@bmckinlay0007846, I've now remembered that I was looking online last week and saw some retractable privacy screens - sorry, can't remember what website. From memory, one side was fixed and you just pulled the other to another post - think kind of horizontal beach windbreaks style, without the stripes!
Would allow you the privacy when sitting outside but could be retracted when not, so letting more light through the windows.
Wowowow! So many helpful replied from everyone, thank you so much. I've not had a chance to look through each roky fully just yet, work has been flat out. It's on the agenda for tomorrow afternoon.
Also got some further proposed designs I'll upload here.
Thank you all, I will reply in more detail tomorrow!
Ps... Nairn is still cold and windy but brightening up. It's a sight colder than Madeira was last week anyway!
PS. Your "posh shed" looks lovely against the backdrop of tall trees. I can just see it with more shrubs etc on your side of it, like a semi-hidden woodland retreat at the bottom of the garden.
This is a great. I have been unsure of whether or not to plant our side of the shed, or draw a curved walkway directly to the door of the shed. I could perhaps do both and plant some nice shrubs on each side of the walk way and into the corner along with a wee tree to the R side of the shed to shelter it a bit! And thank you for the advice on the Rowan tree - it is not a happy tree at all. It's pretty bare in the summer and we've always wondered if we were doing something wrong with it.
I think the best option is a raised bed in that bit nearest your side entrance - to the left of where you have that arrow in your last pic. There isn't much room and planting anything substantial will compromise that area. Then a climber on it's own supports. You'll get some coverage from those neighbouring trees once they mature. You may not really need much along the rest of the wall, but a mix of shrubs and small trees would be good. I'd avoid that Photinia though. Even in drier, sunnier Nairn, they'll possibly look rubbish over winter. They're very prone to black spot etc, and need warmth and moisture to do well.
This is now what I am drafting up in Sketchup - a raised bed to add some depth to the patio and used a trellis to climb some clematis or ivy up to add interest. Great advice on the Photinia - I will look into this but i'm sure that is an easy call as we have no particular attachment to the species. Thank you!
I noticed you included a pear tree in your list of possibles. There are not many self ferile pears so you would need at least one if not two other pear varieties to ensure fruit if that was what you wanted. Some snake bark Acers planted along the wall could eventually be crown lifted when the heads were above the top of the wall to give summer privacy, look at evergreens if you want year round privacy. As above, you should leave quite a wide border from the base of the wall to give any trees planted enough water, soil and nutrition space.
Oh we love Acer trees - That's a great idea, I've not heard of crowning before but that would be a great shout. We were considering a 1-1.5m distance from the wall and then anove 1m from the tree to the lawn. Recon this would suffice?Loxley said:
Lovely garden with a lovely backdrop, and I think your wife is right to want to go with more naturalistic 'groves' that relate to the setting. Mini-groves of multi stem birch would look great. There is no reason why your border has to be straight, it can belly out to encompass the trees then swing back in an S-curve.
This is so siilar to what I am trying to visualise in my head - thank you! I wonder how I might incorporate the back of the house next to the shed in this (where the illustrated birch trees are currently). Maybe a wee woodland path that led around to a seat area next to the posh shed? Thank you!SueAtoo said:
Rather than a pergola, how about tall posts with "swags" of rope for climbers?
Yes, we have talked about this. Ropes and lighting strung across some taller posted to allow growth, interest, and reduce any impact on the sun. Love it. Thanks!
Here is the latest rendition I have come up with. The one complicated factor is that the distal end of the pergola walkway leading to the back door might impact the sunlight that hits the sitting area. However, I THINK I like the design, and I am sure there would be a crafty work-around for the sun. From 3pm the garden room on the right blocks the sunshine from this end of the house anyway so nil lost. The covered area in the illustration does not receive much sunlight for much of the day, so I recon would be a good spot for a covered pergola and outdoor living space.
The next mission is the middle of the garden, which has terrible drainage. I'm wondering about another grove here, that may facilitate the pear trees and allow for multiple pear tree species?
One thing I meant to say before is - create a solid path which you can use to access that little building. If you use it regularly, the grass will suffer, because we always tend to use the most direct route. One following the edge of the bed next to the wall would probably suit best if you go for that design. A bed coming round from the little building back to the house will give some scope for a more relaxed arrangement, and that will hopefully mean everyone is happy! I think some climbers on that building will also be ideal, and disguising the front of it a little bit with shrubs/planting, will encourage people to go and take a look at what's hiding behind that planting. Just take some time to get the shape of the lawn right - an organic shape can be quite difficult to achieve successfully.
I can't help with the fruit trees. The only ones I've ever tried are apples. I don't know how well pears will do in your area. Perhaps take a look at how Beechgrove do them, and what types they use. You can usually get their factsheets on line with info.
Glad you had a little break with some sun before coming back to the winter
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
One thing I meant to say before is - create a solid path which you can use to access that little building. If you use it regularly, the grass will suffer, because we always tend to use the most direct route. One following the edge of the bed next to the wall would probably suit best if you go for that design. A bed coming round from the little building back to the house will give some scope for a more relaxed arrangement, and that will hopefully mean everyone is happy! I think some climbers on that building will also be ideal, and disguising the front of it a little bit with shrubs/planting, will encourage people to go and take a look at what's hiding behind that planting. Just take some time to get the shape of the lawn right - an organic shape can be quite difficult to achieve successfully.
I can't help with the fruit trees. The only ones I've ever tried are apples. I don't know how well pears will do in your area. Perhaps take a look at how Beechgrove do them, and what types they use. You can usually get their factsheets on line with info.
Glad you had a little break with some sun before coming back to the winter
Aye the path over to the shed will be difficult as a result of where they put the damn door. And as you say, we will always take the quickest/most direct route to the other side of the garden. I may just run a straight path from the house to the other side, which will eventually become a bbq/fire pit area for the evening sun.
We have ordered a few birch and an Juneberry tree to get us started this season. I am thinking of creating a wee grove just next to the seating area next to the house, and may incorporate a wee bird bath or something. Sarah has always enjoyed sitting in the sun watching the birds come down to feeders we hung on the rowan tree.
A source of water for the birds is always a good move, and if you don't want to do a wildlife pond, a birdbath, or two, is a good alternative, especially when you're feeding them. Great entertainment, and even more so in winter when you're inside looking out rather than sitting out in a bit of sun I know what you mean about the path. I still think the likelihood is that you'll nip along the most direct route, which is why I suggested having one following the edge of the border. You can always try it initially with something cheap - timber edging and gravel or bark, and if you don't like it, you can opt for the other side. If the direct one seems best, you can then make it a more permanent surface. You could always have both of course
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Spent a good day getting out trees in the ground but I am now doubting the Amelanchier is going to sit well where we put it. What do you think? Perhaps it needs to be planted somewhere where it will be its own feature i.e., middle of the garden beside the wall maybe?
I have tried to illustrate this again with Sketchup. The white tree illustrates the Amelanchier, and the two green trees are silver birch. We were thinking a wee bird bath on the patio side of the Amelanchier as a nice area to sit and bird watch. But it feels quite out of place and random at the moment.
Can take some real pictures tomorrow if that's helpful ... but they are just twigs due to the winter! ha
I think the amelanchier would sit better with the other two if it was between them and nearer the patio, so a triangle effect. Line it up with the middle of the three green plants on the patio wall.
Posts
Would allow you the privacy when sitting outside but could be retracted when not, so letting more light through the windows.
Also got some further proposed designs I'll upload here.
Thank you all, I will reply in more detail tomorrow!
Ps... Nairn is still cold and windy but brightening up. It's a sight colder than Madeira was last week anyway!
This is now what I am drafting up in Sketchup - a raised bed to add some depth to the patio and used a trellis to climb some clematis or ivy up to add interest. Great advice on the Photinia - I will look into this but i'm sure that is an easy call as we have no particular attachment to the species. Thank you!
The next mission is the middle of the garden, which has terrible drainage. I'm wondering about another grove here, that may facilitate the pear trees and allow for multiple pear tree species?
A bed coming round from the little building back to the house will give some scope for a more relaxed arrangement, and that will hopefully mean everyone is happy! I think some climbers on that building will also be ideal, and disguising the front of it a little bit with shrubs/planting, will encourage people to go and take a look at what's hiding behind that planting. Just take some time to get the shape of the lawn right - an organic shape can be quite difficult to achieve successfully.
I can't help with the fruit trees. The only ones I've ever tried are apples. I don't know how well pears will do in your area. Perhaps take a look at how Beechgrove do them, and what types they use. You can usually get their factsheets on line with info.
Glad you had a little break with some sun before coming back to the winter
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
We have ordered a few birch and an Juneberry tree to get us started this season. I am thinking of creating a wee grove just next to the seating area next to the house, and may incorporate a wee bird bath or something. Sarah has always enjoyed sitting in the sun watching the birds come down to feeders we hung on the rowan tree.
I know what you mean about the path. I still think the likelihood is that you'll nip along the most direct route, which is why I suggested having one following the edge of the border. You can always try it initially with something cheap - timber edging and gravel or bark, and if you don't like it, you can opt for the other side. If the direct one seems best, you can then make it a more permanent surface.
You could always have both of course
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I have tried to illustrate this again with Sketchup. The white tree illustrates the Amelanchier, and the two green trees are silver birch. We were thinking a wee bird bath on the patio side of the Amelanchier as a nice area to sit and bird watch. But it feels quite out of place and random at the moment.
Can take some real pictures tomorrow if that's helpful ... but they are just twigs due to the winter! ha
Any suggestions greatly appreciated!