Garden design - Long, thin plot.
I'm getting to the final stages of a house renovation and am starting to think about the garden and patio etc. The problem I have is it is a long thin garden, a complete blank canvas, and I have no ideas at all about what would work best.
The driveway and patio are going to be done soon and we're going for grey block paving and gravel to give it some shape, then large slabs in a french opus pattern to try and match in with a limestone floor in a large kitchen/diner extension which looks out over the rear garden through large bifold doors.
The patio will be around 50sqm (538sqft) and finish at the end of the garage shown in the arial pic (although the house has changed considerably). The garden is about 50m (160ft) long and 8m wide (26ft).
There is an apple tree which we want to keep halfway down the garden and I'd like to have a golf practice net down the end. At presnt there are low hedges around the perimeter and it would be nice to have a certain amount of privacy even if only surrounding the patio.
Would it be best to section the garden, have raised beds, borders, shrubs??? I really have no idea! Low maintenance would be best, as would child friendly with room to run about and play on a quad bike etc.
Any help and inspiration would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks,
Paul
Comments (8)
14 years ago- 14 years ago
Related Discussions
Impatient attempt at garden Design
Comments (37)Thanks very much Pete_bon! Very important indeed that i take the aspect and soil type in to account and can only imagine there's a lot more to this process than drawing some pretty pictures. I embarked upon this i guess as a doodling exercise whilst awaiting the garden designer of my 'inspiration garden' to get in touch. I thought such an expert would be best placed to advice on the hardscaping but especially on the planting (after doing a site visit to my south-west facing garden on the westerly outskirts of London). However given that i'm still waiting (as i said already i'm impatient) and that i'm quite taken with the design JonathanB suggested, i reckon as far as hardscaping goes i'm actually seriously considering that layout. However given that i don't have a clue about plants or what goes where the suggestions on here are invaluable so I imagine i'll use this in conjunction with a gardener who can advise and come up with a planting plan for my actual garden. I'd never heard of the Beth Chatto Gardens before so just been having a look at their wonderful website, the gravel gardens you mention are particularly great and really does prove that with careful consideration there are lots of beautiful plants for each and every location. I'll take on-board your advice on height and on climbers in particular and am sure as long as things are 'strategically' placed i'll love their unruliness !...See MoreDesign a large garden on a budget of hundreds not thousands!
Comments (44)It's worth looking for a shed on Freecycle or in Friday Adds, there are good things going for cheap or for free because people want them removed. You produce growing area needs to look good, I think, because you are going to need to place it where it will be visible, to get enough light. It also looks like you will need to protect it well from Rabbits. They may have something to do with the uneven lawn. The most useful thing I could tell you, as you want an orchard, is to leave a large weed free area around each tree you plant. When I say weed free that includes grass!!! If you put at least 5 centimetres of good green waste compost over that and stake the tree really well, it will be well established in a few years. The best Apple tree I ever planted had a stem but no head at all and it overtook all the others in the second year. Trees need TLC rather than VISA or Mastercard....See MoreGarden design - How can I make this layout more interesting?
Comments (11)Thanks. I've gone off the idea of the long winding path. I think it would take too much space. This is my latest thoughts. Two round lawns that intersect, edged by little pavers, and with a path through the middle (which I'd probably add later). Any thoughts? How can I improve this? Thanks for any opinion. It really helps....See MoreWhich Garden Design?
Comments (4)RED Interior Design will there be tallish plants or shrubs that will give the table area some separation / privacy from the main house? If so, I'd go with option A, if not then the straight line for me please ;)...See More- 14 years ago
13 years ago
PRO13 years ago
PRO10 years agoA long narrow garden is perfect to have a relaxing retreat at the bottom.
Our patio louvre roof creates an outdoor living space in your garden perfect for relaxing in away from your home. The louvre roof is automated turning the louvres flat to create a fully watertight roof. It is perfect for all year use and great for keeping protecting your garden furniture ready for the summer.
This free standing Umbris patio roof below, creates an undercover retreat in their garden.
The vertical louvre panels also provide an element of privacy and weather protection from wind also helping to keep the new living space drier in heavy rainfalls, whilst still maintaining transparency to keep the outdoor living experience.
Additional elements can be added such as, heating, lighting, audio system all built into the roof profile.
We have just had an Umbris installed at our showroom in Amersham at Sky House Design Centre, you can arrange a showroom visit by contacting us on 01494 722 882.
9 years ago
cyn222