I have a lean-to green-house on the west end of the house which is partially shaded by tall trees on that side of the garden. It does get some sun in the mornings and at other times as the gaps in the trees allow. It gets more than enough light though, when the summer sun is high, and in the spring the tree cover is less, so there is light enough for early planting. My garden is large and has a lot of trees and in this hot weather the shade has been very welcome, both by plants in the greenhouse and by me, the sunny terrace was to be avoided!
There's a lot to be said for some shade in the garden ... we had to have a tree felled and another pollarded due to ash dieback ... now our formerly shady garden is parched ... and we've had several enquiries this year from folk who's greenhouses are getting to hot and we're advising on how to shade them. If you like the house then I'd go for it ... part of the fun of gardening is learning how to grow the right plants and in the right way for your garden's circumstances. No garden ever has perfect conditions for every plant.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
@rosehenderson90 Our garden is also north west facing and we know there are areas which get no afternoon or evening sun, other than in mid summer, because of the trees on the same side where you will be shaded. There aren't as many as in your photo's or as large and we do have a 150 foot long garden, with the large trees toward the far end. We did have a temporary issue with sun being blocked from our patio when our neighbour let a sycamore seedling grow to about 20 feet high, about 30 feet from the house but he did have that removed.
May I ask what part of Scotland you live in? The 3rd photograph stopped me in my tracks because the house looks almost identical to the house my cousin lived in. The difference being she had finished the creation of a beautiful cottage garden.
If they are the on picture 2 - buy it. I would give everything to have that kind of dappled shade.
The trees that we had on the right were the most ugliest conifers and an ash tree that gave us millions of seeds which I had to pick up year by year. I’m glad that all 3 trees are gone, but we have no sun protection and it is too hot. Also, I had to change the entire planting near the house from a woodland garden to are Mediterranean one 😀
My greenhouse at my last property was in full sun, and it was really a problem to control the temperature, it made it less usable. The one I have now gets morning sun and is in the shade in the afternoon, it’s much better. Warms up nicely but doesn’t overheat.
Our back garden is south facing, but with a near vertical slope away from the house, with three mature ( and Protected ) beech trees at the top. We get a lot more light in the winter when the leaves are gone, but very grateful for the shade on the lawn in weather like this. As someone has said, you’ll be able to make a lovely garden whatever the aspect. What I would consider is what would happen if the neighbours removed the trees. If the adjoining house is for sale, the new owners might decided to take them down. Having a plan B in case circumstances beyond your control change would be a good idea. I’d also be worried about the patio and the potential for damp, but that can at least be remedied at a cost.
Given the orientation you should be able to find spots for morning and evening sun. Full sun may be a bit more tricky.
One thing to consider is what can you do with the front?
At my place the back garden is significantly shaded by the house (only 14m deep and almost square), so I am working on the South facing front facing the lane to make it a courtyard garden, and in due course I will have a large veranda that side and increase the height of all the walls to be around 2m. , I would check the species of tree, which seem not to be too large - 10-12m? - and discover the ultimate likely size, and how soon that may happen.
Then it's one for your skill and judgement.
Also, think about the prevailing wind and whether the partial block is a significant advantage and gives you a microclimate. Remember that windbreaks generate a sheltered patch on the *upwind* side as well as the downwind side. I'm guessing you are well aware of the local climate.
I'd also suggest a little think for what you would do if the new N just removed all of them.
“Rivers know this ... we will get there in the end.”
I have a lean-to green-house on the west end of the house which is partially shaded by tall trees on that side of the garden. It does get some sun in the mornings and at other times as the gaps in the trees allow. It gets more than enough light though, when the summer sun is high, and in the spring the tree cover is less, so there is light enough for early planting. My garden is large and has a lot of trees and in this hot weather the shade has been very welcome, both by plants in the greenhouse and by me, the sunny terrace was to be avoided!
Thanks - I have definitely been convinced by this thread that shade is a good thing!
There's a lot to be said for some shade in the garden ... we had to have a tree felled and another pollarded due to ash dieback ... now our formerly shady garden is parched ... and we've had several enquiries this year from folk who's greenhouses are getting to hot and we're advising on how to shade them. If you like the house then I'd go for it ... part of the fun of gardening is learning how to grow the right plants and in the right way for your garden's circumstances. No garden ever has perfect conditions for every plant.
Thanks!
This is the first house we are buying and I am definitely getting bogged down in thinking about all the eventualities and details.
Having read this thread, I am a lot more enlightened into the advantages of different types of garden.
Posts
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Re: The trees do look lovely.
If they are the on picture 2 - buy it. I would give everything to have that kind of dappled shade.
I ♥ my garden.
What I would consider is what would happen if the neighbours removed the trees. If the adjoining house is for sale, the new owners might decided to take them down. Having a plan B in case circumstances beyond your control change would be a good idea.
I’d also be worried about the patio and the potential for damp, but that can at least be remedied at a cost.
Given the orientation you should be able to find spots for morning and evening sun. Full sun may be a bit more tricky.
One thing to consider is what can you do with the front?
At my place the back garden is significantly shaded by the house (only 14m deep and almost square), so I am working on the South facing front facing the lane to make it a courtyard garden, and in due course I will have a large veranda that side and increase the height of all the walls to be around 2m.
,
I would check the species of tree, which seem not to be too large - 10-12m? - and discover the ultimate likely size, and how soon that may happen.
Then it's one for your skill and judgement.
Also, think about the prevailing wind and whether the partial block is a significant advantage and gives you a microclimate. Remember that windbreaks generate a sheltered patch on the *upwind* side as well as the downwind side. I'm guessing you are well aware of the local climate.
I'd also suggest a little think for what you would do if the new N just removed all of them.
This is the first house we are buying and I am definitely getting bogged down in thinking about all the eventualities and details.
Having read this thread, I am a lot more enlightened into the advantages of different types of garden.