffic causing so many problems. Just wondering if it is too drastic a look. It's difficult to explain if you haven't seen it but until now the garden has been used as an extended dining area once the terrace at the top of the garden is full. Tricky for the waitresses, it is so not flat and a long way (down steep steps, no crocks allowed) from the kitchen so I am having a second deck added to the terrace. That will mean all food will be served on the top two terraces and frees the garden up just for those that want to sit with a drink (no waitress service) or possibly waiting for a table to come free to dine at and entertaining children. I have a little play area which I will keep turfed. Now, will it look good and will the gravel stay where it is supposed to?
I shall ponder more over my ironing this morning and whilst making cakes later this morning. Ideas and input welcome. The slope to the left will be the new deck. The area I am thinking of gravelling is where all the tables and chairs are under the canopy from flowerbed to fence, little flowerbeds in it, wavy pathway in different coloured gravel and just a few wrought iron table and chair sets, just for drinks. Imagination needed.
“Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
Good morning folks, apart from my post yesterday, I havent been on here for several months, now, my Rhodendendrons have just started to get their autumn colours, the Acers havent started to change.We had one night of 8c, but apart from that its been in double figures, wet, but mild. Hope everyone is well
Hello @Nanny Beach - I too have been AWOL for a while, so nice to drop back in and find the same friendly faces and warm welcome. Hope you are doing ok too.
“Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
Morning all/afties Pat if you're there I think you could easily do gravel there @Dordogne Damsel - if you feel the turf isn't worthwhile. I'd keep it to one colour though. You could plant some low growing scented plants/herbs that wouldn't mind being stood on. No need to rush @Obelixx - I should really get one. We have the perfect conditions for them here - you see them everywhere, and most look good, although many people odn't give them the space to do their thing properly. The great Mario Lanza. A rather sad story though. No double figures here - another four degree night, but it's dry, and clearer than yesterday, so I can get on outside. Plenty of jobs to do, although the ground is so saturated it'll mainly be potting on and finishing the little bit of fence behind the shed, and some perusing and planning
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
This is what I am thinking of made to fit in the space, less plants though, keeping it simple. Lavender and small ornamental grasses. Sets ot wrought iron tables and chairs dotted about, probably just three.
“Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
Morning all. @Dordogne Damsel, I'm with @Fairygirl, I'd stick to one colour too. It'll keep the design simple and not fussy . Two colours can look great, as the example, but one folk start walking, dragging tables and chairs around, kids messing about , it'll lose the definition and just look messy, IMHO. Can you get " resin bonded gravel " ? The same look but more stable underfoot, especially as the ground isn't level. You won't have to worry about it creeping downhill.
Morning all. We had thunder and lightning last night but it hasn't rained.
@Dordogne Damsel I think gravel would look good, but avoid the calcaire (limestone) castine as it can give you messy feet when you walk on it. Gravel would probably have to be raked back from time to time if it's on a slope. Bonded gravel is great but more expensive. You could use other drought resistant plants too, such as perovskia, artemisia, spirea "Anthony Waterer" and abelia.
I must go out and plant some alliums.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Posts
I love acers and have a super one, however it might have to be moved as it is likely to get swamped by other plants - why do some grow so quick for goodness sakes?
I wandered around the garden last evening just before dark after quite a steady day in the tearoom - dangerous finding time to think, and have come up with the idea of turning our very sad excuse for a lawn,
I shall ponder more over my ironing this morning and whilst making cakes later this morning. Ideas and input welcome.
Very still and damp out there ... but at least it’s not raining ... so far ...
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I think you could easily do gravel there @Dordogne Damsel - if you feel the turf isn't worthwhile. I'd keep it to one colour though. You could plant some low growing scented plants/herbs that wouldn't mind being stood on.
No need to rush @Obelixx - I should really get one. We have the perfect conditions for them here - you see them everywhere, and most look good, although many people odn't give them the space to do their thing properly.
The great Mario Lanza. A rather sad story though.
No double figures here - another four degree night, but it's dry, and clearer than yesterday, so I can get on outside. Plenty of jobs to do, although the ground is so saturated it'll mainly be potting on and finishing the little bit of fence behind the shed, and some perusing and planning
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Dordogne Damsel, I'm with @Fairygirl, I'd stick to one colour too. It'll keep the design simple and not fussy .
Two colours can look great, as the example, but one folk start walking, dragging tables and chairs around, kids messing about , it'll lose the definition and just look messy, IMHO.
Can you get " resin bonded gravel " ? The same look but more stable underfoot, especially as the ground isn't level. You won't have to worry about it creeping downhill.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
We had thunder and lightning last night but it hasn't rained.
@Dordogne Damsel I think gravel would look good, but avoid the calcaire (limestone) castine as it can give you messy feet when you walk on it. Gravel would probably have to be raked back from time to time if it's on a slope. Bonded gravel is great but more expensive. You could use other drought resistant plants too, such as perovskia, artemisia, spirea "Anthony Waterer" and abelia.
I must go out and plant some alliums.