Re the grasses - 'block' beds of differing heights with grasses can make a nice alternative to big areas of 'lawn' grass too. Easier to maintain and give movement and impact. Visually perhaps too as they are a strong shape?
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Tattianna, Do you have a gardening club locally? if so it may be worth contacting them to see if they could help with plants or labour. I think a few planted pots would take away the bareness while you plan your design. Good luck
Thanks you for your advice so far. Not much has been happening but thought I would give you an update...
We've finally heard from the landlord re what we can do and we've decided to start with extending the patio area then concentrate on the area in direct view from the window in the lounge and take it from there.
I'm building up quite a collection of plants via cuttings and from friends and family gardens (I'm too shy to approach garden centres etc for plants for free ) but have picked up some real gems from the bargain basement corners at the garden centres. So at the moment I'm feeling more enthusiastic about creating a lovely low maintanence garden.
What I would like to ask is...we thought it would be an idea to plant the area up then put down weed supressing cloth and cover it with bark to keep the weeds at bay. I know shurbs and such will be ok with this but will anything that dies down cope with this? Will it be able to grow back up thought the cloth and bark?
Hi Tattiana - glad you're making progress with your project. You'd need to make holes in the membrane for perennials or bulbs as they won't be able to grow through it. Normally you put it down first,make a cross of 2 slits where you want the plant, fold it back and put the plant in. However, if the plants are already in you can fit the membrane round them. I've done it both ways. It's a bit fiddly but I find it fiddly doing it the first way anyway! It'll certainly save you time and effort with weeding. Anything seeding in from above is easier to get out and you can top it up each year - the thicker the mulch the better. Just remember to water everythng in well before covering it.The other thing you can do is add some nice pots of seasonal colour and sit them in a group on the bark especially during winter when perennials have died back. Mark where plants are with a stone or something so that you don't put anything on top of them by accident!
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Verd- at the risk of disagreeing with you and getting detention () I don't really like membrane either for the reasons you state, but Tattiana has limited time to spend looking after the plot for her daughter which is why I think it's useful for her in the circumstances.
If you shout at me I'll have to turn you into a frog again.....
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
Brilliant Dove thank you
Re the grasses - 'block' beds of differing heights with grasses can make a nice alternative to big areas of 'lawn' grass too. Easier to maintain and give movement and impact. Visually perhaps too as they are a strong shape?
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Try 3, 5 or 7 Christmas box, if, it's sheltered near the front door or near a seated area. Plant in autumn and enjoy the fragrance late winter.
Tattianna, Do you have a gardening club locally? if so it may be worth contacting them to see if they could help with plants or labour. I think a few planted pots would take away the bareness while you plan your design. Good luck
Hi All
Thanks you for your advice so far. Not much has been happening but thought I would give you an update...
We've finally heard from the landlord re what we can do and we've decided to start with extending the patio area then concentrate on the area in direct view from the window in the lounge and take it from there.
I'm building up quite a collection of plants via cuttings and from friends and family gardens (I'm too shy to approach garden centres etc for plants for free
) but have picked up some real gems from the bargain basement corners at the garden centres. So at the moment I'm feeling more enthusiastic about creating a lovely low maintanence garden.
What I would like to ask is...we thought it would be an idea to plant the area up then put down weed supressing cloth and cover it with bark to keep the weeds at bay. I know shurbs and such will be ok with this but will anything that dies down cope with this? Will it be able to grow back up thought the cloth and bark?
Thanking you all in anticipation
Hi Tattiana - glad you're making progress with your project. You'd need to make holes in the membrane for perennials or bulbs as they won't be able to grow through it. Normally you put it down first,make a cross of 2 slits where you want the plant, fold it back and put the plant in. However, if the plants are already in you can fit the membrane round them. I've done it both ways. It's a bit fiddly but I find it fiddly doing it the first way anyway! It'll certainly save you time and effort with weeding. Anything seeding in from above is easier to get out and you can top it up each year - the thicker the mulch the better. Just remember to water everythng in well before covering it.The other thing you can do is add some nice pots of seasonal colour and sit them in a group on the bark especially during winter when perennials have died back. Mark where plants are with a stone or something so that you don't put anything on top of them by accident!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
tattianna, could you post a photo taken from an upstairs window so we can see the whole garden in one shot?
Verd- at the risk of disagreeing with you and getting detention (
) I don't really like membrane either for the reasons you state, but Tattiana has limited time to spend looking after the plot for her daughter which is why I think it's useful for her in the circumstances.
If you shout at me I'll have to turn you into a frog again.....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...