Your garden is like mine, but almost exactly twice the length! I have only just started on mine but yours is looking good - hopefully how mine will look in a few weeks .
You've done a lot so far and I think it's the right thing to do to make it look like a winding path that goes somewhere. I think it's needing something to break it up though in the middle and I'm inclined to suggest a pergola with some good planting up and over it and maybe somewhere to sit there but at very least say an arch or trellis with a gap through.
I'd also want to get some large architectural plants on those curves in the borders you've dug out. That way when it's all grown it will be something to lead the eye and break the view.
I also have an urge to get that fence covered with something of interest and I'd be inclined to go for a variety of things. So trellis with something that flowers and smells nice: clematis, honeysuckle, jasmin. And because I'm me, I'd go for several things to bring a riot of colour
I'd also be inclined to get some planters on part of the fence and then I'd want some big tall things against it... whatever you like. I also notice that the fence looks like it has brick blocks going right down to ground level. I don't know if that's your fence or your neighbours but it in my opinion, it needs to have some gaps for wildlife. (hedgehogs)
I think my Geoff Hamilton DVD set has him visit a lady who had a garden exactly like that and she broke it up in a really clever but casual way and it was absolutely stunning. She wasn't a fussy or expert gardener - just had a flair for breaking up areas and positioning things in the space to make it look a completely different type of garden.
Your plan looks good. And such fun. With such a long narrow space I agree with the others about arches or a pergola (which need not make things shady as it can be open) - it can really make a space look like a room just having the structure in place to break up the straight long thin look. Adds a bit of mystery. It's amazing how things with a bit of height completely change the look from all being on one level.
Shane Bowler, by coincidence that design was what I was going to suggest. Might i suggest a small tree placed in the left border, and one in the far right border to restrict the view to the end of the garden? Maybe something to partially block the view of the door at the end of the garden, to add mystery?
I'd also create a full length border along the fence to increase the planting area. I border along the hedge makes clearing up hedge cuttings difficult.
Perhaps stepping stones in the lawn (low enough to mow over) leading to the first border to the left, continuing through the border (but hidden by plants) and then curving across the lawn to the for right border. This gives an alternative route to the bottom of your garden and keeps the lawn in good order during winter, preventing muddy footprint areas.
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Hi Shane,
Your garden is like mine, but almost exactly twice the length! I have only just started on mine but yours is looking good - hopefully how mine will look in a few weeks
.
I posted a thread asking for inspiration for my garden a week or so ago, so if you are out of inspiration I got a lot of good information there. http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/garden-design/help-with-my-very-narrow-long-garden/753975.html
You've done a lot so far and I think it's the right thing to do to make it look like a winding path that goes somewhere. I think it's needing something to break it up though in the middle and I'm inclined to suggest a pergola with some good planting up and over it and maybe somewhere to sit there but at very least say an arch or trellis with a gap through.
I'd also want to get some large architectural plants on those curves in the borders you've dug out. That way when it's all grown it will be something to lead the eye and break the view.
I also have an urge to get that fence covered with something of interest and I'd be inclined to go for a variety of things. So trellis with something that flowers and smells nice: clematis, honeysuckle, jasmin. And because I'm me, I'd go for several things to bring a riot of colour
I'd also be inclined to get some planters on part of the fence and then I'd want some big tall things against it... whatever you like. I also notice that the fence looks like it has brick blocks going right down to ground level. I don't know if that's your fence or your neighbours but it in my opinion, it needs to have some gaps for wildlife. (hedgehogs)
I think my Geoff Hamilton DVD set has him visit a lady who had a garden exactly like that and she broke it up in a really clever but casual way and it was absolutely stunning. She wasn't a fussy or expert gardener - just had a flair for breaking up areas and positioning things in the space to make it look a completely different type of garden.
Your plan looks good. And such fun. With such a long narrow space I agree with the others about arches or a pergola (which need not make things shady as it can be open) - it can really make a space look like a room just having the structure in place to break up the straight long thin look. Adds a bit of mystery. It's amazing how things with a bit of height completely change the look from all being on one level.
Shane Bowler, by coincidence that design was what I was going to suggest. Might i suggest a small tree placed in the left border, and one in the far right border to restrict the view to the end of the garden? Maybe something to partially block the view of the door at the end of the garden, to add mystery?
I'd also create a full length border along the fence to increase the planting area. I border along the hedge makes clearing up hedge cuttings difficult.
Perhaps stepping stones in the lawn (low enough to mow over) leading to the first border to the left, continuing through the border (but hidden by plants) and then curving across the lawn to the for right border. This gives an alternative route to the bottom of your garden and keeps the lawn in good order during winter, preventing muddy footprint areas.