Having recently tackled something very similar it’s certainly a challenge! I went with an element of terracing to form plant beds. Looks like a great site though and you have the added protection of the trees which should help
With our new house, we have inherited a large-ish, steep garden. It falls away approximately 15 metres from boundary to boundary, so a lot of the garden is substantially downhill from the house. There are some terraced bits, some steep ‘tellytubby’ slopes, some extremely steep parts, and an old (and large) drained pond
My previous garden was small and flat, so planning was much simpler. All the CAD programs I’ve seen appear to be straightforward plan views, but in this garden, any spot is seen from above, below, a level view and both sides, so I’m struggling with how to start. There are a number of very mature shrubs and trees scattered around, but otherwise no planting.
Is there a CAD program that allows 3d planning, that is accessible for a relative beginner?
And are there any gardens with this sort of terrain that I should look up for inspiration? I’m in Kent, but don’t mind travelling, as we visit friends and family all over the UK.
I would agree, think long term and have terraces built when finances allow. We all get older each day and you never know when you may unexpectedly find you can no longer negotiate the slopes without level paths. Make sure the paths are wide enough for two people to walk alongside each other and make the beds wide enough to walk amongst fully grown plants. The idea of rooms with seats would be lovely. You have a lovely setting. A climbing rope and a set of crampons might be added to your Christmas present request list!
Wow - what an exciting garden. I'm sure you are aware but being north facing it will get zero sunshine for a good portion of the year so that will dictate planting. I think your thoughts of a meandering path rather than anything too formal. Planting wise ferns, hostas, hydrangeas would all be good in that space.
A very different scale but I've recently done a major garden redesign on a slope (sloping upwards from the house) and my only advice is formalising terraces is very very expensive.
Wow - what an exciting garden. I'm sure you are aware but being north facing it will get zero sunshine for a good portion of the year so that will dictate planting. I think your thoughts of a meandering path rather than anything too formal. Planting wise ferns, hostas, hydrangeas would all be good in that space.
A very different scale but I've recently done a major garden redesign on a slope (sloping upwards from the house) and my only advice is formalising terraces is very very expensive.
Thank you for sharing your photos, your garden looks beautiful.
I definitely do have some shady areas to contend with- although that’s a bit of a boon in the part of Kent we’re in, it tends to get hotter than most of the UK, so both plants and people enjoy it. I think I probably need to keep track of which bits get sun, and for how much of the day.
I tracked the sun in my garden and was very useful.
High Beeches gardens and Compton Acres are two gardens in the South I'm aware of which are on slopes if you fancy some inspiration. An Italian feel would suit the top part of garden potentially.
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I would agree, think long term and have terraces built when finances allow. We all get older each day and you never know when you may unexpectedly find you can no longer negotiate the slopes without level paths. Make sure the paths are wide enough for two people to walk alongside each other and make the beds wide enough to walk amongst fully grown plants. The idea of rooms with seats would be lovely. You have a lovely setting.
A climbing rope and a set of crampons might be added to your Christmas present request list!
A very different scale but I've recently done a major garden redesign on a slope (sloping upwards from the house) and my only advice is formalising terraces is very very expensive.
Photos of my garden: https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1076105/sloped-garden-before-and-after-pictures#latest
High Beeches gardens and Compton Acres are two gardens in the South I'm aware of which are on slopes if you fancy some inspiration. An Italian feel would suit the top part of garden potentially.