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Any opinions welcome! If it were your garden... what would you do?

steven.g.garnersteven.g.garner Posts: 133
in Garden design
Hi! As noted here before, I’m starting our garden from nothing. I’ve managed to get. Couple of beds in and looking to add a pergola (red box in pic) and also wondering about some pampas grass for height. I’m considering some Portuguese laurel for behind the pergola for privacy away from the flats (closer than they look I this pic) and am told they will do well under the oak. I can put a small shed behind that out of view. On the other marked side I’d like some height but not a tree as we get evening sun across that way. Could anyone recommend pampas?!? Again, all opinions welcome! 

Posts

  • GreenbirdGreenbird Posts: 237
    Pampas grass symbolises a certain lifestyle.

    So maybe a different choice... or not, I don't judge  :D
  • SuesynSuesyn Posts: 664
    I wouldn't recommend pampas as the leaves can be very sharp and I think you have a little one. Also they are difficult to get rid of once they are established. There are lots of other grasses which would give you some height or you could put a climber or two against the fence which would give you some colour and possibly scent.
    A grass I particularly like is Stipa gigantea, which is evergreen and has  tall "flower" spikes which start to form in early summer and will grow about 2m tall and stay on the plant until spring. It requires virtually no maintenance (or at least it doesn't get any in my garden). It would withstand footballs being kicked into it but not cut like pampas if said football needs to be retrieved. 
  • edhelkaedhelka Posts: 2,351
    If it were my garden (as you are asking), I would do a shade garden there, acers and rhododendrons if the soil allows it or woodland glade feel if it doesn't.
    I wouldn't plant pampa grass (I have one in the front garden, I don't care about the message :) but I dislike caring for it). For a lower grass, stipa gigantea is much nicer. For something taller and close to the grass look, I would plant a clumping bamboo (fargesia). I love the sound they do in light wind and they can tolerate some shade well. I have fargesia Black Dragon and it's absolutely lovely.
  • rachelQrtJHBjbrachelQrtJHBjb Posts: 819
    Jacksons Fencing can make bespoke pergolas for you. I just gave them the width and length and they supplied it all complete with cross-bearers that were notched out to fit. We created a walkway leading to a pergola. 10 years on and it is as sound as the day it went in. Their timber is guaranteed for 25 years.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I would steer clear of pampas as well  :) . Possibly miscanthus ?
    Have a look at Knoll Gardens website, this may give you some ideas. 
    https://www.knollgardens.co.uk/
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Having lived in the 70s and before, think this was an urban myth.  The shade acers etc sound like a great idea.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    My next door neighbours have a pampas grass in their front garden, but l have never seen signs of "goings on".
    Or maybe we've just never been invited...
  • steven.g.garnersteven.g.garner Posts: 133
    Oh how funny, I never realised the connotation! Haha!

    @Suesyn alt grass sounds great.

    @edhelka I love acer and bamboo too, if got an awful lot of shady space that end (a good 6 meters to ply with) - so perhaps a deep curved ‘bed’ with a mixture.


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