the layout and planting ideas are great, thank you. the garden is south facing, so the evening sun is on the triangular area nearest the front door. I put bamboo screening up but there's a footpath the other side of the metal fence, and it got vandalised so often that I gave up. ditto the few fence panels we had put up against the metal fence to give us some privacy. it's council and of course they refuse to erect a decent fence, or facilitate some sort of system where we pay them back in instalments. I dont expect handouts, I'd have a 6' high fence put up tomorrow if I could afford it. hiring a skip is also out of my budget, so I've gradually been taking stuff to the tip or burning it. I have kids and pets including chickens, and although I'd like to think I'll grow some veg in the raised beds, I know I'll never get round to it! the sheds: one small one is a potting shed, the other small one in the corner chicken run is storage, and the big one is supposed to be a workshop but is currently crammed with stuff that needs sorting and storing or chucking, including all my tools, garden tools, kids toys, camping stuff, etc etc. I'm sure you get the picture! there are 2 greenhouses and umpteen raised beds, stacks of bricks, wood, bits of shed panelling, old Windows etc, because my husband had lots of plabd for the garden and did loads of growing veg etc, but never got round to finishing anything. in his defence this is Wales, it rains all the bloody time, and of course there are never enough hours in the day. however, we have recently separated, so I now find myself staring in horror at the whole overwhelming project, scratching my head, wondering where the hell to start, and then closing my eyes and pretending it's not there.

Hi Ellie, ok I will edit it more as it should read we want all the shrubs and trees removed which is a tall feat when your not qualified I would guess. Also with the council not available to remove garden waste, we already have a lot piling up with the compost awaiting the date for when we can remove it. Our garden already has fence all the way around, however it needs updating as it has broken it a lot of places.

Ooo... that's an odd shape indeed. Think it'll be a good idea to also have a patio at the back part, so you have something that invites you to go there. Could be small, with a couple of chairs maybe. Just to make it interesting. I'm thinking that it could be nice to build a pergola at the corner of the garage, stretching to the fence. It'll give height to the garden and gives your eyes a place to stop, so you don't directly look at the back of the garden. It'll make it look larger. And then a path that'll take you to the back patio, with nice wide planting borders to soften it all. Something like this (sorry, very basic mock up)

Unusual layout but interesting. A tree or tall shrubs on the right would certainly add privacy. I would suggest some tall shrubs rather than trees simply because it’s a small area and tree roots may impact your neighbours property. I planted a wee little Silver Birch tree many moons ago which grew to 50ft or more and whose roots spread to my neighbours footpath and garage causing damage. We had to have it removed which was a very sad day. As the area is shady, good shrubs to grow are Fatsia japonica, Viburnum tinus and Photinia Red Robin. All fast growers, evergreen and can be trained into a tree shape by removing lower branches if you wish. Hydrangeas, Acers, Rhododendrons and Cornus also love shade. Gravel gardens can look lovely with soft planting, so things like lavender and Geraniums for the sunny areas or Ferns, Heuchera and Hostas for shade. If you do remove the lawn and use gravel, place edging to hold the gravel in place, something like wooden gravel boards as it does give a neater finish. Here’s a beautiful small garden which I think is gorgeous.