skip to main content

landscape design Design Dilemma Gardens

container patio back yard

6 years ago

I have a very small back yard and I mean small (170cm 5ft7” wide x 310cm 10ft length) which is decked. Currently it has impulse purchases of plants grown in containers. I need help and ideas on how I can make this area more interesting.

Featured Answer

Sonia

6 years ago

Most of my plants are impulse buys! Lovely brick wall. Do you get much sun there? If you do, try a Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum) it has a wonderful fragrance in summer and it is evergreen. Not too vigourous either. It will need something to scramble up like a piece of trellis or wires. Will do well in a largish pot. I think plants that have a long flowering period would be good too like hardy Geraniums, Crocosmia. The grass Miscanthus zebrina does well in a pot. It’s not evergreen but the wheat coloured winter stems are lovely, just cut back in March. Do you like roses? They do well in pots but they must be deep ones to accommodate the roots. Some species grow well in shade so worth checking out the RHS website for ones that do.

STAR JASMINE

ROSE

MISCANTHUS ZEBRINA

CROCOSMIA (ORANGE) WITH BLUE HARDY GERANIUM ROZANNE

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

Halima Ashraff
Original Author
6 years ago
Hi Sonia
Thank you for your suggestions, I have a star jasmine in a pot but doesn’t look as lovely as the one in your picture. Any suggestions how I can improve its health, it also seems to attract a lot of flies.
Related Discussions
Our tiny back yard
Q
Comments (14)
I wouldn't paint the fencing white - if its a sun trap I think it will bounce the light and be so so blindingly bright! - it also shows all the dirt - we have a white picket fence and it needs repainting so often =( I would be temped to paint the fencing a green or grey colour and cover with trellis and pretty climbers. Or I've seen lovely wood fencing which silvers over time - it would be a bit softer than brilliant white. Re slabs - Look on ebay - we have had lovely slate slabs off their before. =D or reclamation yards. You could have a paved sitting area AND pebbled area with plants. Do you want any height to the plants to add privacy or a bit of shade? I think I'd be tempted to have a tree in a HUGE pot or some bamboo
...See More
Walled patio needs personality
Q
Comments (15)
I think there is enough room to treat it like a room. I would furnish it with sofas, outdoor rugs and a table and chairs. I would put plants in massive pots so they need infrequent watering. I would likely add some interest to the walls with climbers and trellis and mirror. I would also consider privacy so perhaps a parasol or sails or a pergola?
...See More
Replacing an existing raised patio with a basement room. What roof?
Q
Comments (5)
I agree with Mayfly182, although maybe a little harsh. I'd approach an Architect in the first instance and they will be able to advise on the structure of the building required as a whole, it won't just be the roof that they will concentrate on. It will entirely depend on many, many factors, not least of which, would probably be underpinning of the existing structure and of course drainage. It's not just an extension, the underpinning is what adds thousand to the project. ( as in literally doubles it ) I don't know what your budget is, however, it would be much, much cheaper to extend at current ground level to the left or right of the existing building. Have you explored that as an option?
...See More
Back yard ideas
Q
Comments (109)
Hi ED, Thanks! Yep the eye of faith is crucial with winter garden makeovers! It'll be loads more plant dominated in a year or two. There's already a pump in the pond, which works as a standalone fountain, but can be adapted to power a cascade on the wall behind. We're having all sorts of whacky ideas like building a 'marble run' style sculpture incorporating all our favourite things, (archaeology, sci fi etc) or a commissioned metal sculpture that looks like a steel version of Virginia creeper.
...See More
Sonia
6 years ago
They do like sun. If it’s in the shade then move it if possible. Do you water it regularly? Plants in pots do get a bit tired, so you could remove the top 1-2 inches of soil and replace with fresh compost and a sprinkling of granular feed. That should perk it up. I’m not sure about the flies!
kazzh
6 years ago
If you would like greenery, try thinking vertically. This would allow the floor space to remain uncluttered for you to enjoy you seating. There seem to be vertical planter options on the market these days. This would allow you to have walls of green or colour.
kazzh
6 years ago
eg
Lupton · More Info

First Floor Triple Lateral, Lennox Gardens, London · More Info

Home Orchard · More Info
Janet
6 years ago
Have you thought about a couple of metal animal feed troughs to act as narrow raised beds? These come in all sorts of sizes but are deep enough to take shrubby plants. You could plant them up with climbers and border plants. Shaped box or hebe topiaria would give some permanent evergreen structure. These could be combined with vertical planters on another side of your space too. Good luck.
Halima Ashraff
Original Author
6 years ago
Oh I like the vertical planting idea and troughs. Thank you guys.

Sponsored

More Discussions

Help with Small Garden Design Dilemma

13

Which type of Kitchen

15

Open Plan to Broken Plan

1

installing a shower cubicle at end of the bath

0

Utility door position

0