How do I design my garden?

Comments (28)

Tom Flanagan
8 years ago
Great space - maybe some of our gardening/landscape professionals can get involved and offer you some starter points! What does everyone think?
Kirsty Dollery thanked Tom Flanagan
PRO
Taylor Made Gardening
8 years ago
Hi Kirsty, would you be able to provide some more images maybe from a few angles so I can give you some ideas how to best utilise this space?

Hope this helps.
Related Discussions
Spent a year designing my garden - am i on the right track?
Q
Comments (18)
@ angm47 - Nice garden! It's the opposite to yours. Mine slopes upwards towards the far end, so I've added steps on the drawing, see the two horizontal double lines. So there would be 4 changes in level in total inc the last one behind the gabion retaining wall. I'm expecting a fair amount of ground excavation regardless of final design. PS I'm really into grids and straight lines so not opting for anything circular. @campo73 - nice isn't it! Yeah it's the same, 9x5 grid of 600m@ slabs, making the shorter side 3m wide, plus I've added another slab width path to two sides, making it even wider for chairs to be pulled out. I noticed the smaller table too. Thanks for the tip on the stone choice. @rachelmidlands - thanks for your additional feedback! @JBS Ltd - I agree that a light coloured slab would look more contemporary, which is what I'm after, but I'm reluctant to if they will go green all the time :-S You read my mind on the planting, I already have some miscanthus I'm potting up ready for action. As for the perennials, I'm going to go for strong stemmed ones with winter seed interest, rudbeckia goldsturm for example. I quite like the idea of a late season garden, like Joanne Bernstein's (bloody gorgeous garden and a BIG inspiration that one - see pic link http://farm1.static.flickr.com/343/19951288828_3accea0675_b.jpg. @Jen P - Yeah I thought it'd fit too - the size is 3.0x5.4m - it's hardly small! Whilst I like angm47's garden I am opting for straight lines, grids, no curves. Plus, crucially, (if anyone's noticed) I've brought ALL the planting areas away from the yew hedge boundary consciously, from a practical point of view. I'm trying to design it with manageability in mind as well as aesthetics. Plus I quite like the idea of bringing the focus inwards rather than putting it on the borders around the edges. Plus, I'm not so bothered if the garden is long and rectangular, because its easy to change when the kids grow up :) @colourhappy - totally agree - if you see everything at once you give the game away. So I've put in screening features with line of sight from the living room in mind. Re 45 degree angles, oh god that means a complete re-design :-) I've been told to 'work with what you've got' in the past, so taking that on board, my design grew from the existing raised brick border on the right that's parallel with the boundary. I'm not sure I could/want to change it all and and keep that there at the same time. @fran11home - thanks for the tip I'll check it out!
...See More
what do I do with my garden?!
Q
Comments (10)
And how old are the kids? The summer house might be useful for them to make into a play den? Don’t know how safe the glass is though. And concerned about hard standing under swing gym set. However the garden would actually be pretty good if it was planted up around a centre lawn (mower could go in big shed) and everything tidied and power washed. Planting should be around lawn with room to walk between planting there and planting on perimeter to give a designed effect. The swing gym needs moving into shadier area whatever you do leaving you to make your evening warm sitting area. It could be a really good space and well worth some effort. :)
...See More
How can I make my garden wall more attractive and less oppressive?
Q
Comments (27)
Yes you could put mirror in front. It might be a bit disconcerting to catch sight of yourself when you look out? Clematis montana is great when is in flower but doesnt do much for the reast of the year, it can get huge and after a few years the stems will be very woody and not very attractive, so I would suggest planting it a way away from the wall so it doesnt take over. Could you post close up pics of the plants above the wall and the planting area?
...See More
Do I need groundworks or a garden designer?
Q
Comments (10)
I see what you mean, gulp! Very challenging but my first thought was the trees need to go as they are like blots on the landscape, but you’re onto it. Thing is with sycamores, they self seed all over the place so that may be why they have grown in your garden. There is a story on Houzz where people landscaped a very wild and tiered garden so I will try and find it so you can have a look. I think, as you probably suspect, it is beyond our skills and you do need a garden designer to design and complete the work. Houzz does have links to Professionals and have a Find a Professional section at the top of the page. I suggest you search this via the website rather than the App which isn’t easy to use. On the website search garden designers and it will list ones in your area, photos of past work as well as customer reviews and price guidelines. I wish you lots of luck.
...See More
Kirsty Dollery
Original Author
8 years ago

I hope this helps a little more. x
PRO
Taylor Made Gardening
8 years ago
Really interesting space! I really like the two levels. I think the main priority should be creating a way of joining these two levels whether that's with steps or a sloping ramp depends on your preference. If it was a sloping ramp I'd like to see that be installed at the far end near the rock wall so it can curve round whilst changing levels and lead into the new garden you're going to create. As for the upper level you could install some limestone paving with a tasteful thick double rope fence running along the edge and add some raised planters near the house (same colour as the wooden fence posts) and use pots to provide greenery along the awkward shape of the rock wall. Hope this gives you some idea which you can tie in with your landscaping tastes and budget.
Kirsty Dollery
Original Author
8 years ago
The wall is our boundary, the other piece of land is owned by someone else, who is going to build a nice wall. So we can't use that good idea unfortunately. The land at the back of the property is ours. Approx 1 acres, but that is rustic land, so we can't do anything with that. We did think of putting a palm tree in the corner by the rock with an uplighter, but not too sure if that is too tacky?
PRO
Bitsnbats
8 years ago
Hello Kirsty,

I think you first need to decide what overall feel you want for your garden. Do you want it neat and manicured or more natural and easy going? Do you want more green or more plant colour throughout the year? Do you like gardening or do you want it be as maintenance free as possible? Do you need any functional areas for example seating, BBQ, screening, shelter from the sun etc.

Where do you live? It looks hot so any use plants native to your area as others will need a lot of extra care and extra water.

Try investigating "hot arid gardens" for some ideas on plants, form, colours and shape. Also start investigating what your local garden centres offer. You will get an idea of then of budget too.
Kirsty Dollery thanked Bitsnbats
Kirsty Dollery
Original Author
8 years ago
I think we would like more plant colour, but don't like cactus plants, so that limits us even more. Not too sure on whether we would like natural or easy going, it just depends on several designs. It needs to be as maintenance free as possible as we haven't moved into the property just yet. The property is located in Lanzarote, so quite windy. We don't need any functional areas, it's purely garden. I'll have a look at "hot arid gardens". Our budget is quite flexible, so we can go creative or plain.
PRO
Taylor Made Gardening
8 years ago
I think the rope fence will fit even more now if the land below isn't yours.

I'd have a look at fan palms, mahonia and phormium as these plants can grow is the worst grounds.

Take a look at our tennis club project this is the plants scheme that was followed there.

Hope this helps.
Kirsty Dollery thanked Taylor Made Gardening
PRO
INsitu
8 years ago
have you gathered allot of inspiration from this post on what you'd like to place in your garden? If you give me an idea, you can use my free app, to position plants, garden products etc in your garden. Ill add the garden products to the app. here is an example with a garden room
Kirsty Dollery
Original Author
8 years ago
Wow, thank you.

I have had quite a few bits of inspiration and some from searching the web. Here goes my list:

Mimosa, Cordyline, Halimium lasiantlium, banboo, jasminum, passiflora, marigolds, blue rock bindweed, cosmea, nigella damascena and aloe vera and finally a palm tree. I hope that hasn't exhausted you, lol.

Many thanks again. Regards Kirsty
PRO
INsitu
8 years ago
Great ok plants are doable but a little more difficult. Do u need any man made things like sheds, benches, I noticed a fence?
Kirsty Dollery
Original Author
8 years ago
No. No sheds our outbuildings. possibly put a man made sleeper stair set up by the back wall but only half of the wall, so we can get to the rustic land at the top. probably use rope as a hand rail too.
Hope this helps.
PRO
INsitu
8 years ago
sleeper stairs to get up onto the tiered land in your last two photos?
Kirsty Dollery
Original Author
8 years ago
No, stairs for the top of the rock.
PRO
Bitsnbats
8 years ago
Hello again Kirsty,

I really like the plants you have chosen. The only one that rings alarm bells is the bamboo as it is very difficult to keep in check. Bamboo plants with rhizomes spread quite uncontrollably and then it can end up taking over large areas of land and can pop up in most unwanted areas. If you really want bamboo I would suggest you investigate how to keep it under control and see whether this is viable for you. This might be useful - http://www.bamboogarden.com/barrier%20installation.htm

First job is to work out where you want you stairs to go and how big they will be. I imagine from the height of the land at the rear they will take up quite a lot of space. Get them built first as you will have to work around them.

Once you have your plant wish list think about heights of plants, colour combinations and what the plants needs are. Usually the taller plants will be at the back. Buy plants in lots of 3's or 5's - then you can have a good splash of colour and if you find a plant doesn't like a certain area of your garden for any reason you can move them and have more chance of keeping some alive.

I would draw out a scaled plan of the garden from above then work out rough dimensions of plants - draw an outline of them on a separate piece of paper, cut them out and play with the layout. Don't forget that the palm will provide a lot of shade a different times of day - so you need to think about where that shade will be so that other plants are not deprived of light.

I hope this helps,

kind regards
Kirsty Dollery thanked Bitsnbats
PRO
INsitu
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
To here? Roughly what's the height of the rock? There's some great design advice in this post my app will help visualise - real team work effort. I can Put the palm tree in too
Kirsty Dollery
Original Author
8 years ago
I would say roughly 5ft, and thank you once again :-)
PRO
INsitu
8 years ago

INsitu app for "How do I design my garden?" post · More Info

Hi Kirsty ive managed to get a palm tree in, though not quite sure its in the right location. you want it here?

INsitu app for "How do I design my garden?" post · More Info

this is where the steps start too?
Kirsty Dollery
Original Author
8 years ago
We can't have the tree there unfortunately, as it's not our land. Our land starts over the wall. :-(
PRO
INsitu
8 years ago
Do you the original photos? You can have a go with the app yourself. The photos I'm using have unfortunately been compressed, and don't work as well
Kirsty Dollery
Original Author
8 years ago
What is the app please?
PRO
INsitu
8 years ago
Its

http://insitu-app.com/insitu-landscaping-web-app.html

when it opens just close the window of all the sheds and you'll see the palm tree (It looks a bit playmobile-ish at the minute, but ill improve on that later lol)

click the move icon (top middle) for instructions on how to use. Then click the camera button to upload your original photo

let me know if you get stuck, this video will help too
Kirsty Dollery thanked INsitu
Kirsty Dollery
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for this, it's great to mess around with the tree. Do you have any other plants or trees that I could mess around with?
PRO
INsitu
8 years ago
At the minute, we dont have any more plants, but as you require its on our todo list, and i'll get my developer to look at it asap. This is great feedback, we weren't aware people wanted trees until now.

we do however, have some more gardeny type items here:

http://insitu-app.com/index-tim-hd-web-app.html

moving forward, it would be great to see your results - please put them in the idea book.

cheers
PRO
INsitu
8 years ago
I have bamboo, tho do u want it in pots? Put examples in the idea book.

See if u can find other plants you like https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/?hl=en it's where's found your palm tree

Cheers
Kirsty Dollery
Original Author
8 years ago
ive had a look at at the 3d warehouse, but I don't know how to upload it to my picture to play around with? It says it's an skp file which is not supported. How did you manage to get it onto the picture?
PRO
INsitu
8 years ago
Hi Kirsty, sorry i should have explained - were a bootstrapped startup, not really "pro" but maybe one day, so there's little automation at the minute. Please could you post the links to the models you like? and ill upload them for you

cheers

United Kingdom

Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.

How do I design my garden?

My Country Garden Design Solutions

Comments (28)

Tom Flanagan

Taylor Made Gardening

Related Discussions

Kirsty Dollery
Original Author

Taylor Made Gardening

Kirsty Dollery
Original Author

Bitsnbats

Kirsty Dollery
Original Author

Taylor Made Gardening

INsitu

Kirsty Dollery
Original Author

INsitu

Kirsty Dollery
Original Author

INsitu

Kirsty Dollery
Original Author

Bitsnbats

INsitu

Kirsty Dollery
Original Author

INsitu

Kirsty Dollery
Original Author

INsitu

Kirsty Dollery
Original Author

INsitu

Kirsty Dollery
Original Author

INsitu

INsitu

Kirsty Dollery
Original Author

INsitu

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

How do I design my garden?

Comments (28)

Related Discussions

Kirsty DolleryOriginal Author

Kirsty DolleryOriginal Author

Kirsty DolleryOriginal Author

Kirsty DolleryOriginal Author

Kirsty DolleryOriginal Author

Kirsty DolleryOriginal Author

Kirsty DolleryOriginal Author

Kirsty DolleryOriginal Author

Kirsty DolleryOriginal Author

Kirsty DolleryOriginal Author

Kirsty DolleryOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Kirsty Dollery
Original Author

Kirsty Dollery
Original Author

Kirsty Dollery
Original Author

Kirsty Dollery
Original Author

Kirsty Dollery
Original Author

Kirsty Dollery
Original Author

Kirsty Dollery
Original Author

Kirsty Dollery
Original Author

Kirsty Dollery
Original Author

Kirsty Dollery
Original Author

Kirsty Dollery
Original Author