Artjak, the raised area is a step as the current lawn height rose above the deck by about 2-3 inches. It probably looks a bit odd in that photo as the soil level is only half way up at one end and drops down to the base of it at the other. Hopefully once the grass grows up to it, it should look more like a step onto the lawn! The lawn has sunk in the centre so I'm attempting to top dress it to raise it up over the next 12 months. Should mean better drainage too. Anyone know what the best sand to top dress a lawn is? I was thinking sharp sand.
Woodgreen, the plot is 40ft wide, and from the french doors to the back fence, 40ft. The garden room steps out 12ft into the space so the total length from the back of the house is about 52ft but then there is the garage which digs into the opposite side of the garden.
The shed is 10x6 which isnt massive, but I think its quite tall so does impose a bit on the garden. I expected it to not quite be so much of a feature however its there now so I'll have to think about softening it off with some planting around it. I still need some kind of route/pathway to the shed which in my idea, has it running around the edge of the garden to the left hand side. I wont need it in summer too much, but I will need to access it in winter when the ground is going to be wet/muddy. As the garden is west facing, its the side which receives the least amount of sunlight anyway.
In a garden of this size I would try not to go for a planting scheme which appears"busy" to the eye. Some simple guidelines:-
Have a few, say 3 or 4 very eye catching trees/shrubs in key positions. Some height in the garden is good. Think about the eventual size before you plant, especially if you need to get behind them when bigger.
Colour themes of pinks with mauves and white i.e. the "cool" colours; or the "hot" colours of yellow, reds, oranges are good. However blue always looks good with yellow and I am a sucker for orange and mauve. So think colour combinations, that generally compliment each other.
Plant in drifts of a single flower.Odd numbers of 3, 5, 7s. Planting randomly in a dotty pattern rarely works.Let drifts "bleed" into one another to get the transition from one to another. Colour "rythmn" works i.e repeat a colour from time to time, without spacing them exact distances apart. Think how nature works.
Think seasonally. Underplant with Spring bulbs now to get a flying start next year ( wait to November for tulips) How about groups of alliums?
Then think of you summer stars, followed by autumn colour.
Your patio/decking gives you the opportunity of adding some stunning planters,with bulbs and annuals, and winter effects.
Finally have a look at other gardens to give you some ideas.
As I can't see a greenhouse I am assuming you won't be propagating a lot yourself. This gives you the opportunity to go to the garden centres to see what looks good with what, and a what times, seek advice, and buy instant results.
Woodgreen, that reply is exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for. I need advice particularly on planting schemes.
I wanted some height on the planter at the back, so was considering bamboo, with flax and the like around it. I've got an Acer which is yet to be planted out but don't know where to put that. In the back right corner is a pear tree, and apple tree beside the shed. In the bed down one side is a Mahonia and a Rhododendron. At the back is Euonymus, and a Philadelphus.
Would like to have some year round interest and I'd be willing to put in the work to maintain it. I want a garden which will be attractive but also attract wildlife for the benefit of my very young daughter to enjoy.
Good to think of wildlife... single flowers better than fancy doubles.
2 words of warning on your plant choices. nothing will grow under a Rhodi ( it basically poisons the ground for other plants) and choose a stool forming Bamboo, not one that spreads underground, Words like "stoloniferous" give the clue as to what is OK. Otherwise ask at the garden centre.
Yes, in ericaceous potting compost. Water only or mostly with rainwater. Keep moist and water especially in late summer /autumn when flower buds being formed. Large square pot. Round ones blow over more easily in wind.
If you want wildlife in, you can't get better than a buddleia cc. Stick it in a sunny spot and watch the butterflies and bees appear in their thousands next summer
There's loads of annuals which you can grow easily for bees and hoverflies too, and you'll get loads of suggestions for perennials/shrubs to attract them too. Sedums are good at this time of year and very easy. Spring bulbs are great for early nectar sources - you could stick a load of them in your new planters, and they'll be happy under whatever you eventually plant .....apart from bamboo unfortunately!
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
What depth should my borders be as a minimum, taking into account the garden size? Theyre currently about a metre deep on the side, and less than that at the rear.
Something has made the garden feel smaller by its presence. I'm not sure if its the deck, or the shed at the bottom of the garden. Despite digging up large areas which were dead spaces, It actually feels as if the garden is now much smaller than it was. Its something thats bugging me, as Im watching the grass take seed.
Is it because you can see straight to the sides of your garden? I like to have things in my way so you have go round them to see beyond if you get what I mean
Posts
Artjak, the raised area is a step as the current lawn height rose above the deck by about 2-3 inches. It probably looks a bit odd in that photo as the soil level is only half way up at one end and drops down to the base of it at the other. Hopefully once the grass grows up to it, it should look more like a step onto the lawn! The lawn has sunk in the centre so I'm attempting to top dress it to raise it up over the next 12 months. Should mean better drainage too. Anyone know what the best sand to top dress a lawn is? I was thinking sharp sand.
Woodgreen, the plot is 40ft wide, and from the french doors to the back fence, 40ft. The garden room steps out 12ft into the space so the total length from the back of the house is about 52ft but then there is the garage which digs into the opposite side of the garden.
The shed is 10x6 which isnt massive, but I think its quite tall so does impose a bit on the garden. I expected it to not quite be so much of a feature however its there now so I'll have to think about softening it off with some planting around it. I still need some kind of route/pathway to the shed which in my idea, has it running around the edge of the garden to the left hand side. I wont need it in summer too much, but I will need to access it in winter when the ground is going to be wet/muddy. As the garden is west facing, its the side which receives the least amount of sunlight anyway.
In a garden of this size I would try not to go for a planting scheme which appears"busy" to the eye. Some simple guidelines:-
Have a few, say 3 or 4 very eye catching trees/shrubs in key positions. Some height in the garden is good. Think about the eventual size before you plant, especially if you need to get behind them when bigger.
Colour themes of pinks with mauves and white i.e. the "cool" colours; or the "hot" colours of yellow, reds, oranges are good. However blue always looks good with yellow and I am a sucker for orange and mauve. So think colour combinations, that generally compliment each other.
Plant in drifts of a single flower.Odd numbers of 3, 5, 7s. Planting randomly in a dotty pattern rarely works.Let drifts "bleed" into one another to get the transition from one to another. Colour "rythmn" works i.e repeat a colour from time to time, without spacing them exact distances apart. Think how nature works.
Think seasonally. Underplant with Spring bulbs now to get a flying start next year ( wait to November for tulips) How about groups of alliums?
Then think of you summer stars, followed by autumn colour.
Your patio/decking gives you the opportunity of adding some stunning planters,with bulbs and annuals, and winter effects.
Finally have a look at other gardens to give you some ideas.
As I can't see a greenhouse I am assuming you won't be propagating a lot yourself. This gives you the opportunity to go to the garden centres to see what looks good with what, and a what times, seek advice, and buy instant results.
Bash on...
I wanted some height on the planter at the back, so was considering bamboo, with flax and the like around it. I've got an Acer which is yet to be planted out but don't know where to put that. In the back right corner is a pear tree, and apple tree beside the shed. In the bed down one side is a Mahonia and a Rhododendron. At the back is Euonymus, and a Philadelphus.
Would like to have some year round interest and I'd be willing to put in the work to maintain it. I want a garden which will be attractive but also attract wildlife for the benefit of my very young daughter to enjoy.
Good to think of wildlife... single flowers better than fancy doubles.
2 words of warning on your plant choices. nothing will grow under a Rhodi ( it basically poisons the ground for other plants) and choose a stool forming Bamboo, not one that spreads underground, Words like "stoloniferous" give the clue as to what is OK. Otherwise ask at the garden centre.
Sounds great so far.
Yes, in ericaceous potting compost. Water only or mostly with rainwater. Keep moist and water especially in late summer /autumn when flower buds being formed. Large square pot. Round ones blow over more easily in wind.
And a bit of shade for the rhodo cc!
If you want wildlife in, you can't get better than a buddleia cc. Stick it in a sunny spot and watch the butterflies and bees appear in their thousands next summer
There's loads of annuals which you can grow easily for bees and hoverflies too, and you'll get loads of suggestions for perennials/shrubs to attract them too. Sedums are good at this time of year and very easy. Spring bulbs are great for early nectar sources - you could stick a load of them in your new planters, and they'll be happy under whatever you eventually plant .....apart from bamboo unfortunately!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
The Budd. will fill the space left by your Rhoddi.
lots of colours to choose from. Have a look before your plunge for the bog standard colour.
What depth should my borders be as a minimum, taking into account the garden size? Theyre currently about a metre deep on the side, and less than that at the rear.
Something has made the garden feel smaller by its presence. I'm not sure if its the deck, or the shed at the bottom of the garden. Despite digging up large areas which were dead spaces, It actually feels as if the garden is now much smaller than it was. Its something thats bugging me, as Im watching the grass take seed.
Is it because you can see straight to the sides of your garden? I like to have things in my way so you have go round them to see beyond if you get what I mean