Narrow bed in a small paved yard. Plants or slate chippings?
Hello. We've got a small paved back yard and need some advice for what to do about the long narrow bed beneath the fence.
The paving hasn't been very well looked after and is a bit stained, but I think we're sticking with it and getting it re-jointed. I've painted the fence and I love the colour. It's a great base to give contrast to whatever we decide to put in front.
I've had a few ideas for the bed, but I'm not sure what to do. It's 30 cm wide, but there are big lumps of concrete around the fence posts. I'm not sure how deep it goes before it reaches rubble.
One idea I had was to plant a small buxus hedge all the way along the bed, so there was a short block of green running along the fence. I've no idea if that's practical in the space we have, but I think it would look neat.
Another idea was to lay some weed control fabric and cover it with blue slate chippings. Maybe putting some small potted plants on top?
I'm thinking about a small tree in a big pot for the far corner, and maybe some sort of purple plants in pots to put in front of the bed, or in it?
So a lot of thoughts, but I really appreciate some other opinions! Thanks.
Here's the 'before' picture to show how far we've come!
Comments (10)
Mary Mary
6 years ago
tamp75
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Small garden
Comments (113)Both, one for our bedroom and one for the outside. In the bedroom, I had the chimney breast 'destroyed' to make space for a long, slim one (should've been like under the painting). Then the carpenter made a mess with the drawers unit and we fired him and left it unfinished, looked for another carpenter (long story) - however, in the meanwhile, Andrew's changed his mind and doesn't want the bio-ethanol fireplace at all. Outside, I wanted it where the star and birdie is... would've looked fab......See MoreOur tiny back yard
Comments (14)I wouldn't paint the fencing white - if its a sun trap I think it will bounce the light and be so so blindingly bright! - it also shows all the dirt - we have a white picket fence and it needs repainting so often =( I would be temped to paint the fencing a green or grey colour and cover with trellis and pretty climbers. Or I've seen lovely wood fencing which silvers over time - it would be a bit softer than brilliant white. Re slabs - Look on ebay - we have had lovely slate slabs off their before. =D or reclamation yards. You could have a paved sitting area AND pebbled area with plants. Do you want any height to the plants to add privacy or a bit of shade? I think I'd be tempted to have a tree in a HUGE pot or some bamboo...See MoreHelp me re-design my tiny garden!
Comments (13)I thought that shed looked ideal plus you can do all sorts of things with them, add a window, add a log store to the side, and paint in any colour. Cheaper alternative for paving is gravel and like you said bark chippings, I find the crunch of gravel more satisfying to walk on tho....See Moregarden design advice for my edible/wildlife friendly front yard
Comments (14)Rachel and Carolina, thank you both so much for taking some of your time to think and design those sketches, it has really helped me in a stage I was blocked in my project. I now can keep on moving forward, that's so great. Carolina, I like your designs and they are actually similar to the sketches I was doing before I imported the soil in the garden but I think at this stage, following the natural curves of the garden will be much easier for me. I really like a lot of ideas you emitted. I will indeed add a birdbath somewhere and possibly a mini pond :-D Rachel, you just put into words and sketch a vague idea that I had but that I didn't know how to formulate! you basically read my mind. yes, I noticed there was some natural lines, and I wanted something more in curves but I didn't know how. your design makes it all look possible and realistic. to answer your questions, the round things are wine bottles. I was thinking of adding more wine bottles for edging but they might be a bit too short for high enough raised beds. I'll have to think about it... yes, the silver planter is a dolly tub. I was thinking of planting a clematis in it and some colourful flowers at the base of the clematis. I thought it would look nice somewhere against the white wall... thank you both so much about your ideas. I'll send you an update when it's more advanced. (it might take a long time though, but I'll get there!)...See MoreJonathan
6 years ago
Juliet Docherty
6 years ago
rachelmidlands
6 years agoHi there, it looks great so far. I'd also be inclined to go for low maintenance grasses. I think the box hedge might look a little to formal and will be difficult to clip if it takes well to the soil. I agree with Jonathan and think you could do with a little more height. Personally I would do as you suggested and grow a tree or something tall in a large pot up the corner. Some ideas for grasses, monkey grass and ponytail grass are both evergreen and will tolerate pretty much any soil. The two combined would look great together and contrast nicely with your fence.
PROBathroom + Kitchen Eleven
6 years agoJonathan
6 years agohenrybourne
6 years ago
Sven
6 years ago
Jonathan