Garden Design??

kirstiex

Hi all

We had a our driveway done last year and now have a long plot of land between the driveway and wall that is currently just top soil except 1 large silver birch tree and soon to be installed old cast iron street light.

I'm fed up with weeding the whole stretch frequently and want some plants to put in there that will grow and eventually cover most the ground (but have height too) so I limit the weeding. Trouble is I'm useless at knowing what plants will look good, be right for the soil type and shade/sunny parts etc.

Ideally I'd like a landscape designer to design, plants etc but can't afford one but wondered if anyone knows of any service whereby budding trainees/college students etc can come up with some suggestions of what to plant and where?

ixwood

You have 100's of knowledgeable gardeners available online for free.

How much light does it get? How big is the area? What's the soil like? Dry, damp etc?

If it's big enough for a tree, you've got loads of options. I'd consider some flowering shrubs (Buddleia's would be my 1st choice), under planted with lavender, mints and/or Thyme.

That would result in a flowery, low maintenance, weed resistant and wildlife friendly strip.

Davesnave

kirstiex wrote: »

Hi all
Ideally I'd like a landscape designer to design, plants etc but can't afford one but wondered if anyone knows of any service whereby budding trainees/college students etc can come up with some suggestions of what to plant and where?

Similarly, I'd like a knowledgeable trainee architect, or preferably a whole group of them, to come up with some sketch plans for a re-design of my bungalow, because I'm fed up with he way it is at the moment.

It's a great opportunity for them.

heynonnynonny

I found loads of planting plans for free using google, being a new starter I needed some help and found quite a few according to size of plot, soil, sunlight.

Joly_Roger

As a design graduate and someone interested in garden design I'd suggest:

1. Accurately measuring your plot using triangulation and then sketching it to scale on some paper. Mark on it the birch tree and where the lamp post will go. Also note the aspect of the plot and the height of any nearby objects that impact upon the plot. E.G. Overhanging trees that will cast shade or take moisture. Also note if there is an incline to the ground. Ground sloping to the South gets more sunshine.

The PH balance of the soil is also an issue. Probbaly neutral but worth testing just incase your soil is particularly alkaline or ericaceous, as this will limit the plants you can use. Looking at what plants your neighbours have is a good idea as you know they will survive in your local area.

2.Consider what plants you like: Write down your favourite plants. If you don't have any yet, perhaps consider what style of garden you like best (minimalist, low maintenance, cottage, tropical, oriental, Mediterranean, etc..) and look for plants in that style. You'll probably need to visit the library and get a few books on plants for reference.

3. Once you have your list of plants, be sure to appreciate what conditions they like and try sketching them to scale on the plan you drew (Just an appropriately sized circle, labeled with the name is sufficient to represent the plant on a design).

Consider the aesthetics of the design so it looks nice from the angles you will view it, but also place plants where they will work practically. E.G. Not placing tall plants in front of smaller plants or sun loving plants where they will be shaded by the Birch, or putting wide plants too close to each other, etc..


4. Once it's all designed, get cracking on it!



I haven't seen your plot, but if you want low maintenance I would avoid too many shrubs as they will eventually need pruning. Buddleias are nice and attract the butterflies, but I had a part time job as a gardener and I hated pruning shrubs! As you want height I'd go for spaced out architectural planting, with herbaceous perennials and bulbs between for year long interest.

Phormiums are great for year long height, Bamboos give wonderful height and privacy. Trachycarpus Fortunei is an exotic looking tall specimen plant that is very hardy. The old Victorian classic, Yucca Gloriosa, is another plant that would be a great feature plant yet not give any hassle. These sort of dramatic plants could give the backbone to your garden and require very little maintenance.

Herbaceous perennials, such as Hardy Geranium, Red Hot Pokers, Chinese Rhubarb, Peonies, Agapanthus, Rudbekias, Coreopsis, Hemerocallis, Delphiniums, Sedum Iceberg (great for late colour) , etc would give great seasonal colour and are also very low maintenance.

Add to that plenty of bulbs, corms & tubers: Daffs, Alliums, Snowdrops, Tulips, Irises, Grape Hyacinths, Gladioli etc.. And I think it could look quite marvelous all year.

Bulbs go brilliantly with herbaceous perennials, as the bulbs come up early and when they finish flowering the herbaceous perennials take over and cover the foliage from the bulbs. If you add in corms, tubers and summer bulbs you could get a really intersting successional planting scheme in place.

The more plants you pack in the less weeding you'll need to do, although a good covering of bark chips would also help.

EDIT - the fact that you need to do lots of weeding now bodes very well for the fertility and growing potential of your plot. So if you get everything planted this summer there's no reason for it to not look fabulous this time next year, when all the plants are settled

Joly_Roger

One more suggestion: As the bed will run parallel with your driveway, Lavender would look great as an edging plant (providing it gets some sunshine). Lavender has the benefit of being very fragrant, so it's tactile & pleasant to brush past. To avoid it becoming prematurely woody, it requires pruning twice a year, but it's not much hassle.

You can buy small sized multi packs of Lavender (jumbo plugs?) for the equivalent of £1 a plant.

I've just bought some to edge a pathway in our front garden. Although I'm sticking to a blue / purple flowers colour scheme in our front garden as it's East facing, so the blue flowers will glow in the shady evening light as they reflect the blue sky.