Forum home› Garden design
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

New garden - need plants. Want a contemporary modern look to the garden can anyone offer any advice

«1

Posts

  • Liza6Liza6 Posts: 65
    Only need along the bottom edge as will be a conservatory  built soon. Any advice / suggestions re planting or what to do would be massively appreciated!!
  • Liza6Liza6 Posts: 65
    The length is about 7 fences along the bottom not captured in picture 


  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Couple of nice contemporary gardens here and here. (Lucy Wilcox is one of my favourite designers!) Is this the type of thing you like? You need to work out the general layout before adding planting I think.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • edhelkaedhelka Posts: 2,351
    Planting is the easy part. The layout or the actual design is the tricky part - and that's what gives you that modern contemporary look you're after.
    More info needed - what do you want from the garden, any wants or needs (seating area, sun/shade/privacy, something for kids or pets, a place to grow something edible...), any plans for hard landscaping, budget... Also more info about the space (its shape once the conservatory is built), aspect and soil.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I can remember a TV programme with Alan Titchmarch where he said don't put all your plants at the edges of the garden, it is like pushing the furniture to the sides of the room.
    Aspect is also critical and soil. Also in a new build you cannot be sure what is under the grass often lots of rubbish. Perhaps work across the garden at an angle? As said there are lots of ideas for plants look at Prairie style planting and use up to a third of grasses.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Liza6Liza6 Posts: 65
    Interesting thank you  very much for those replies -  basically I am wanting  some colour along the fencing and a bit of height to hide the windows in the next road ! So Def privacy, but no other requirements as seating and other factors are being dealt with at the top of the garden. I am just more stuck on best shrubs/ plants) trees to bring in . My main area of concern is along the fencing . No particular budget just want  it to look attractive and easy to maintain!! Agree there is probably poor soul under the turf so was wondering about a build raised bed for planting ? 
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    Liza6 

    ...... Agree there is probably poor soul under the turf so was wondering about a build raised bed for planting ? 
    Oh I do hope there isn't a poor soul under the turf.......😬😉😁

    I'd investigate what is under the turf first - maybe dig a couple of small holes in a couple of spots. You can check out what type of soil you have as well as seeing what the builders left behind - it will all influence your planting.

    I wouldn't be in a big hurry. Draw up some plans.

    Modern gardens often have quite a lot of hard landscaping to provide the 'bones' and it will save time and money if you can get that right before you start planting. 
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • Liza6Liza6 Posts: 65
    Lovely thank you 😂😂😂 poor soil indeed !!!
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Liza6 That is the very best advice from @Topbird take your time the best gardens evolve. Start with the bones first and then the plants 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    If you want to get started with something now, perhaps you could train Pyracantha diagonally against the fence, in time you will be able to clip it like a hedge and allow it to grow higher than the fence - screening the neighbour's windows. This will give something to look at for now, and will provide a backdrop for whatever you decide to do with your garden. It's evergreen and you will have flowers that pollinators love in early summer, and red or orange berries that birds love in autumn/winter. In autumn it will be available cheaply as bare root stock.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
Sign In or Register to comment.