Front garden dilemma
Kristin Crouch
7 years ago
Hi everyone, I'm looking for some ideas on the front garden. I'm keen to have less maintenance as we no longer have the time to look after it. I like the idea of a Mediterranean garden ( reminds me of back home) with succulents and perennials that don't require much maintenance however the garden is sloped and one gardener said that pebbles will end up on the pavement ... Any ideas or advice are welcome. Thanks!
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katty smith
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Help! The front of my house looks like the back!
Comments (22)Would suggest widening the path, and keep it straight BUT halfway along widen it to create an area .say 8'x8' and put large pots planted with shrubs in around the sides, so the eye is diverted from the straight line, but you can still walk the shortest route. Plant an interesting small tree to either side, in the lawn, say Liquidamber, Witch Hazel, maple, Magnolia ... something with seasonal interest/foliage/flowers. Put a large attractive lamp at end of path....See MoreGarden Dilemma
Comments (9)Hi James Its fantastic to hear how just being the garden helps with your depression and anxiety, theres a lot of research coming out to back up this understanding that green spaces can have profound benefit to mental and physical health. What you've achieved in your previous garden is impressive and looks well cared for and a circle is a great harmonious shape that promotes resting and socialising, so it could be theme that you apply here as someone else has suggested as it can also help fuse the 2 spaces either side of the front of the house. With the front, i'd think whether you want to include for some off road parking in front of the bay, similar to your neighbour which will require a drop kerb application to the council and then the layout needs to draw you eye to the front door to help visitors to easily identify the correct route in and set out clearly where the front door is. The door can be further enhanced with pots either side or storm porch etc to increase its significance. The back is a blank canvas and the existing hedge may need reinforcing to provide a more secure outer boundary to the road and create more privacy, either with a fence or more planting at lower level? The existing garage would certainly be improved by timber cladding and i'd focus on a simple and comtemporary design to complement the existing overall geometry of the garage, you maybe able to add a green roof! Finally enjoy planning your new garden and live with it for a few months to see what comes up in spring and where the sun is and how you use the garden etc as i'm sure your ideas will change when you live in the space... mine did when i moved house! Good luck!...See MoreDilemma over keepingEntrance to Garden view or an extra bedroom !!
Comments (19)My two cents, for what it's worth: I like your original plan. I presume you spent time thinking about how the layout would work for you in a practical sense. So to throw that out for a trend on tv seems like madness. I don't know many people who can see their back garden from their front door, or who can unload shopping straight from front door to kitchen, and honestly it's not an issue. Far more sensible to keep the extra bedroom and utility, especially in terms of resale value. I did think, looking at the plan, that it would be nice to have swap diner and living, so table is more easily accessed from kitchen, but I can see why you would want to have the living area near to the garden. So in that case, maybe swap kitchen and living? It would instantly make the living space feel more cosy as its around the corner....See MoreFair sized front garden but no back garden
Comments (6)It’s a tricky one. Assuming it is properly private, secure for kids/dogs and from intruders and it’s a usable space for dining, entertaining with a good orientation etc I think it would be fine. However I’m not sure how it would work with deliveries etc re security/privacy though unless you can add a post box and bell on the garden wall? Most people also prefer views to the garden from the main living space and the practicality of being able to take food direct from the kitchen to the garden. Assuming above I probably wouldn’t mind it although my own garden is to the side but with doors from the kitchen and living room and a wall separating the drive and garage. Have you asked the estate agent for their opinion and is it in an area/house that would appeal to families as a back garden may be less important? I doubt the exact same house with a back garden and no front would be valued exactly the same as yours or potentially take as long to sell but presumably that’s factored into the buying price? My mum had an old cottage and the back garden was lost to the neighbour x years ago through adverse possession. It didn’t take a long time to sell but the pros far outweighed the cons....See MoreKristin Crouch
7 years agokatty smith
7 years ago
mayfly182
7 years agoKristin Crouch
7 years agoKristin Crouch
7 years agop_e_morgan
7 years ago
PROThe Japanese Garden
7 years agoYour garden has many possibilities. The most important thing to create a Mediterranean garden is to create order. Remember, always "less is more". I think you make a mix with plants appropriate to your region and the Mediterranean concept is the most successful. Succulent plants normally do not like the cold and heavy clay soil. We work a lot in the Mediterranean area and there are plants for each space. You must think about the benefits of the garden and no complications that you may bring in the future. With few elements it is easier to maintain and will always be beautiful. The photo below is of a garden we did in Malaga - Spain.
Kristin Crouch
7 years agoThank you P_e Morgan and Japanese garden for the advice. The garden is south facing and sloppy so no drainage issues.. Even my favourite Bougainville is growing really well outdoors this summer , see pic attached . Sempervivum looks good have it in the back garden and euphorbias but can't seem to find aloe Americana and not sure if it's hardy ? The olive tree and agapanthus is a defo in the front garden , perhaps a prickly pear as I've read it can be grown in the uk ( as long as my 2 year old doesn't go near it lol) A path up to the top and around up to the gate as well as we need to use it. Al
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