I'm pretty much sold on the shingle idea now. I stopped on my way through dungeness this morning for a bit more inspiration. I've got a lot of photos of the natural plants found there and will go through these and see what is suitable, unfortunately some of them are toxic to animals so I can't use them. There are some old railway lines hidden in the dunes from when the area around the power station used to be a source of shingle for the railway. This gave me the idea of laying something similar to act as a sort of path leading to the shed. I need to look into what would be likely to survive. I don't think standard treated timber would have a particularly long life before rotting. I have got a rough idea of how I might lay out the path and planting areas, I just need to have a better look at plants including those already suggested now.
I agree that grass is not a good option. The shingle and sleepers sounds really interesting. That's what I'd go with too. Glad to see they you're feeling a bit more enthusiastic about your garden😊
I think you're heading the right way, and it'll save you a lot of faffing, trying to get something thriving in a site that doesn't suite it. I meant to ask you about your workshop and where you needed to go back and forth to - I thought it was probably your gate on the right side of the pic? You could do something simple set into the gravel by using those concrete gravel boards [if they come in a suitable size] or even just by making concrete slabs, using a timber frame, that suits the space in terms of length and width, to make the access easier for you. There are also rectangular paving slabs which look like timber, which might suit, although that might be a pricier option. The edging ones for containing paths can be good too - set on edge like a really narrow little slab, and close together. Pricey again, but worth thinking about, and you could browse the DIY stores to see what they have that could work It's not too hard to do the home made ones, and would possibly fit with a slightly more rustic look. Paths don't have to be in completely straight lines like paving on a patio either - they can be a bit offset and random. Planting can fit around them to soften the look. Your plants don't have to be completely like that garden either - loads of standard plants will be fine. It's just a question of prepping the ground, and choosing things that suit your climate. Many plants are unfussy, so once you have your hard landscaping done, you can think about that. Grasses are good too, and some are smaller and evergreen, and many are tall and give you variation with other plants. @Plantminded uses lots and so does @GardenerSuze , so they might be able to post some photos to show you if they see my tags on their names. It's very exciting for you. I get fed up with my garden every so often and completely change things. I don't think I really like gardening in the normal sense - I just like creating something new! I've always done that. I like a challenge
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Hello there @purplegerbil. Following @Fairygirl's prompt, although I grow many grasses on sandy soil, some of them might suit your situation, namely Calamagrostis Karl Foerster and Panicum Northwind. They both grow up to about 1.5m tall in my garden and are columnar, remaining upright throughout winter until pruned to ground level in early spring. They will provide a vertical element to your planting and look good if surrounded by a shingle mulch. Good luck with your creation of a relaxing space, the grasses will provide sound and movement during the growing season plus interest over winter, reflecting any winter sun.
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I've got a lot of photos of the natural plants found there and will go through these and see what is suitable, unfortunately some of them are toxic to animals so I can't use them.
There are some old railway lines hidden in the dunes from when the area around the power station used to be a source of shingle for the railway. This gave me the idea of laying something similar to act as a sort of path leading to the shed. I need to look into what would be likely to survive. I don't think standard treated timber would have a particularly long life before rotting.
I have got a rough idea of how I might lay out the path and planting areas, I just need to have a better look at plants including those already suggested now.
I meant to ask you about your workshop and where you needed to go back and forth to - I thought it was probably your gate on the right side of the pic? You could do something simple set into the gravel by using those concrete gravel boards [if they come in a suitable size] or even just by making concrete slabs, using a timber frame, that suits the space in terms of length and width, to make the access easier for you. There are also rectangular paving slabs which look like timber, which might suit, although that might be a pricier option. The edging ones for containing paths can be good too - set on edge like a really narrow little slab, and close together. Pricey again, but worth thinking about, and you could browse the DIY stores to see what they have that could work
It's not too hard to do the home made ones, and would possibly fit with a slightly more rustic look. Paths don't have to be in completely straight lines like paving on a patio either - they can be a bit offset and random. Planting can fit around them to soften the look. Your plants don't have to be completely like that garden either - loads of standard plants will be fine. It's just a question of prepping the ground, and choosing things that suit your climate. Many plants are unfussy, so once you have your hard landscaping done, you can think about that. Grasses are good too, and some are smaller and evergreen, and many are tall and give you variation with other plants. @Plantminded uses lots and so does @GardenerSuze , so they might be able to post some photos to show you if they see my tags on their names.
It's very exciting for you. I get fed up with my garden every so often and completely change things. I don't think I really like gardening in the normal sense - I just like creating something new! I've always done that. I like a challenge
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...