I like the fact that you can see the sunlit lawn beyond the fence at the end of the garden - is that the neighbour's garden? Privacy issues notwithstanding it would be nice to retain a chink of that longer view even if you narrow it down a bit.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
Yes @Fire I should definitely do that more carefully - every time I see the sun come out I think I should remember where it hits, and never do. I think I'll start with extending the borders and go from there!
We do get a lot of leaves @Loxley, perhaps the pond would be better on the other side, for some reason (not sure why!) I always put it on the left.
This is a bit of a left field suggestion, but perhaps have a look at Darren Harwood's cottage garden, not so much for the planting, as the structures. He's a rose nut (in the best sense). It could be a similar size to yours and has gone to town on 'adding interest'. He used small arches and trellis and beds to break up space. It might be of interest.
I think the main obstacles for shade in your garden are the trees at the bottom, judging by the shadows in your first photo. I’d be inclined to raise the canopies if possible by removing some of the lower branches. In my former garden there were large trees in the neighbour’s garden at the rear which limited what I could grow in that area. I didn’t mind though as I couldn’t see his house when the trees were in leaf!
I like the fact that you can see the sunlit lawn beyond the fence at the end of the garden - is that the neighbour's garden? Privacy issues notwithstanding it would be nice to retain a chink of that longer view even if you narrow it down a bit.
I like that too @Loxley and that's a good idea to keep it in view a bit! It's a paddock area which is ours, so no problem with privacy. I started some veg beds there last year, and planning to do some cut flowers this year as it gets more sun!
I think the main obstacles for shade in your garden are the trees at the bottom, judging by the shadows in your first photo. I’d be inclined to raise the canopies if possible by removing some of the lower branches. In my former garden there were large trees in the neighbour’s garden at the rear which limited what I could grow in that area. I didn’t mind though as I couldn’t see his house when the trees were in leaf!
Yes, you're right @Plantminded. In the summer, the top nearer the patio gets much more sun, but there is a long shadow cast. The fences either side also probably don't get as much sun as they could because there's a tree in each of the neighbours' gardens too. What plants did well for you in the shadier bits?
I have grown shade lovers like Hydrangeas, Acers, ferns, Fatsia japonica and Mahonia in shade @Smallcopper, plus many plants that will happily tolerate light shade like Arbutus unedo, Griselinia, Phormium and ornamental grasses like Hakonechloa, Sesleria and Calamagrostis Karl Foerster. Perennials like Aquilegia, Foxgloves, Geum, Nepeta and Erigeron karvinskianus also grow well in light shade in my current garden, along with bulbs like daffodils, Anemone nemorosa and snowdrops. There are many other options!
I started some veg beds there last year, and planning to do some cut flowers this year as it gets more sun!
If you are interested in growing cut flowers in a field, this grower - Georgie - is an amazing resource. She has been flower farming in Somerset for 15 years and leads the UK field in small scale flower growing for the market. She gives very practical advice with pretty breathtaking results.
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We do get a lot of leaves @Loxley, perhaps the pond would be better on the other side, for some reason (not sure why!) I always put it on the left.