what can i do with this patch of garden?

lily-ella

It has two big palm tree things in weird positions, ive had to butcher one as it was covering the path and we were getting spiked! It was also covered in a blanket of ivy, which i have pulled out as hate the stuff, but i cant dig out the roots which were are very thick. Am i stuck with ivy coming back forever? and would it affect any plants I put in? also I think those shrubs are ugly whatever they are - i want to pull those out! But i have no idea what to do with this patch and its letting the rest of the garden down!

im a novice so go easy on me thank you!

lily-ella

Ps sorry if the picture is too big!

serena

It looks as the previous gardener was aiming for a Medittereanean/tropical look.

I'd remove everything, including the tatty edging.

The ivy roots should pull out bit by bit, as although they can layer over each other, they don't generally root very deeply. I'm personally a great fan of ivy in other people's gardens, as removing it supplied me with hours and hours of paid employemnt when I was working as a gardener!:D

Then, when clear, look at the soil. I'd think it would benefit from some soil improver being added. Is it in sun? It looks as though it may be. If you ahve time, then the options are huge - you could do flowers for cutting, veg or salad, bed out with exotic etc etc.

Or, if you have less time, then how about adding a trellis and a climber to the back, and an evergreen shrub like Choisya Ternata, which has glossy evergreen leaves, and masses of scented flowers, usually twice a year. It doesn't need any pruning, but if we get snow again, will need it knocked off the branches or they can break.

Kay_Peel

You have the makings of a Mediterranean-type scheme. Your palm and phormium plant seem to be thriving already, so the hard-landscaping must be providing warmth, shelter and ideal conditions for a 'hot bed'. You will not need to do much to fill out your bed with suitable plants because you already have the two basic ones - and when it's in place it's a low-maintenance scheme:





The BBC has a very good page on choosing plants that are suitable for your site - whether it's dry or wet.

Good luck!

Lotus-eater

What do you want to do with it? Anything, is the real answer, you can do anything with it.

lily-ella

serena wrote: »

It looks as the previous gardener was aiming for a Medittereanean/tropical look.

I'd remove everything, including the tatty edging.

The ivy roots should pull out bit by bit, as although they can layer over each other, they don't generally root very deeply. I'm personally a great fan of ivy in other people's gardens, as removing it supplied me with hours and hours of paid employemnt when I was working as a gardener!:D

Then, when clear, look at the soil. I'd think it would benefit from some soil improver being added. Is it in sun? It looks as though it may be. If you ahve time, then the options are huge - you could do flowers for cutting, veg or salad, bed out with exotic etc etc.

Or, if you have less time, then how about adding a trellis and a climber to the back, and an evergreen shrub like Choisya Ternata, which has glossy evergreen leaves, and masses of scented flowers, usually twice a year. It doesn't need any pruning, but if we get snow again, will need it knocked off the branches or they can break.

Thanks for the advice, will def remove those shrubs, I think theyre ugly and the edging is not very nice. Can I remove those trees really? a job like that scares me! the ivy was bad enough! I still cant dig deep enough to get rid of some ivy roots, hate the stuff!

It is in sun, i like the idea of a trellis and some climbers, i like climbers, except ivy! :rotfl:

lily-ella

Kay_Peel wrote: »

You have the makings of a Mediterranean-type scheme. Your palm and phormium plant seem to be thriving already, so the hard-landscaping must be providing warmth, shelter and ideal conditions for a 'hot bed'. You will not need to do much to fill out your bed with suitable plants because you already have the two basic ones - and when it's in place it's a low-maintenance scheme:





The BBC has a very good page on choosing plants that are suitable for your site - whether it's dry or wet.

Good luck!

thanks I am not keen on the tropical look really! I like the idea of pretty flowers not palms, but I dont think I want to get rid of those tree things as they are really healthy...

lily-ella

Lotus-eater wrote: »

What do you want to do with it? Anything, is the real answer, you can do anything with it.

I want it to be full of flowers! but I dont want the ivy to bug them and me!

Lotus-eater

lily-ella wrote: »

I want it to be full of flowers! but I dont want the ivy to bug them and me!

Let the ivy get some new growth, use something to kill it, dig over and plant new flower plants. Easy.

Barneysmom

You've done the right thing in cutting off the lower leaves. we do that every year with ours and it's produced 3 babies so far. We've passed on 2 and planted the other one on the other side of the garden, they're very hardy plants.

Your shrubs look ugly because they're in the wrong setting. Even if you transferred them to a large pot each they would look a lot better. Don't bing them though, if you don't want them, put them on your local Freegle site, someone will enjoy them.

You haven't got to make it all Med themed, we've got lhalf a dozen roses in our garden, and lots and lots of lavender.

Personally, if it was my space, I'd use it as a kitchen garden and plant sage, thyme, and rosemary in there?

Archiedixon

You can use this patch of garden for growing roses. Roses are the best flowers and will give a dashing look to this patch of garden.
Thanks...........