Impatient attempt at garden Design

9 years ago

So whilst trying to avoid deciding what to do with my kitchen I've been spending too much time thinking of how to do my garden. Currently it's used by my little dog for doing her business and for drying clothes on the line now and again but I dream of it being a nice contemporary space I'll use for relaxing and occasionally entertaining.
I've fallen in love with a garden design (as in my 'Inspiration Garden' ideabook) and am waiting to hear back from the designer to see if they'd consider my job as I'm out of their area.
But being too impatient to wait I've started to plan out what I think might work - I've added pictures of the current state looking to & from house, and my attempt of a plan.

Basically I want very contemporary but simple low maintenance garden with 2 'sitting' areas to follow the sun (morning sun in rear corner by the garage wall) late afternoon sun the upper left hand side). I'd love a fire feature but not set on whether it needs to be built in or part of a table/firepit and would also a spot to put some type of metal sculpture at some stage.

Any feedback? Any hints of what my 'design' is lacking?

Featured Answer

Jonathan

9 years ago

Thanks for running with my idea.
The only extra thing I would do is add taller planting. Try putting in a couple of trees in the deeper borders and see what you think.
I like silver birch

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Comments (37)

xtine74
Original Author
9 years ago
And here's a plan of the space with dimensions
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Jonathan
9 years ago
Try the same ideas but move towards a diagonal angle. I think you will find it adds length to the garden
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Jonathan
9 years ago
Just an idea
turquoisetree53
9 years ago
suggest you start planning now for plants to cover the fence. That will make the garden verdant and come alive.
xtine74
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Oohhhh thank you Jonathan! I like the look of that, a lot!!! I tried one version working on the diagonal but was too caught up on matching the lines of the fence and it looked way off?
I like that what you've drawn up looks like it would help 'zone' the space a lot more, plus it gives 3 potential seating areas without loosing any grass!
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xtine74
Original Author
9 years ago
That's definitely a great suggestion for me to think about the planting now as well as the hardscaping Turquoisetree (nice name!). It's unlikely I'll have the fencing covered in plants - I tend to have a strong preference for order & symmetry and find climbers too unruly for my taste - lovely in other gardens but not my own.
I really like the planting in the attached pics and will likely try to have something similar - maybe against a charcoal coloured fence to ensure the plant colouring pops !
User
9 years ago
I think Jonathan's design is fab. As far as low maintenance plants are concerned, go for large evergreen shrubs and conifers and intersperse with floral perennials and you can't go wrong.
Jonathan
9 years ago
I also like Photinia Red Robin, Cotinus, Laurel and berberis for year round greenery. I like cordyline and Phormium for architectural planting.
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pannacotta
9 years ago
If you aren't keen on climbers then have a look at wall shrubs which can be planted infront of the fencing but are less messy/natural looking.

Portuguese laurel, Bay, Viburnum tinus, Pittosporum are all good evergreen options which look good year round.

Painting the fences black makes greenery really stand out. I would suggest you paint the concrete posts too with woodstain so they stand out less.

I would suggest planting a few small trees at the end of the plot and try to borrow the large trees outside your plot, which will make the garden seem larger and more interesting/established.

I like the diagonal idea to create a feeling of shape and movement.
xtine74
Original Author
9 years ago
Loving all the plant suggestions as generally I don't have a clue! Lots of googling going on to check all the ones mentioned - great for keeping me out of trouble :D
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User
9 years ago
Pieris japonica is a beauty too.
mongkmonk
9 years ago
What software do u use for your design?
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xtine74
Original Author
9 years ago
Hi mongkmonk, I struggled finding software but been playing with Marshalls visualiser, doesn't have everything I'd want but good to get basic 3d ideas mocked up
Jonathan
9 years ago
Peris Japonica and Viburnum are supposed to be poisonous to dogs- steer clear.
xtine74
Original Author
9 years ago
Well spotted Jonathan, will strike them of my list!
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minnie101
9 years ago
I like Jonathans design. I think what was slightly lacking about your plan was height and texture if you look at your inspiration pic. Maybe a raised or sunken patio to add interest? You seem to have suggestions for planting now to gain different heights. I personally like the fences to add texture (although would paint the concrete posts) but would change the bench arrangement to charcoal render which would look great against the brick wall. You could also have differing stone for the patio areas? Maybe a fire like this?
minnie101
9 years ago
Pic
User
9 years ago
Not sure if you have animals but here's the low down on that-
Pieris Japonica, azaleas, and rhododendrons have the same type of toxin. They will poison sheep and goats that browse on them to the extent that they eat 0.2% of their body weight or more. They would be bad for dogs, too, but do you think your dog will knaw and swallow that much green leaf? Irises can be irritating if chewed, but really make a person or dog sick to the stomach if they eat the bulb.
Monica
9 years ago
Love the plan Jonathan drew up for you and is that the back of a cockapoo/doodle I see ???? looks awfully familiar LOL
pannacotta
9 years ago
I don't think VIburnum tinus is poisonous to dogs. Had a look on google and couldn't see any details of it being toxic to animals. It is a very widely used landscape shrub which I don't think would be the case if it were toxic.

There are lists online re toxicity relating to dogs and this is also a question for your garden designer really.
xtine74
Original Author
9 years ago
Such great feedback and advice, thanks all!

I agree a bit of height difference always adds interest and it seems the obvious choice to raise the back corner patio. Also loving the thought of charcoal render beside the brick area!

Minnie101 I LOVE that fire!!!!!

Fizzfan54 yes a little dog. She does tend to have a bit of a munch on grass/plants so will definitely have to check how toxic things are as I short list them or as Pannacotta suggests have my garden designer ensure they're all safe choices. Though the you mention I reckon would be way more than she'd ever eat!

Monica that's a pretty close guess, she's a 'Shihpoo' :D
xtine74
Original Author
9 years ago
So i've taken JonathanB's fab diagonal drawing and attempted a 3d mock up. What do we think ? NB: The angles & colours aren't exact but are the best i could do for now :)
User
9 years ago
Purely personal but I like rounded lines in a garden, so I'd curve the end part of the beds out far more into the patio area. That way you'd have more visual interest from both the seating area and the house.
pannacotta
9 years ago
A multi stem birch would look fantastic with your modern design, very sculptural and they look stunning in winter with the white bark, the summer foliage is pretty and they have good autumn colour.
Look here for details/options

http://www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/search/birch
xtine74
Original Author
9 years ago
I think i might need to look for an online tool with more options ... updated pic with as tall as i could go additional planting.

I've had a look at those multi stem birches Pannacotta - and think the Snow Queen is particularly stunning, especially against a dark/charcoal fence!

There's something about planning to plant trees is kind of scaring me - it feels like a huge commitment - is it any wonder i'm still single lol !
User
9 years ago
Feel a bit of a bah humbug for saying this, but beautiful as trees are (I have 5 that run along one side of my garden, and I do love them) just thought I'd mention their water consumption. They will drain the surrounding soil quite extensively so if you don't like watering your garden, it might be worth taking this into consideration. Also, you have to clear up the leaves in the autumn. Other than that they're fab!
xtine74 thanked User
xtine74
Original Author
9 years ago
Don't feel bah humbug about that at all ... i'm coming from zero gardening knowledge so would rather someone told me the good and the bad before i make what feel like huge decisions :)
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pannacotta
9 years ago
Trees don't mix well with herbaceous plants but it looks like you want the garden to be very simply planted with mainly shrubs so a tree or two shouldn't prove a problem.

FWIW I planted over 15 trees in my garden and never water...
xtine74 thanked pannacotta
pete_bon_9838
9 years ago
What? No mention of where North is? That's crucial to any garden design as some plants like full sun, Others can cope happily with some shade and others will be needed for full shade. Secondly what about the soil type is it acid or alkaline? Its far more scientific than just drawing a few nice shapes on a plan.

Thirdly what plants grow into neat, sharp edged triangles? All the ones I know grow in round blobs. Unless you spend ages trimming and pruning and then that's just shrubs for topiary style work. Designing a small garden on the diagonal is a good idea but it does throw up difficult angles to plant and which need careful consideration.

Fourthly don't forget height. If you haven't got a large garden then upwards is the way to go. That way is its infinity. How about views and trees beyond the garden? Borrow a landscape to expand your own space. Growing climbers up the fence adds height and has the effect of making a garden look wider. Yes trees dry the soil out but then it depends on your local climate. Where in Uk are you? If its west where its wetter then they shouldn't cause a problem. If its dry check out plants for dry gardens and take a look at Beth Chatto's garden in Colchester which has never been watered and is in an old gravel car park.
xtine74 thanked pete_bon_9838
xtine74
Original Author
9 years ago
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 !
amanda stewart
9 years ago
A perfect tree for s small garden is Amelanchier canadensis. Blossom, berries ( birds love them) and autumn leaf colour. Multistem specimens are visually light and airy - any soil / outlook. A must have!
xtine74 thanked amanda stewart
dearbhal
9 years ago
If the morning sitting area is reached across the grass, it may be less appealing on a sunny morning when there is dew on the grass, or the grass is long or wet. Some paving or gravel to connect might be good
xtine74 thanked dearbhal
bombel1972
9 years ago
dearbhal. i was thinking the same thing about the dew on grass, crossing from one area to the other. not a big thing for some, but maybe for others.
xtine74 thanked bombel1972
xtine74
Original Author
9 years ago
Still, more input, this is great!

The Amelanchier canadensis tree is beautiful Amanda! And sounds like a fab all rounder .. now just to get over my committing to tree planting phobia lol

I did wonder if i'd need a path to get to the back paved area, but generally the dew is long gone before i'd even think to go outside to sit and would never go barefoot so really don't think a little bit of trampling across wet grass would be an issue for me but glad you mentioned it Dearbhal and Bombel as it got me to think through whether it'd be an issue for me or not.

Now, talk about running before i can walk, but there was a mention of Espaliered Trees on another thread (the fab cat in the window one) and it got me looking them up out of curiousity ... and wow how stunning do they look !!!! Am guessing they'd be getting into expert gardener territory though :/
bombel1972
9 years ago
^^^ if i had money and someone did that for me, i'd love it. it looks so easy when i see someone on tv do it... but... c'mon. i'd probably break the branches. but it would be great. especially if they were fruit trees. XTINE.... i am in the same pickle as you. my husband thinks i procrastinate choosing shrubs, flowers etc.... but that's because, like you said... a commitment. to spend money, then to only rip things out cos they die from the soil/wrong location/70ft growth... etc. i have been studying the last 2 yrs WHAT to put in my front and back garden. i'm almost there. haha. there are plants that i want, but don't think i can have and there are plants i can have, but don't really want. haha and then i slap and tell myself, "for god's sakes woman, there's more important things in life to worry about" haha GOOD LUCK!!!!! go with your feeling, and try not feel pressured to get things done so fast.
xtine74 thanked bombel1972
xtine74
Original Author
9 years ago
So having had outdoor porcelain tiles in mind all along I went to a posh showroom yesterday to have a look and get rough quotes etc.
It was such a worthwhile visit! The porcelain tile options were fab, really classy, but I was very surprised to have much preferred the look of some composite decking products they offered!
I'd previously discounted composite based on a few 2inch sized samples, but seeing these in proper patio settings made me do a complete 360!

Anyhow it's all still very much at the planning stage but I want to keep this thread updated with any progress, developments and interesting findings along the way :)