Soulless and dull

lauraineclarke · 11 March

Hi, last year we had our patio slabs re bedded. Whilst this worked to a ( expensive) degree, it’s created a drainage problem. I’m recent disabled and love being outside but my space is quite depressing. Looking at the sun in the middle, you can see by the black area the water collects at one side - I’ve thought about lifting the slabs again and realigning or maybe doing something - incorporating some kind of border or something around the sun. We’ve spent a fortune on this garden but it still looks soulless, can you help please

tui34 · 11 March

....because there are no plants = no movement = no colour = no personality = no fun!

Fairygirl · 11 March

Is there any way you could incorporate some large planters, if there's no ground to plant into? Having some purpose built ones would be better than buying pots as they're rarely big enough to accommodate a lot of plants, and are therefore more work in the long run. Something to give you a climber or two over the sheds and horizontal screen/posts would help

I wouldn't worry too much about the marking - a stiff brush and some soapy water would sort that. It's pretty common, and might be a big job if you start removing the paving again. If you want some planting there though, taking away the whole line right round the central feature, would be more effective

JennyJ · 11 March

If rainwater is collecting in a particular spot on the paving instead of draining off onto the grass, it suggests that the slope isn't right (or isn't consistent, anyway). I think it could be an expensive job to get it fixed though, so you might prefer to live with it.

In terms of adding character and "soul", I agree with @tui34 , it's crying out for some substantial planting to add three-dimensional shape and colour, and to soften all the hard landscaping, fences and structures. If you can't lift any paving or grass to make planting areas, large deep containers would be the best bet but will need more care, in particular watering, which might not be practical for you if you don't have help (you mentioned a disability but not the extent to which it affects what you can do in the garden).

lauraineclarke · 11 March

thank yo7 so much for your replies. Definately needs some colour and some planters to break up the vastness of the slabs. I have to be mindful also of what I can actually do owing to my physical limitations. I think it’s does look much worse now after such a damp winter.

There are borders to the sides of the sun and patio. I think the one to the left ( bottom image ) which has the low sleepers needs some height? What trees would you recommend?
the one to the right ( blue play shed ) was a sort of dell with stepping stones for my grandchildren but since my surgical catastrophe I can barely lift a plant pot!
great answers though, thank you !

lauraineclarke · 11 March

tui34 said:

....because there are no plants = no movement = no colour = no personality = no fun!

Sums me up perfectly 🤣🤣

Fairygirl · 11 March

Have you got someone who can help you though @lauraineclarke?
Even planting up a small area which doesn't need any attention to begin with, could be a bridge too far for you just now. We don't want you getting into any more bother to add to your current situation!

Things like Amelanchier are always good for giving some height but without being oppressive. We often suggest that as a small tree. They're very easy too.

Ceres · 11 March

Hi @lauraineclarke.

One question seems to be the most important. Are you able to water potted plants or newly planted things in the borders? If carrying a small watering can isn't a problem then you could consider the odd medium sized planter of traditional summer bedding such as pelargoniums with tumbling foliage, or plants that don't need anything in the way of dead heading such as Erigeron karvinskianus which will flower all summer and with luck, still be alive the following year.

Evergreen, perennial grasses are also great for adding movement and colour to a garden and require very little maintenance. A quick comb through in spring to remove the dead bits and the plants should look good for months to come. They can be grown in pots or the border.

Ivy, much maligned, is lovely in pots and being evergreen will look good in the winter too. It's tough as old boots and comes in variegated forms as well as plain green though the latter has a gothic charm all its own. I wouldn't recommend you grow it over your fences as that will require a fair bit of maintenance.

You have a lovely space to grow so many things so it really comes down to how much you are able to manage.

AnniD · 11 March

If you could give just a general idea of what you are able to manage, it would be a help in terms of giving advice

As @fairygirl suggested, an Amelanchier is a good idea as a tree for a small garden. Spring blossom, dark berries (much loved by my local blackbirds and pigeons), and good Autumn colour.

If it would be easier to manage with raised beds and tall pots then there are plenty of suggestions for planting to give year round interest. I'm guessing it's a quite sunny garden ?
As mentioned above, do you have someone to help with the planting, pot buying/positioning/ filling with compost type of work ?

lauraineclarke · 11 March

thanks again for your replies, I’m already feeling better about my space. I don’t really have anyone to help, my husband isn’t interested. Ceres, I am able to do light planting and watering, I wouldn’t be able to dig a hole to plant a tree but I could get someone in for tha maybe. I like the idea of Amelanchier and already have one in the garden and yes I love it. The left side of the garden is shady so will research to see if it would be ok there. I’ve already had some ideas to break up the slabs.
AnniD, the garden is west facing so yes is fairly sunny although the left border is shady.

I was thinking something like pic below to span the width of the sun square with some swishy and colourful plants in the planters ?

Fairygirl · 11 March

There are also plenty of shrubs which would work if you don't want another Amelanchier. Is that border reasonably shady? It looks as if you have an Acer in there. There are plenty of low growing shrubs and perennials which will be happy, and then you wouldn't need to spend much time on maintenance, assuming the soil is reasonably healthy. The old favourite combination of hardy geraniums and bulbs is always a good bet to give some decent colour for many months, but with minimal attention.

Your seat/bench with planters would certainly be a good solution to save lifting paving, but anything potted needs more attention. If you line the boxes - old compost bags or bin bags will do, that will help preserve them, and if you add some supports, you could have Sweet peas, or other annual climbers like Ipomoea or Thunbergia and all are quite easy from seed. There are plenty of choices of colour in those three plants too, and they're readily available.

Soulless and dull

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