L - Shaped Garden with Large Pine Trees... what to do?

When downsizing, most elderly couples opt for a small garden... but not this couple! Octogenarians, they were not after a low maintenance garden, they were after an interesting garden, which would offer plenty of colour and variety of plants. Gardening is something they enjoy, and want to have something to do, to keep them active. The garden which came with their bungalow however, was very uninspiring, and other then several tall pine trees, there was nothing but grass and dead grass. (Before photos at end). 

Years of pine needles had fallen and several inches had to be scraped off ,then replaced with many tons of new soil to give the new planting a chance to get established. Having a lawn amongst the pine trees were never going to work, so the design allowed for planting, but since this meant deep borders, pathways were included between, to enjoy the planting from both sides of the paths. Over the next couple of years, the plants will offer good ground cover to the beds, so maintenance will get easier.

The garden in parts is about a metre lower than the house, and steep banks made if difficult to mow particularly at the corner of the house. A long raised bed was introduced to deal with the slope and make mowing an easier task, on a level lawn.  This allowed for further newly imported soil into the raised beds. 

The couple had brought with them several statues, so within the design, spaces were allocated offering views of the statues from different points. (As the shrubs develop, these will make more sense.)

I revisited today just 6 weeks or so after finishing the project, and the plants are settling in well, with lots of growing of course still to do over the next couple of years. 

"LITTLE PIECE OF PARADISE"

The customers already call it "Their little piece of Paradise".   I look forward to a revisit in subsequent years knowing they will give the garden a lot of TLC. 

The new archway subdivides the long thin space, and forms a  "window frame" from the kitchen view. The gravel path below, edged with Lavender, curves around to a small brick patio area. Daphne Odora  in the foreground will also offer  a beautiful scent in the winter months as they pop in and out of the back door, and Thyme is also used as edging here.

The new raised bed, previously an awkward grass slope, will soon have perennials spilling over the edges to soften the look. The taller plant is a Witchhazel so will be one of the first shrubs to flower in  January.

This deep corner with trees, is now a bark pathway, allowing a stroll through between the planting, and to the Wendy House, with one of their stone benches as a option to stop along the way.

On route to the Wendy house, and a view of the other part of the L-Shape Garden, toward the garage. This view soon to be blocked as the shrubs grow and separate the space 

View from the Wendy House

View from the Garage end of the garden looking back to the Wendy House. Under planting of  multiples of Viburnum Davidii, Ferns,  Epimediums, different Geraniums, and Euonymous,  will offer a tapestry of ground cover  over the next 2-3 years.

The raised bed with silver, white and purples

BEFORE..... Very uninspiring.

The side view to the Garage

The back of the house . Path and patio, but the patio not big enough to be comfortable, so this was extended further out.

The Wendy house corner.

Conifer hedge gone - and now for some more interesting planting!

This customer's garden was dominated by a conifer hedge all along the back boundary, and of course we all know that plants struggle to grow next to conifer hedges. So they asked my advice, and I did not hesitate to encourage them to have it removed.  A bold step after they had lived with it for so many years, but they decided to go for it. It is a sunny garden and they were missing a trick by not being  able to plant in the south facing back border.

The new planting on the back boundary include an Amelanchier Tree, Choisya, Physocarpus and a selection of climbers which will cover the new fence over the next 3 years. New perennials which will give good impact THIS YEAR, include early flowering Alliums, Geraniums, Alchemilla Mollis, Achillia, Lavender,  and for colour right into October, Asters, Sedums, Crocosmia, and Rudbekia.

The planting was previously stuck to the edges, so the new arch with its offset circular border adds a new dimension to the garden, and since the customer has lot of pots, plenty of space for them on the generous gravel path......... and less lawn to cut too!

Newly planted, and with new patio, step, pathway and arch

BEFORE, THE CONIFER HEDGE ON THE BACK BOUNDARY WAS A WASTE OF A SOUTH FACING BORDER.....

Before. The right border, and back border

Before. The tired brickwork patio and all planting around the edges of the garden. 

Signs of spring

I love this time of year. Cold, bright and colour starts to appear in the garden.

Hellebore Argutifolius

Primula

Hellebore Orientalis

Iris Reticulata

Anmone Blanda

Crocus

Two years later

I received some photos in the last few days from a customer whose garden was brought up to date two years ago. I do not like to remove shrubs if they are working, so keeping a good deal of maturity, it was a case of working with a new layout to inject some further interest into the garden space, and adding perennials within existing borders to make them more dynamic.

I also split up the expanse of lawn, with brick edged gravel pathway, which leads to new steps and a second patio on the raised part of the garden, and the evening sun.

BEFORE photos are at the end of the blog

BEFORE, a rather predictable layout with large lawn and borders around the edges.

Adding another dimension to a tired garden

This garden is walking distance from my home, so I know exactly what the soil conditions are like...... clay!  That said, there are a huge number of plants which do very well in clay, and  it's a case of breaking it down, working in organic matter, and selecting plants which will be thrive. The garden is southwest facing, so plenty of sun, near the house and side borders, where the soil will dry out in summer, but shade from the garden wall along the  back border, allows for different plants, which will enjoy the shade.

The patio near the house was replaced recently, so it was to stay, but the rest of the garden was basically lawn, with empty borders where conifers had been removed.

Rather than simply replant the empty borders, I suggested that an arch should be built with a pathway leading to a second seating area. This allows instant height within the garden,  the opportunity to walk between planting, and enjoy an alternative view of the garden too.

I look forward to a revisit next year. It's going to look fantastic.

Sedum, Aster Frikartii, Lavender and early Allium bulbs will enjoy
this sunny spot,

The south facing border will next year be full of Roses, Day Lilies, Oregano, Balotta, Stipa Gigantea
Knautia Macedonica, Geranium Rozanne and Verbena Bonariesis. The shed previously very
prominent in the garden, will soon be hidden by Jasmine and Goldren Hop clad trellis

The dainty glaucous foliage of Dianthus will edge the border next to the patio, in contrast to 
the chunky foliage of Euphorbia Myrsinites

The new arch, and brick edged path is one route to the seating area. A climbing Rose
will make it's way up the trellis on the right, and on the leflt , Panicum Heavy Metal grasses, will
subtlety block the view to the left and also catch the westerly evening sun. In the far corner a

Silver Birch tree which was in a pot, has been planted, and in time will screen the houses beyond. 

Schitzostylis  Mrs Haggerty. A lovely late season surprise with grassy foliage
which has looked good all season. Viburnum Davidii will provide a green back drop.

A spring plant, Tiarella Wherryi flowering for a second time due to the mild autumn.
Dark Heuchera Obsidan in the back ground add a touch of dark foliage amongst the greens.

I selected useful ground cover plants for the shady areas, which will knit together amongst the old conifer roots, including Viburnum Davidii, Euonoymous, Geranium Nodosum, Geranium Macrorhyzum, Dryopteris Felix- mas, Epimediums and Geranium Phaem.

Shrubs to add height to the shadier parts of the garden included Viburnum Tinus, Aucuba, Hydrangea, Ilex and Viburnum Dawn.  Perennials in the wetter areas include Ligularia, Trollius and Lythrum.


And in the sunnier parts, Roses, Daphne, Lavender, Stipa Gigantea, Deutzia and Physocarpus, will add height to the many sun loving perennials.


BEFORE.   
The garden before had the typical patio, lawn, shed and planting around all the edges. Now it will offer so much more interest.

BEFORE

BEFORE. Empty border after conifers had been removed.

Family Garden - with cycle track

This V shaped garden, larger than most for a modern estate house, also backs on the railway embankment and the owners had trouble  keeping ivy, nettles and weeds at bay as they encroached from the embankment side.

Part of the brief therefore was to include a path alongside the fence-line to stop the weeds invading, but also to act as a cycle path for their young children. The path was to extend all the way around the garden so that it could be enjoyed year round. They also needed a large barked area for play equipment, a large patio area, ( big enough for furniture and bikes to ride passed!) and raised bed for vegetables.

Since the hard landscaping was completed 2 weeks ago, the family have already used the garden so much  more than before, so it is guaranteed that they will LOVE it in the warmer months next year. It's difficult to give the WOW factor when planting late November, but I know this garden will look spectacular next spring and summer, and I look forward to a revisit with my camera.

A path continues from the patio to the  new shed and compost location, and by next spring, the beds on either side will be full of colour from a variety of perennials and also bulbs, extending right into the autumn months.

The path continues along the fence line.   Half way, a bridge offers an option to access the lawn. The wide borders
allow for shrubs, but with plenty of space for perennials to keep the garden interesting through the seasons.   In a couple of years time, the path will be hidden by Photinia Red Robin, Choisya Ternanta, Dogwood and tall grasses. 

Beyond the bridge, the path continues under 1 of 3 small arches to a swing seat, where Mum and Dad
can relax in the late afternoon sun, whilst the children are playing.

Looking across the garden from the childrens's bark play area.

The fence opposite will soon be hidden by evergreen shrubs.

Schitzostylis Alba. An excellent late season perennial

Penstemon Hidcote Pink. Will flower for months and enjoy the free draining soil.

BEFORE PHOTOS..... not terribly inspiring.

Adding some impact to a very tidy, but dull garden

I do see some very untidy gardens when visiting clients, but on this occasion, the existing garden was beautifully managed..... but very dull. After spring shrubs, almost no colour at all to look forward to. Also, the only patio area was tucked in between the conservatory and side wall offering no other place to sit in the garden and enjoy the evening sun. The garden had quite a slope, so the design had to allow for this, and therefore step down to a new patio area, which at the same time has been lifted towards the back, with plenty of hardcore and retaining walls.

The garden of the neighbouring property to the rear, is much  higher, infact the owners can look straight over at head height. Important to the brief therefore was to provide privacy. A timber raised bed of 30" in  height now has Photinia Red Robin planted as hedging, and in to time, will provide an evergreen screen between the properties. The aim is to allow the hedge to grow to around 1 metre or so above fence level, proving privacy to both parties, which can be easily managed by standing in the raised bed.

More interesting sun loving perennials which will enjoy the free draining conditions, are also planted in the raised bed, and will soon tumble over the front edges to soften the look.  Much of the rest of the garden is wet sticky clay, so plants such as Hemerocallis, Carex Elata Aurea, Iris Siberica, Lythrum, Euphorobia Palustus, Hydrangea and Cornus together with a variety of Geraniums were all chosen to suit the conditions.

It will look very different by next spring, when the young plants emerge 3 x bigger than  planted, and by year 2 will be packed full. I look forward to a revisit in the knowledge that it will be well cared for by the owners.

The new patio offering  a place for the evening sun, back by a raised bed

The  new second patio area will soon be surrounded by colourful perennials and grasses backlit by evening sun,
whilst offering a view back to the house

Beautifully scented Viburnum Dawn, will grow to a height of around 2.5mtrs
over around 10 years proving almost tree like structure 

The bed outside the kitchen window sees almost no sun, but Helleborus Nigra, Lamiums and
Liriope Muscari will be very happy in those conditions, together with scented evergreen Sarcoccoca Confusa

The old patio replaced with new Indian Sandstone, leading into a path
around the conservatory and to the side of the house. The ideal place for a shady seat,
and a further seating area in sun now at the far end of the garden.

Panoramic view

BEFORE. The old patio led only to lawn. The lawn continued all around
the conservatory and up to the fences.

BEFORE. The view from the patio was tidy but rather dull.