That's beautiful, Lyn. And it is true that a great deal can be done to make long or awkwardly shaped gardens look great. I'm sure people here can suggest sites with all sorts of design ideas.
@nannycha42- as the others have said - is there any reason you can't make the planting areas bigger? It would give you a lot more scope for plants, even if you just had one large border across a corner or something similar. You could combine it with a small tree fro extra privacy, or shade if you needed it. Also - are the gardens open, or are they fenced/walled for privacy?
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I think the key will be to keep it simple (avoid a spotty effect, plant lots of the same thing; in a row) and lean on wall shrubs that take up little ground space but can be trained against the walls/fences. You could underplant with bulbs, or things like geraniums that will spill out, but I think repetition and simplicity is key there as well.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
I can’t make borders any bigger, all the gardens are fenced in, I am trying to make the best of a badly designed space! As I said we have all got the same problem in the terrace of houses that I live in, nearly all of us have strange shaped lawns back filled with slate or stones, not an option as we have young grandchildren....I know when they have grown I can change things, but with ongoing arthritis and back trouble I was hoping to make the space as low maintenance as possible...thanks for all the posts.
I've had a rethink, @nannycha42. Heucheras might do well in a narrow border, they're evergreen and low maintenance. They also come in lots of different colours so there's a bit more choice and look good in the winter. I've got some peachy coloured ones. Otherwise, heathers (depending on your soil) might be okay.
Posts
Also - are the gardens open, or are they fenced/walled for privacy?
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/best-plants-for-narrow-borders/
I think the key will be to keep it simple (avoid a spotty effect, plant lots of the same thing; in a row) and lean on wall shrubs that take up little ground space but can be trained against the walls/fences. You could underplant with bulbs, or things like geraniums that will spill out, but I think repetition and simplicity is key there as well.