Is there anything that could be done about our awful, tiny garden?

Jazzonaut

So we've bought this wonderful new build house that comes complete with possibly the worst back garden I've ever seen in my entire life. Obviously, being a new build, it's deemed to be soulless even if it was bigger and without all the other houses overlooking it, due to the empty brick walls. I'm sure there must be a solution somewhere to make it slightly less crap, like planting some tall, fast-growing plants around the wall or something like that. Is it allowed to plant something that would grow higher that the fence, to add some privacy, for example?

Here's the pictures of this abomination (please add http): imgur.com/a/jWn3p

moonpenny

Although it is small I think it is crying out for some trees.

Not dense high trees but something lighter and open leafed that lets the light through but gives you some privacy.
Wispy birch comes to mind but I think they grow too big so I'd like look further into what type and how big they grow etc.
2 or 3 around the edge of the wall would look very pretty and give some much needed greenery.

datostar

Stick some barbed wire on top and you'll have yourself an exercise yard.

always_sunny

to be honest, it doesn't look too bad. Maybe barren but sure you can change that!
BTW - is it synthetic grass?? :rotfl:

Jokes aside, my back yard is no bigger than yours but more secluded/enclosed by other terraces and I love it.
It's private, I have some crawling plants and trellis, etc. thinking about getting lots of white peebles like this http://www.digsdigs.com/photos/2013/05/40-philosophic-zen-garden-designs-3.jpg; (image is too big and would distort the page)

I wouldn't want a big garden, too much maintenance

tonyh66

trellis and climbing plants will easily hide the walls. You could also paint the walls or put up bamboo screens, you have a blank canvas google is your friend.

lstar337

I'm not a gardener, but I made a space that I am happy with.

We have what I call a very small garden and I didn't think it was possible to do much with it. But I'm happy with where it is now and I just keep adding each year. It isn't going to win any awards, but it if you are happy that is all that matters.

This is what I had to work with:




BTW, those are estate agents photos which makes it look about twice the size it really is!

The first year I got it to this:


And this year I built a planter/recycling storage area:




My advice would be to use what you have. All the vertical walls are great for climbing plants (just be sure to keep them in check), Planters around your edges with some bright colours, and pots look great on paved areas.

Here is a dropbox link with some more photos for inspiration: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dp3qjbjok4bn7et/AAAnfMrkSTUeAhKt2hzCJDW8a?dl=0

Looking at your space I think it has potential. As soon as it stops being a patch of grass surrounded by walls you'll start to feel a lot more positive about it!

Good Luck!

always_sunny

lstar337 wrote: »

I'm not a gardener, but I made a space that I am happy with.

How long did it take for the maple to grow that much?

ripplyuk

My main priority would be to cover the walls. Not entirely but most of it. I'd get some trellis and also some of those planters you attach to the wall for trailing plants. I think a small Japanese maple would look nice in the centre, either planted or in a pot.

I wouldn't add much else as it looks small and possibly shady so it might look cluttered easily. The grass area would look nice as gravel if you don't want to have to cut it all the time.

I'm sure it'll look lovely in a few years:)

lstar337

always_sunny wrote: »

How long did it take for the maple to grow that much?

Quite a few years!

I stole it from my mum when she moved house!
Believe it or not she was going to saw it up and throw it away!

Sadly I wasn't able to save an absolutely stunning green one that she had that was over double that size! I think it cost about £300 when she bought it. Such a waste!

pimento

What direction are you looking towards the back wall?

Jazzonaut

Thanks for all the replies so far, so many useful suggestions! Courtyard inspired garden seems to be the way to go. Planters, trellis & bamboo for some privacy, some flower pots here and there....something along these lines. The garden is south-west facing, by the way. I suppose my main idea is to create a distraction from the buildings behind by having some sort of focal point in a garden as well...and to make it less boxy.