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Focal point

pitter-patterpitter-patter Posts: 2,429
in Garden design
I’ve made this path in order to have better access to the plants growing in the border. On the left there’s a sitting area with a clematis growing on the side of it and a large yew tree. The path ends with the yew tree which is a focal point in itself. However. I find my eye being drawn to this empty corner between the shed and the fence. There’s a small columnar berberis growing there, but it’s very slow to develop (no wonder, it’s a very dry patch). Any ideas about how I could improve this?


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  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Can't be too dry @pitter-patter if you've got fritillaries and brunnera growing there, have you tried feeding and watering the berberis to entice it to grow a bit taller?

    Like the path!
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Do you have a bird bath that you could reposition there? Or have you considered using your shed or fence to display some contemporary garden art?  I like rusted metal work, there are some excellent independent artists you can find online, not the mass produced items you see on gardening sites or sold through certain warehouse based sellers!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • pitter-patterpitter-patter Posts: 2,429
    @Lizzie27 I think probably more patience is needed with the berberis. I’m not very good at looking after that corner unfortunately. Were I to redesign the garden, I would make the sitting area next to the shed.

    @Plantminded That is something I was considering. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can afford an original piece of art. I might have a go at creating something myself maybe.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    There’s a company called Garden Art and Sculpture which might give you some ideas @pitter-patter.  I’m having difficulty pasting a link but that might result in being flagged. Other suppliers are available!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • Butterfly66Butterfly66 Posts: 970
    edited April 2023
    Here you go https://www.gardenartandsculpture.co.uk/ 🙂

    Very tempting website to browse 🙄🙂
     If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”—Marcus Tullius Cicero
    East facing, top of a hill clay-loam, cultivated for centuries (7 years by me). Birmingham
  • pitter-patterpitter-patter Posts: 2,429
    Indeed it is, @Butterfly66. Thank you, @Plantminded. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    How long has the berberis been in? They take a few years to establish and start growing. It won't appreciate being too dry though, especially during the first couple of years   :)
    How much room is there in the site? If it's not very large, a sculptural piece, as mentioned, might be the best solution. Another trick is the 'fake gate' on the fence, making it look like the garden continues beyond that boundary.  :)
    An additional clematis, to work with the one that's there,  would also be good for disguising the fence - perhaps one of the early, small flowered ones, and would be particularly good if you used the  fake gate to blur boundaries. It would be a nice backdrop for a sculpture too.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited April 2023
    @pitter-patter Not easy at all. Your path really does need to lead to something. Alot depends on personal taste. If your photo had been taken further back is the eye drawn away from the path and you see the 6ft fence?
    If so you need something strong to lead the eye and not look as if it has been pushed into a corner.
    There are alot of options but you may not be happy with any of them and could be an expensive mistake too.

    I would start off by standing a pot in the corner just to get an idea of perspective. Stand back as far as you can to view, is the eye still drawing you to the fence? If so put a temporary cane wigwam inside the pot to see if that helps. Or you could remove the pot and create a 6ft 'cane obelisk'  again stand back and look. The fence it's self could also be a problem so check that looks ok.

    Tall slim pots are always expensive and if they look lost or the ground isn't level they can look wrong. Again if  the fence is slightly off that can also look strange. You need to have a go as you say. Find something you like stand back yet again and then live with it for a while.
    Tall plants in a shady spot can be difficult too, I have a square rustic obelisk 6ft tall 2ft wide. it has Sanguisorba Cangshan Cranberry growing in it as a support for later in the season. Or a climbing Dientra but not hardy.
    A shrub you could consider is Euonymous Green Pillar or E Jean Hughes now in the GC's grown as a cone in a pot? If it doesn't stand straight it will look wrong. 

    Sorry if this is a waffle. Happy Easter.

    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Something like this may work for you.
    It's a dry and shady area, but the 2 types of ivy and ferns seem happy enough and makes a nice backdrop for the statue.



    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited April 2023
    I’d go with a faux gateway … leading the eye and mind along the path …

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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