garden design - what do you wish you had known?

pavlovs_dog

Hi all,

we've decided that 2015 is the year of the garden at Pavlov Towers. After many, many hours on Pinterest and Houzz, we have an idea of the type of look we would like to achieve. We plan to start landscaping this summer. But before we jump in with both feet, I wanted to pick your brains.

What do you know now about gardening, garden design and landscaping that you wish you knew before you began?

REEN

Sitting out in the garden in summer is lovely, but a wander around in winter, appreciating the subtle scents and colours, however short, is so rewarding. Plant for all year round.

Oh, and it's an addictive hobby, beware!

I_have_spoken

what do you wish you had known?

Hmm, where to start...in no particular order

Right plant, right place - don't waste time coaxing plants that aren't right for the soil/climate etc.
Do all the hard-landscaping in a big-bang and hire machines and skips, don't faff about in dribs and drabs
Quotes for landscaping always come in much higher than you expected
Most garden designs lack variations in height
Most amateurs forget about lighting in the garden
Black is the ideal colour to stain wood
You don't need a lawn
You do need interest through the winter
Automatic watering systems are worth installing
Never plant ivy or use bedding plants
Orange/red-orange is nearly always a poor colour choice (tulip 'Ballerina' is the only exception I can think of)
Naturalistic planting is the fashion, inc. using umbelifers
Plant in groups of 3 or 5, single plants do look 'bitty'
The plants available from B&Q, Homebase, etc. are as dull as can be
If in doubt, bell Dan Pearson

Davesnave

I've learned that a garden is never finished, or if it is, then it's time to move.


Also, it doesn't matter how many nice photos are viewed, or gardens visited, your garden will reflect your personality, warts & all!

pavlovs_dog

I_have_spoken wrote: »

Never plant ivy plants

having spent almost 2 full days cutting away ivy that the previous owner planted, I've sworn off the stuff for life. It had formed a gnarly old tree trunk that seemed impervious to every garden tool we owned or could borrow.

Never, ever again!

pavlovs_dog

thanks to all for the wisdom shared thus far.

lostinrates

Never trust colour descriptions or photos. If something matters to you, see it in the flesh first.

If you live something you probably always will. ( I remember loving bellus as a tiny child, and just plants two for those memories recently).

You might however grown to like some stuff you didn't like, and your colour palate can develop and grow.

If its your house, garden for YOUR taste and wants. If you ant a garden other people think is bizarre or unfashionable....rejoice in it! Its special, unique, and ultimately, it doesn't matter so long as you enjoy it and use it.

Plan lighting better. However well you plan it!

Almost every garden needs height. Preferably living height IMO. There are so many trees including small ones or ones that can be coppiced to choose from.

I_have_spoken

Get one of John Brookes' books...

Mojisola

Learn where the sunny and shady spots are in your garden. Put your sitting area where it's going to get sun at the time of day you're most likely to use it.

Plant up the sunny/shady areas with the plants that enjoy that situation.

lostinrates

Mojisola wrote: »

Learn where the sunny and shady spots are in your garden. Put your sitting area where it's going to get sun at the time of day you're most likely to use it.

Plant up the sunny/shady areas with the plants that enjoy that situation.

Or half in half out of the sun when you most likely to use it......my husband likes the sun, I am intolerant to it, so half in and half out is ideal!