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Design Dilemma Exteriors Gardens

planting advice please

5 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?

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Comments (2)

Rebecca Staples
5 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
5 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,
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