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Shape of new borders

SmallcopperSmallcopper Posts: 34
in Garden design
Hi all,

I'm thinking about how to add more space for planting into our garden. We moved in a year ago and haven't done much yet, other than lifting the turf on a square section next to the patio to make some border space. 

I'm thinking of extending the beds towards the back of the garden, with the plan to have cottage style planting nearer the patio and more of a woodland garden towards the back. I'm not after specific space for vegetables/ greenhouse/ shed.

I'd like to add climbers/ shrubs on the left hand side against the fence (if our neighbour is ok with me putting some wires up as we share the fence), and a few clematis on the right. There is a clematis montana and some honeysuckle (which comes over from the other neighbour) there now, but the flowering was a bit patchy last summer. I'd also like some more evergreen shrubs/ winter interest, so I got a couple of cornus which I need to decide where to put!

The garden faces south, but is fairly shady because of the trees at the bottom and just visible in our neighbours' gardens. The soil is heavy clay (needs improving!), slightly acidic and we're in South Cumbria, so we get a lot of rain. 

I've been trying to draw out the shape of the borders for a while and would love any input and suggestions from you please, as I have't designed a garden before. Do you have any other ideas or thoughts?

The marked up picture shows what I was considering. It was a panorama photo to fit everything in, so the perspective is a little skewed - there' more space on the left hand side than it seems. There's a front-on picture as well. 

Thank you so much for any thoughts - really appreciate it! (PS. please excuse the pile of pruning :) )



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Posts

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited 4 February
    Looks good!  People often say that by the time you have put in a pond one wishes it were at least double the size. I would advise to go as large and have areas deep as you can stand. This will open up more options to plants you can grow in, the cover you can offer and benefits to wildlife and will need topping up less often.

    What is the tree on the left?
  • SmallcopperSmallcopper Posts: 34

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    message above edited
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    I really like the almost oval shaped of the resulting lawn. If that was my space I'd add a small structure at the far end to draw the eye that way. A gazebo or a generous enclosed seat or a small summerhouse would add interest and somewhere to go to, to encourage movement across. Presumably you want that wheelbarrow to be stored somewhere so maybe with a bit of storage may be an idea. 

    You could also make the right hand bed more undulating to blur a bit the back edge of the garden which will make it look bigger and give you space for more plants.

    Such a lovely project, it has so much potential to make it your own. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited 4 February
    I agree a pergola/summer house at the end would be lovely. Maybe an arch in the middle of the garden to break up the space and create sections; nice to grow things over too?  It sounds like you might have tool storage elsewhere.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Your plan looks good as it will hide the fences on the left and right and the planting will then soften the edges of your garden. An uncomplicated lawn shape makes it easier to mow and maintain. Borders near the patio also help to create a feeling of seclusion. I had a long, narrow and sloping garden in a previous property which I divided with a hedge and arch, seen here before and after. I don’t like seeing a shed in a garden but a summerhouse as a focal point would be attractive.



    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • SmallcopperSmallcopper Posts: 34
    Thank you so much everyone! 

    It's a damson tree on the left, which was a lovely surprise. I would like a big pond, probably have to be a bit careful of the roots when digging it though!

    That is a nice idea about a summer house or something at the end. There was a small shed before we moved in under the tree on the right, but it wasn't in good condition and was taken down. I've been keeping tools in the room which opens onto the garden or by the back door, which probably isn't great.. so maybe some storage would be good. It's mainly shady at the bottom of the garden - do you think any flowering climbers would be happy there to grow up a structure?

    I did think about having a hedge of some sort across the middle of the garden with an arch so you'd have to walk through it to the bottom of the garden, but I thought it might cut sun to the top. What do you think?
  • SmallcopperSmallcopper Posts: 34
    Thank you for sharing the before and after photos @Plantminded! It looks lovely - you've got so much in there!
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited 4 February
    maybe spend time equinox to equinox tracking the course and height of the sun through the year. The sun rises and sets in a different spot each day and the change and angle of swing over a month can be surprising. It can be useful to mock up structures to get a feel ahead of time and test dimensions  - using string/rope, paper, cardboard,  ladders etc. 

    You don't have to do things all at once. It can be good to try a thing out and live with it for a bit. The more you look and sit in the space, the more ideas and perspectives will come along. Notice if something bugs you, or if you visit other gardens you spot something that delights you.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    It might be an idea to shift the pond away from the tree so you avoid the roots and to avoid leaves clogging up the water. 
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
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