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Post by Shrubrose on Nov 12, 2007 19:36:45 GMT
Hello folks. I'm looking for ideas on what to do with a part of the garden that we've done very little with. It's very open and gets sun mostly all day round really and is exposed to wind (we're on a hill).
It is flat, has a wall of some 1.5m high at the south side and a hedge at the west side but neither offer much protection as it's a decent size (about 580m2 ). I do like the sense of space it provides but would like to do something more creative than just mow grass (which is currently there).
We're on clay and I know we'll have to work that over to get decent soil and dig out stone, which there's a lot of round here!
It's a part of the garden that will be overlooked by a lounge at ground level, a bedroom at first floor level and a study at 2nd floor level.
I think I want to create a 'room' that will offer visual interest & appeal at all these different levels and perhaps create a 'micro-climate' for more delicate types of plants.
Not asking a lot of you, am I? ;D
Any ideas would be very, very welcome.
Thanks in anticipation.
Shrub.
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Post by Weeterrier on Nov 12, 2007 20:20:30 GMT
Mmmmmmm, will have to give that some thought Shrub. Clay soil? You lucky lady  |
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Post by Shrubrose on Nov 13, 2007 1:13:11 GMT
Oh, it'll be grand I'm sure wt.......in about 20 years or so ;D
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Post by 4pygmies on Nov 13, 2007 6:49:22 GMT
An alpine meadow.........a wild flower meadow...........both? Ooh, Shrub you could re enact your own personal Julie Andrews moment whenever the mood takes you....wow......what an opportunity....can we see pictures please?
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Post by Shrubrose on Nov 13, 2007 8:08:20 GMT
Morning 4P. I wish it were that big but sadly not  I'll get a pic at the weekend which might help with ideas. I suppose I could do a hop, skip and a jump though ;D |
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Post by Plocket on Nov 13, 2007 9:18:45 GMT
I was thinking along the lines of a meadow too, with perhaps some willow screening to tempt you in  |
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Post by Shrubrose on Nov 13, 2007 19:20:19 GMT
The willow screening sounds like a good idea Plocket. I want to seperate the area that will be the veg plot from the garden area so a 'living' screen would be lovely. |
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Post by Plocket on Nov 14, 2007 8:56:37 GMT
As long as you can get the willow stems! I'm sure there are some lovely ideas online somewhere - it's a case of looking I suppose. It sounds like a lovely project |
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Post by andy on Nov 14, 2007 12:48:17 GMT
How about some grasses....larger ones at the back such as miscanthus, pampass or even bamboo...they move really nicely in the wind and some of the other colourful ones towards the front.
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Post by Shrubrose on Nov 15, 2007 6:17:34 GMT
I like black bamboo Andy. Dont know if it's invasive though? I'll put it on my list of things to check out. Do you know, I never thought of using the wind to advantage (daft I know, but I hadn't!). Thankyou.
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Post by andy on Nov 15, 2007 6:27:35 GMT
I have a nice clump of miscanthus zebrinus at work...it's only about 4' high and has flowers on now. When the frosts come, the stems die off but still remain in place and they move delightfully in the wind and give off a reall nice rustling sound.
Worth thinking about
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Post by Plocket on Nov 15, 2007 16:48:18 GMT
I've got black bamboo Shrubby and it's not a particularly invasive bamboo. If you are worried though grow it in a large pot - that's what I've done with one of mine |
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Post by nightowl on Nov 15, 2007 17:15:40 GMT
Mmmmmmm, will have to give that some thought Shrub. Clay soil? You lucky lady Are you joking WT?? I used to have clay and no way would I swap it now for my easy sand... |
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Post by flowersfriend on Nov 15, 2007 17:44:52 GMT
Dare I say it, Shrubrose but what about a pond?  If its flat, you could make a round dew pond. Then you would see the reflections of the sky from your windows. The sense of space would then remain and there would be no mowing!. You might get some wildlife, you would be able to see from your lounge. You could put your grasses/bamboo around the far edge. Just a thought..... maybe you already have a pond? What about a scree garden, low plants don't mind the wind.... you could add some interesting ornaments or a bird bath. How exciting.... enjoy, its like opening a present.  |
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Post by Shrubrose on Nov 15, 2007 18:34:49 GMT
Thankyou all for your replies I've added all your suggestions to my 'favourites' list having googled all of them!! Flowersfriend, when you said 'scree garden' I thought 'no' but I googled it anyway and have found some fab ideas. It's not what I imagined at all. In fact, have found a nursery quite close to us that looks to have some lovely scree gardens and very much in keeping with the kind of terrain we have round here. I found myself getting quite excited! ;D Andy, the miscanthus would fit in to that kind of garden very well do you think? Anyway, upshot is, we're going to go and have a look at this nursery. Taking my camera so will post some pics and see what you think. Wont be till we've finished the painting indoors though! (That's another project we've had on the go for some time). |
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Post by Chuckles on Nov 22, 2007 18:08:18 GMT
 how come I missed this thread it's been around 10 days, not been paying attention have I ;D Sounds like you've had some fab suggestions Shrub. I just love a garden that is set into rooms but still open, if that makes sense. When you move through it you get a surprise and you can mix all sorts of planting ideas from room to room too. Some L shaped sections would be nice and make sure you plan some seating areas in won't you. Ooooh what ever you do I'm sure it will be lovely ;D
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Post by Shrubrose on Nov 22, 2007 18:16:39 GMT
how come I missed this thread it's been around 10 days, not been paying attention have I ;D Sounds like you've had some fab suggestions Shrub. I just love a garden that is set into rooms but still open, if that makes sense. When you move through it you get a surprise and you can mix all sorts of planting ideas from room to room too. Some L shaped sections would be nice and make sure you plan some seating areas in won't you. Ooooh what ever you do I'm sure it will be lovely ;D I could do with some of your enthusiasm Chuckles and your energy! You dont fancy a weekend 'break' do you? I am excited by FF's suggestion about the scree garden and will look into that post Chrimbo. 'Rooms' is good. I like that idea. Gives a sense of 'progression' through an overall space doesn't it. Having somewhere to sit is essential aint it? You wont believe what we got from a salvage yard - all the parts of a stone arch! Victorian I think. Cost us about £40. Bargain. Going to create a 'secret' sitting place using this - the building of it will be OH's project. I'll just 'tell' him what to do! ;D |
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Post by Missredhead on Nov 22, 2007 18:27:20 GMT
Can't wait to see the end result.....
Better be nice to him over Christmas then ;D
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Post by Shrubrose on Nov 22, 2007 18:32:04 GMT
Can't wait to see the end result..... Better be nice to him over Christmas then ;D He often 'bows' to my 'better' judgement Missy, though of course he would never admit to doing so, me being a bit of a numpty an' all! Being an architect, he thinks he should be the one that comes up with all the design ideas and has difficulty coming round to ideas other than his own. It makes for interesting times I can tell you! ;D |
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Post by Missredhead on Nov 22, 2007 18:33:41 GMT
I can imagine.....the trick is to make him think that he thought of it first ;D
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Post by Shrubrose on Nov 22, 2007 18:37:04 GMT
I can imagine.....the trick is to make him think that he thought of it first ;D Wait till I show you the pics of the finished project in the barn (which we are currently painting, ho-hum!). My idea re the space prevailed. Now OH claims it was always his!!!! ;D |
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Post by Missredhead on Nov 22, 2007 18:37:53 GMT
Typical man ....
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Post by andy on Nov 22, 2007 18:38:45 GMT
Of course shrubrose...you could combine all the suggestions.
A nice pond with the spoil making an alpine rockery with willow screening and grasses in behind
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Post by Shrubrose on Nov 22, 2007 18:38:52 GMT
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I'll get a pic at the weekend which might help with ideas. I suppose I could do a hop, skip and a jump though ;D
how come I missed this thread it's been around 10 days, not been paying attention have I ;D
