skip to main content

Design Dilemma Exteriors Gardens

planting advice please

8 years ago

hi all, I'm a complete novice and would like some planting advice please. The area is south West facing and is sheltered. I was considering getting some raised beds built and rendered white along the fence. unfortunately we don't have the budget to replace the dated patio as it spans the parameter of the bungalow.
any thoughts?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

Rebecca Staples
8 years ago
You could remove some of the slabs and put planting to soften the edges and perhaps remove some within the patio area for some lower growing plants. I’d go for a good number of evergreens so it gives you some all round greenery.
mayfly182
8 years ago
I would also possibly go with removing some of the slabs (if possible, it may not be possible if they're set into concrete)

A double row of slabs nearest the fence will make a nice wide flowerbed.

I would definitely paint your side of the fence, that dark brown colour stands out rather too much as most of the rest of the area is pale. Alternatively (or as well), there are lots of climbers which would love that spot. Clematis armandii, Clematis montana or Clematis alpina don't need pruning unless they get too big and are all great. Clematis armandii and some montana are beautifully scented but might get too big unless you have more fence out of the photo.

If you mean the fence faces South West it would be a great place to grow the hardy passionflower, Passiflora caerulea. The Star Jasmine, Trachelospermum jasminoides, will need a bit of extra support but is absolutely my favourite scent.

There is a very wide choice of perennials and shrubs which could live there, you're best off going to a good nursery nearby and asking advice about what would work well.

If you do go for raised beds, either they'll need to be really quite tall or you'll need to take some slabs out anyhow, to allow the beds to drain and allow plants to take water from deeper down,
Related Discussions
Advice on colour and plants for pergola and decking
Q
Comments (2)
I would always suggest leaving wood to weather naturally. When it reaches a pale grey colour it is strong and should last for years. Remember, staining, oiling etc wooden structures means that you will need to re-apply products every couple of years. Also, if you plan to cover the pergola then why stain it at all? As far as plants are concerned you could plant evergreen clematis armandii with white flowers, or Clematis urophylla 'Winter Beauty' for white flowers during the winter, even deciduous clematis montana. Clematis grow quickly and will soon cover the pergola. You could also plant evergreen trachelospermum jasminoides for scent or jasminum officinale or wonderful wisteria floribunda alba. As for shrubs you could add cornus kousa, climbing rose 'Iceberg, or rose madame Alfred carriere, perhaps some grasses like pennisetum and calamagrostis - there are lots of white flowering plants. It all depends upon the aspect of the garden and whether or not you plan to plant in pots or in the ground, and how hands on a gardener you want to be. You need to think about framing the view, rather than blocking it entirely. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best. Try, experiment and enjoy. There may be casualties along the way, but that's how we all learn to garden.
...See More
Advice needed Goal: seamless smooth walls Advice needed please
Q
Comments (3)
I’ve just had the same issue and I opted to get all walls plastered then sanded down to give completely smooth walls. They were then painted and the finish was excellent. I paid for tradesmen to do all of this as I wouldn’t have achieved such a quality finish.
...See More
Advice needed Goal: seamless smooth walls Advice needed please
Q
Comments (1)
In my opinion it depends on budget. The best option is to take off the wood cladding and coving and then get a plasterer in. The budget option is to sugar soap these walls to ensure there is no wallpaper paste residue, then fill and sand any cracks and also use decorators calk to fill cracks in corners and next to woodwork. Then you need to mist coat the walls which is basically a watered down coat of paint. When that is dry it will need two rollered coats of emulsion (3 if it’s a strong colour). A very flat Matt paint shows imperfections least. After the first coat of paint check it for any bits that might need more filling. In conclusion the key to a nice finish on the walls is lots of preparation and then a low/ no sheen paint.
...See More
planting advice please!
Q
Comments (2)
Hi Carolina, in full sun all day, have lots of pink in other flowerbeds, maybe a blue theme?
...See More

Sponsored

More Discussions

Which type of Kitchen

15

kitchen blank canvas

3

Best way to renovate my kitchen/ utility as have very limited space.

5

What colour windows with black origin soho crittal style french doors?

4

installing a shower cubicle at end of the bath

0