Dark coloured bark/mulch in the uk and garden ideas

3 years ago

Where can I buy a dark coloured bark/mulch in the uk? I'm looking for a dark coloured bark/mulch like this for my wives flower bed

here is a pic of my current back garden, the furthest patch my Mrs wants a flower bed:-

I've ordered some light coloured bricks to border both beds with, hers I'd like to cover with a dark coloured bark and mine (lower) will be a vegetable patch which I'm considering putting down some composted bark as I've heard it improves the soil.

Our decking isn't in great condition is there anyway we can maintain it and make it look nicer?

I'm also interested in any other ideas anybody might have that would improve how my garden looks visually, thanks Lewis.

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Comments (7)

Lena
3 years ago
I don’t know about dark bark. If I were you, I’d considered planting some taller plants suitable for the particular soil and intensity of sun.

Decking could be improved by painting with https://www.wood-finishes-direct.com/product/ronseal-decking-rescue-paint.

Our decking was in a sorry state when we bought our house 6 years ago. After experimenting with a few types of treatments, I chose Ronseal product above. It still works for my decking to the extent that I hope to get two more years out of it before finally replacing it.

Good luck with your project!
Lewis Wakefield thanked Lena
Sonia
3 years ago
Wow your soil looks wonderful! I wonder if the bark in the other picture is dark because it is wet? I’ve never seen specific types of bark for sale but with such lovely soil do you even need it?
My deck has nearly had it, 8 yrs old and starting to rot in the corners so we will be replacing it with paving once lockdown is over. I did paint my deck last year but most of the paint has disappeared and I complained to Screwfix. Hopefully the product Lena used is better, but I have heard deck oil is good.
Lewis Wakefield thanked Sonia
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This space has potential and you can work with what you have. Perhaps you could start by power-washing the decking and refreshing the colour, along with the log rolls. Try using Garden Shades. It’s a bit more pricey but gives good coverage and lasts. It also has a good range of colours. As previously suggested use artificial turf (middle tier where the yellow tractor is on pic). Keep the Box shrubs but reshape. You have what looks like a sculpture/water feature that is hidden - bring that out and make a feature of it on the decking. You could always get your joiner to cut out part of the decking and make a trap door then sink a sand pit below. Trellis part of your fencing and grow climbers - protect the young plants by burying plastic coated metal mesh in the soil and above the soil by a couple of feet (make sure any sharp edges are made safe for the kids). Buy large pots rather than small, plant them up and place on decking. We are surrounded by fields and wild rabbits invade our garden. They will eat anything if hungry but there are plants they will tend to avoid. Luckily they are mainly of the same pink/purple pallet. Try planting any of the following: Hellebore, Lambs Ear, Peony, Salvia, Baptista, Cat Mint, Foxgloves, Astilbe, Veronica, Iris, Lavender, Allium, Daffodils, Bee Balm, Daylily, Anise Hyssop - above all, keep that bunny well fed with what you want it to eat! Good luck.
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If I was going to do just one thing I would replace the stepping stones with a decent sized path. I favour long narrow slabs embedded in gravel with an edging to contain the gravel. Or just butted and staggered slabs if you don’t mind the additional maintenance with a staggered edge against grass. Plants do a better job than fences in making boundaries disappear. Climbers won’t take up so much room. Evergreen climbers on the garden building will give all year round interest and soften the brick surface. It isn’t well known but the evergreen Euonymus fortunei will climb, if given a little help, if planted up against a wall. Slow to get going but will thrive in sun and shade and is as tough as old boots. Silver queen has green leaves edged with white which brightens a shady corner. You can grow other plants through it and in front of it. I think a pergola is preferable to an awning. The honeysuckle Lonicera hehryi is evergreen and will grow in sun and shade but I don’t believe it is scented. There are scented honeysuckles and roses that will be pleasant to sit under. A green roof controls the temperature in a building. Great to look at from upper windows but it can be pricy. Sedum is commonly used. You say you don’t want a patio at the rear of the house but I would at least consider a path along the wall outside the doors. Set it away from the house to make room for plants. Would you consider moving the shed to the rear fence? Whilst allowing for access you could plant a hedge in front and in front of that the reflective water feature already mentioned or just a reflective surface as a feature. It will throw light back into the garden and will give depth. An arbour with a bench might be nice here to enjoy the water.
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Lena
3 years ago
Sonia, I tried deck oil on my decking. It looked marginally better, but not for long.

After that I discovered Ronseal’s decking treatment, and it worked wonders on my tired decking.

I even managed to repaint it a few weeks ago with leftovers I had. It worked!

However, it was necessary to prepare the decking. My kids washed it with water pressure, and husband scrabbled the old paint off.
Lewis Wakefield thanked Lena
Lena
3 years ago
It’s a very old decking, but it looks so much better now!
Lewis Wakefield thanked Lena
Sonia
3 years ago
Looks great Lena. I used Screwfix brand and it did look amazing at first but now most of the paint had disappeared. i got a refund and compensation but still left with an ugly deck!

Newly painted

Now 1 year later
Lena
3 years ago
This is strange. My decking kept the paint for about two years. And I repainted it with the same old paint...
nmlondon
3 years ago
The bark is definitely wet/just laid. We've just finished laying bark in both our front and back gardens, and whilst it does look dark now (cocoa nibs dark), and looks very dark when watered, it will get bleached by the sun. photos are mixture of dry and wet freshly-laid bark

Dark coloured bark/mulch in the uk and garden ideas

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