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Design Dilemma Gardens

Mental block - has anyone got any inspiring garden ideas for this:

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

Dear hive,

Am looking to revamp my parents' garden. In an ideal world we would include:

greenhouse
vegetable bed(s)
herb patch
fragrant flowers/bushes (possibly next to a small dining area)
trees - would love suggestions for fruit trees or other that would do well in Croydon soil (clay, I think)>

Photos and plan of current garden attached.

Feel like we're going round in circles and would love a fresh perspective from all the creative homeowners on here.

Having a house extension, and the current patio area will all be part of the new build. Dark brown shed will be demolished.

Will lose the side access, so would like to get big things in like trees before this goes.

All ideas - in and out of the box - most welcome!! Thanks in advance.

Featured Answer

Angie

2 years ago

We went with a circular lawn and curving path, plus trellis to separate different areas of the garden. As mentioned, deeper borders are the way to go. I was keen for slender, simple to maintain borders but was persuaded that deeper would be better and am so glad we did that. We have a silver birch and a flowering cherry tree, both were a good size when bought, both were definitely worth having. The silver birch is now about twice the height it was when planted but we love it, it’s just what we wanted. Trees certainly can make a garden, just make sure it’s growing habit will work in your situation. So our silver birch is columnar in habit, it wouldn’t work in our garden if it was a spreading habit. Pictures follow which show the garden when first done and then more recently. Just some ideas which may help your thinking. Angie

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Comments (9)

PRO
The Rooted Concept Garden Designs
2 years ago
Hi there!

This looks like a nice solid space to star working with!
You have already made the first step and thought about what you want to have in the garden.
To move to the next step and find a place for each of these things, you have to take into consideration not only aesthetics and practicalities (i.e. ease of access etc), but also the garden aspect and possible microclimates that you have there (so basicaly where is sunny, where is dry, where is a constat windy spot etc).
In terms of aesthetics, the current design is the classic lawn in the middle with eveything else pushed to the sides. This layout is a bit blend and does not favour the shape of the garden. I would go for something a bit more adventurous and wider plant beds so you can really have a good visual impact in the new design.
I offer a range of online garden design services, which are all very good value for money (from budget friendly sktches to full on garden plans with planting plans) and would love to help you with this project! Please have a look at my website
www.therootedconceptgardendesign.co.uk and get jn touch if you are interested!

Deborah
The Rooted Concept Garden Design
Su Esse thanked The Rooted Concept Garden Designs
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tamp75
2 years ago
Will there be doors to the back of the extension or to the side?
Su Esse
Original Author
2 years ago
@Angie thank you.

Funnily enough, we were also thinking silver birch and cherry. Also do like a Japanese acer. Would you mind me asking where you sourced your trees and how old they were at the time of planting? You could PM me if you want.

How did you get your lawn so perfectly round? Did you do it yourself or hire someone? And what are the other trees (especially the ones with the autumnal colours)?

Many congrats, it looks absoutely lovely and you've nice access all around, with the shed hidden by tree cover. Enjoy!
Su Esse
Original Author
2 years ago
@tamp75 at the back - French doors in a bay, and a back door. No doors on the L shaped bit but will have windows.
Su Esse
Original Author
2 years ago
Definitely agree about wider beds, as we have all these things we want to plant, but nowhere to put them! In terms of maintenance though, how do you access the wider beds? @The Rooted Concept Garden Designs
nancyorford
2 years ago
Circular lawn is quite simple. Start with any area of lawn as long as it covers the proposed area. Find the centre of required new lawn & put in a bamboo cane with string attached the length of wanted radius. Walk the circle marking with spare emulsion & brush or an aerosol. Cut away grass outside the marked circle.
Su Esse thanked nancyorford
Angie
2 years ago
@SuEsse, I’ll pm some other details, but the autumnal trees are (on the left) Cercis Canadesis, or Forest Pansy, which has lovely burgundy leaves until they turn colour in autumn, and on the right is a smoke bush, again with burgundy leaves. The flowering cherry is Prunus Fragrant Cloud and the white flowers slowly turn a delicate pink. The silver birch is Betula Snow Queen. Angie
Su Esse thanked Angie
Angie
2 years ago
Su, I was going to PM you with some more info but I can’t find how/where to start a message! Maybe it’s this iPad app but no luck. If you message me I’ll reply, Angie

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