Hi Danny, That steel structure looks fine in that setting though probably not to everyones taste. Remember that the neighbours will have to look at it too, most people in this country would instinctively prefer wood. Larch would be fine, just not as chunky as in your first plan. You could have, as I think Obelisk suggested earlier, tensioned wires forming a 'roof' from side to side to which the climbers could cling. You have also got to think about the time it will take for climbers to reach the top, ivy is quite slow to get growing initially. I'm thinking it might take five years at least before they start to twine across the top, although there are quicker plants like golden hop (an annual) or Russian vine (a thug). Worth also considering and prettier than ivy is an evergreen clematis which is low maintenance.
In any event it is rather too early to be making plant choices, you can think about those in more detail once the hard landscaping is done. I look forward to seeing the next plan.
Thanks for the feedback Lizzie
Here is my updated design. I am now able to move the bin to the other side thanks to the extra plant bedding successfully hiding it. This gives me more storage space for the bike.
I would appreciate everyones thoughts on it. I have allowed for a 60cm tree trunk in the design.
I created three shapes in the patio to put stones in to break it up, I could maybe have plants instead of stones. I feel the shapes do not impede walking from the sliding door to the back gate.
My only concern is the space behind the bench for soil is only 200mm wide will that be enough space for the bamboo?
@Dannyboy334 - Success! You must be so pleased, you've worked really hard on the design and I really like the finished plan.
You're right I think, in that 200mm might not be enough for bamboo and I do find that it is slightly concerning to have leaves tickling the back of your neck! (I also have a bench with bamboo behind). A little niggle for me is seeing the top of the bin above the dividing wall, I wouldn't want to do that. Apart from that, it's good to go.
@Dannyboy334 - Success! You must be so pleased, you've worked really hard on the design and I really like the finished plan.
You're right I think, in that 200mm might not be enough for bamboo and I do find that it is slightly concerning to have leaves tickling the back of your neck! (I also have a bench with bamboo behind). A little niggle for me is seeing the top of the bin above the dividing wall, I wouldn't want to do that. Apart from that, it's good to go.
Hi Lizzie27
Yes 200mm is too small a space between the back of the bench and the wall. I might have a solution for the bench. I am going to come up with a slight tweak which I will share tomorrow.
I was thinking I would have plants in that other planter increasing its height which would hide the bin. The plants only need an extra 180mm of height to hide the top of the bin. I also have the option of making the bin 30mm lower by having the paving flush with the concrete in the alleyway.
I am just wondering is having a flower bed surface area of 400mm across of usable soil enough or does it limit what plants I can plant.
Have you thought about using a bit of corten steel screening for behind the table and chairs.
It would add instant screening for the bike / bins, a bit of texture and colour to break up the patio.
Would you advise using the corten steel inside the planter? And if so what height would you suggest? should I bring it up to meet the beam of the pergola for example.
A bit late now, but I am interested as to how big the garden actualy is, agree about the grass, devils own job, to grow in a north facing plot.As for your bike and bin store, we have got a mower/bike small low shed, pitch roof, 2 opening doors.
A bit late now, but I am interested as to how big the garden actualy is, agree about the grass, devils own job, to grow in a north facing plot.As for your bike and bin store, we have got a mower/bike small low shed, pitch roof, 2 opening doors.
The garden is 6450mm long by 4420mm wide. These measurements are from the inside walls.
Hi folks, I have a final question as regards the hard landscaping of the garden.
I am reluctant to bring the planter forward too much as the end closest to the house is very close to a sliding opening door. This poses a problem as I feel the bench adds a lot of depth to the planter in order to give space behind it for the growing of the bamboo.
For the bench set into the planter behind it I have 300mm of soil behind its retaining wall. Is this enough space for the roots of the bamboo? If people feel its not enough enough room I could reluctantly push the bench forward a further 100mm to give 400mm of soil behind.
If 300/400mm is not enough space behind the bench I have come up with three alternative bench positions which involve removing the set back bench to give the planter an uniform depth along its entire length. Which of the 4 bench options do people prefer?
Posts
Here is my updated design. I am now able to move the bin to the other side thanks to the extra plant bedding successfully hiding it. This gives me more storage space for the bike.
I would appreciate everyones thoughts on it. I have allowed for a 60cm tree trunk in the design.
I created three shapes in the patio to put stones in to break it up, I could maybe have plants instead of stones. I feel the shapes do not impede walking from the sliding door to the back gate.
My only concern is the space behind the bench for soil is only 200mm wide will that be enough space for the bamboo?
You're right I think, in that 200mm might not be enough for bamboo and I do find that it is slightly concerning to have leaves tickling the back of your neck! (I also have a bench with bamboo behind). A little niggle for me is seeing the top of the bin above the dividing wall, I wouldn't want to do that. Apart from that, it's good to go.
Yes 200mm is too small a space between the back of the bench and the wall. I might have a solution for the bench. I am going to come up with a slight tweak which I will share tomorrow.
I was thinking I would have plants in that other planter increasing its height which would hide the bin. The plants only need an extra 180mm of height to hide the top of the bin. I also have the option of making the bin 30mm lower by having the paving flush with the concrete in the alleyway.
I am just wondering is having a flower bed surface area of 400mm across of usable soil enough or does it limit what plants I can plant.
Have you thought about using a bit of corten steel screening for behind the table and chairs.
It would add instant screening for the bike / bins, a bit of texture and colour to break up the patio.
The garden is 6450mm long by 4420mm wide. These measurements are from the inside walls.
I am reluctant to bring the planter forward too much as the end closest to the house is very close to a sliding opening door. This poses a problem as I feel the bench adds a lot of depth to the planter in order to give space behind it for the growing of the bamboo.
For the bench set into the planter behind it I have 300mm of soil behind its retaining wall. Is this enough space for the roots of the bamboo? If people feel its not enough enough room I could reluctantly push the bench forward a further 100mm to give 400mm of soil behind.
If 300/400mm is not enough space behind the bench I have come up with three alternative bench positions which involve removing the set back bench to give the planter an uniform depth along its entire length. Which of the 4 bench options do people prefer?
Option 1. Bench setback
Option 2. Bench brought forward
Option 3. Floating bench
Option 4. Free standing bench.
As always everyones thoughts greatly appreciated.