Small City Patio Area - Ideas?
Kara L
5 years ago
Just moved to a house with a small patio area at the back - I love the idea of an “Urban Jungle” but it has to be a) dog friendly b) easy to make rain friendly as we live in sunny Manchester (!) & c) easy to maintain for those without greenfingers! We’ve hung some trelisses and got some planters... the table & chairs set was inherited from previous owners... Now I’m stuck!! Any help would be much appreciated!
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Sonia
5 years ago
I adore courtyard gardens. It’s looking ready for some planting! Now you could install planters or use pots. Plants tend to be happier in large planters and that will be less maintenance, but you could use pots, the bigger the better. Keep them well watered during hot Manchester weather! Small pots tend to dry out quickly so buy the biggest you can afford. There are some plants that give that jungle effect but are fully hardy in the UK. Here’s some suggestions.Fatsia Japonica - big bold and evergreen
Japanese Maples (Acers)
Mahonia - evergreen
Then there are bamboos and ferns. Also lilies and Hemericallis that add some colour. Crocosmia is also a lovely red or orange flowered plant with strappy leaves that adds colour to an urban jungle. I could go on and on! Don’t forget to search for jungle themed gardens on house for more ideas.
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Comments (9)Oh, I was just about to say that I love that idea but then I remembered an issue: there is the radiator where the TV would be and no plug sockets. I don't think it's an ideal place to put sockets either because of the radiator there and the fact there's a bathroom on the other side of the wall (so I'm guessing lots of water pipes). I am a big fan of the whole room being brought into the layout though - my own ideas seem to break it into 2, which I think under-appreciates a lot of the space. I've attached another design that I had but couldn't add to the original post, just for the sake of throwing more ideas out there, and to clarify the location of other rooms etc....See MoreGarden ideas/ patio design
Comments (10)i think the most important thing is to work out first of all how you would like to use the garden space, whether its to relax in, socialize in, kids/grandkids to play in, to enjoy from the house and or different focal points within the garden, is there an area that gets say evening sun and that's the time you both get home and want to enjoy a meal/drink in the evening sun? do you need storage areas? outside cooking area? how much time do you have to spend upkeeping it? (and be honest! too many people aren't believe me lol), how much money you have to spend, both on landscaping and maintenance, once you really know what you want from it, have a search though houzz at the different styles of gardens and start getting an idea of what you like and come up with a board with clippets of different styles, doesn't matter if it takes time, best to get the basic's right before spending any money before planting, its worth getting the soil tested for its type, ph and nutrient level, this will also help work out what plants you will be able to grow sorry I haven't helped with styles or direct ideas, I feel its your own space and to get the best from it you need to understand more what you require from it and what you can give to get out of it most of all good luck and enjoy turning the lovely space into a garden that you can enjoy...See MoreSmall garden - where should patio go?
Comments (10)Do you want grass or would multiple patios and plant borders be an option for you? Oh, just realised the garden is 18 metres wide. You'd have enough space for two patios and grass. So a smaller patio for a morning coffee in the sun to the right and a larger one with full sun in the centre of the garden? 18 metres isn't small. Photos would really help. Good to see where doors and windows are for example....See MoreSmall garden and patio help
Comments (8)I wouldn’t go fence to fence with your artificial grass as it will make your garden look like a prison yard (sorry!). Keep the borders, however if you want raised beds then you cannot leave your current plants where they are as you cannot just add soil around them - they will suffer. I like your patio, so you could jazz it up with cushions, seat pads and lighting maybe? An outdoor rug would look nice too. I bought mine from Houzz but many online companies sell them now. Amazon do a huge range of seat pads and outdoor cushions. I can’t see your seating very well but if it’s comfortable then it would be a shame to change it, but of course that is up to you. I’m a big fan of solar lighting. They’re not as bright as mains lighting, but they do make the garden look so pretty at night without any effort. I’ve bought expensive and cheap solar lights and it was the pricey M&S one that stopped working! My other solar lights from Home Bargains and B&M are going strong. B&M have an excellent garden section....See More
Alison B
5 years agoHow about a collection of pots in corner?
That’s what I did with an awkward corner of my back yard and it adds a bit of colour too.
These were put here just over a year ago and look how they’ve grown!
Alison B
5 years agoThis is another view of my back yard. There is loads of options for you
Back yards/courtyards can look fab!
Kazza None
5 years agocarocat24
5 years agoT Gray
5 years ago
Chris Goodchild
5 years ago
Patrina