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Design Dilemma Gardens

garden ideas, sloped, tiered

5 years ago

We’ve just completed a house renovation and we have this mess of a garden left.. the garden continues another 60 meters after the small fence and were tight on budget so the additional drive way and hard standing area which covers 5 x 6 meters is having to stay... id considered turning the hard area into a tiled base and modern pergola.. but that’s as far as we have got.. any ideas please.. we’ve run out of ideas..

Comments (3)

lkirk44
5 years ago
Hi l would remove that small brick wall to the left of your patio and extend patio to the left and extend it forward over to incorporate man hole, will make space feel better.
Add steps to higher area and level out and grass. Can you remove those trees to the right to open up the garden, good luck
PRO
Neil Jones Design
5 years ago
Hi

Wow it sounds like a long plot but difficult to understand whats what from the photos as you have remains of block walls to the side and various structures that i can't make out but clearly got lots of potential. Just a couple of thoughts to leave you with as it really needs a proper assessment to understand all the issues including aspect and levels; but worth screening the driveway from the patio area for obvious reasons; treat a long space as a series of interconnected 'rooms' to help divide the space up and avoid the corridor effect; use the slope to your advantage with low feature walls that could double up as seats and/incorporate water features, use generous steps and focal points to draw you through the space creating intrigue and mystery. Above all have fun and good luck!
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I begun to write this suggestion out when I released i had a drawing for a similar garden. So tweak it to suit Hide new steps behind new raised bed of rose carpet (or lavender) which are very easy to maintain which can also be used as seating Water feature with the spout can be hidden in the hedge, Use a galvanised mesh (heavy) an inch or so below water, you don't want children falling in. Skim walls to match in with new beds, the brick is a bit dull. Second level plant hydrangea From top of steps enter landing area to raised lawn, use angle iron for perfect straight lines. Low hedges: Use Rosemary rather than Buxus as it can have an unpleasant odour if planted on mass especially near patio areas. I would replace the fence with something sturdier and would allow for trellis which will give privacy but not annoy the neighbors by blocking too much light You could also use the trellis at low hedging to stop children falling off or use http://www.tecni-cable.co.uk/ systems for a safe but see through fence, it wont stop the determined child to climb over but will definitely prevent accidents Rather than having a 'veg patch' you could make sure that everything has to earn its keep. So plant fruit trees, berry bushes, vegetables, herbs and so on. If you need any help contact me. Regards Cian
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I really would avoid Leylandii. Yes they are fast growing, but they are too vigorous for the average garden and will require pruning twice a year. They also rob the soil of all moisture and nutrients and it is therefore very difficult to grow anything beneath them. If you want evergreen I would go for cherry laurel, or maybe yew. Alternatively, Ligustrum or Photinia grown as standards would free up the soil beneath for under planting. Another lovely idea would be a small group of Betula utilis var jacquemontii (Hinalayan Birch) strategically placed for privacy without completely blocking the view.
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Emily O'Byrne
5 years ago
What ever you do make sure you have access to the manhole, I’ve seen cases where the manhole was paved over and then there was problems with the drains.

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