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Landscaping shaded end of garden - tree suggestions
rjwknight
Posts: 3
Hi,
We have lived in our property a year and have recently had the last 4 metres of our garden returned after being 'borrowed' for a large infrastructure project.
The contractors are now going to re-landscape this area and we need to provide the planting details.
The area is south facing, approximately 8.5 x 4m, and is shaded most of the day by a large oak tree to the east and a line of trees along the railway embankment behind the garden. Clear in a westerly direction so it gets the afternoon/evening sun.
Soil is sandy.
See attached photos and sketch.
The plan is to move a large shed to the south west corner and use the south east corner as a somewhat enclosed seating area. Probably with bound gravel base. The north of this area has 3 plum trees, which last year gave a small but tasty harvest, and a hazel.
We need to decide on the tree planting now, but will fill in ourselves with shrubs and other planting over time as we develop the space.
Ideally looking for suggestions of trees to go along the fence line that will do well in that area. Fruit trees would be nice, but anything that will do well and look pleasing would be considered.
Neighbours have 4 cats so consideration for birds, is alas, a bit pointless.
Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated.
Many thanks
We have lived in our property a year and have recently had the last 4 metres of our garden returned after being 'borrowed' for a large infrastructure project.
The contractors are now going to re-landscape this area and we need to provide the planting details.
The area is south facing, approximately 8.5 x 4m, and is shaded most of the day by a large oak tree to the east and a line of trees along the railway embankment behind the garden. Clear in a westerly direction so it gets the afternoon/evening sun.
Soil is sandy.
See attached photos and sketch.
The plan is to move a large shed to the south west corner and use the south east corner as a somewhat enclosed seating area. Probably with bound gravel base. The north of this area has 3 plum trees, which last year gave a small but tasty harvest, and a hazel.
We need to decide on the tree planting now, but will fill in ourselves with shrubs and other planting over time as we develop the space.
Ideally looking for suggestions of trees to go along the fence line that will do well in that area. Fruit trees would be nice, but anything that will do well and look pleasing would be considered.
Neighbours have 4 cats so consideration for birds, is alas, a bit pointless.
Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated.
Many thanks
0
Posts
You have given lots of useful info, but one more question.
How tall would you like the trees to be?
You already have those behind your garden do they make a lot of shade?
It is hard to tell how close or overhanging they are.
Something like a Japanese maple might be nice, so many leaf colours and shapes and sizes to choose from , they won't mind some shade.
I think we are looking at fairly small trees, those plum's are about 5m, so something that doesn't get hugely bigger than that.
The trees behind the fence mean that the part of the garden in the photo, gets no direct sunlight until mid late afternoon. It's still fairly 'bright' down there, but the trees along the boundary fully shade that part most of the day.
Overall we are looking to break up the fence and create a space that feels enclosed/private. The idea of the seating area, is for it to be somewhere that will be cooler to sit in the height of summer, due to the shade and surrounding planting, and somewhere to enjoy the last few hours of sunlight.
Will take a look at the maples, thanks.
I think 5 new trees are probably pushing it a bit, even if they are small ones. 3 might might better with perhaps some largish bushes in between. Have you considered the maintenance aspect? More trees mean more leaves, a good resource for leaf mulch as long as you have space for bins. There is also regular pruning to think of as well as disposal.
That being said, the usual suspects for small trees are rowans, crab apples and amelanchier. Small cherries might also suit. However rowans and crab apples will drop fruit onto your seating area so something else to take into account.
Edited to add, just looked out of my front window at my magnolia stellata, just coming into bloom now with white star like flowers. Another small tree, would look spectacular in twilight at the end of your garden.
As for decorative trees Cercis, betula Jacquemontii and Amalanchier should be OK to grow there and they aren't too big. The betula is the tallest but it is light and graceful.