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Help transforming boxy garden!

philip_grundy12387535philip_grundy12387535 Posts: 1
in Garden design
Any advice or tips for transforming this plain, square garden? We want more privacy on the outer wall and keen to keep some of the lawn for kids. It's north-facing.e g

Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Oh my, what a lovely plot!

    You have space to create quite generous planting areas, but also maintain decent amounts of lawn. Going for organic flowy shapes would be my first thought, and carving into the lawn will radically transform the space for virtually no budget. (Except the planting!)



    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited December 2023
    I agree with @Loxley your garden could look amazing if you really go for it. When it matures you won't see all of the garden at once which will add interest.Planting will be expensive as mentioned. If you can buy some large pots of perennials and split them that will help. Drifts if plants in 3/5/7 of each plant will bring things together.
    Advice on planting is here if you would like other gardeners thoughts. Your soil type and if you live in the North or South is helpful.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    It is indeed a fabulous plot, but how much for the children and a consideration of how they will be playing?

    If it is going to be footballs then you need some tough plants that will take a bit of a beating and bounce back.
    That may make a difference to how members suggest you plant and plan it.
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    I would totally preserve the openness and view across at the end...when planted as suggested above it will add depth. There's something very oppressive to me with gardens that have a rigid evergreen ending. But then I don't care for privacy in what is an outdoor space. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    edited December 2023
    If the children need a big football/running around area, I would make a deep border across the back and plant it with tough shrubs, a mixture of evergreen and deciduous, with flowers at different times of year, and tough spring bulbs underneath/in between and a bark mulch or similar - aiming to break up the view beyond with something interesting rather than completely block it with a solid "wall" of tall evergreen hedging.
    Small children seem to like to run around and behind trees so I think I'd leave the grass around the two trees on the left (looking towards the bottom of the garden) for now. When the children older you can add in borders at the sides, more delicate plants, and break up the space in the middle if you like.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
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