Help with garden design

FreeBear

sagedan said: Middle level: remove the left small tree and install steps from the left side of garden going up to the top level. Make a pergola type arch around the steps and grow a plant that can grow around the pergola (thinking of Jasmine, any better suggestions?)

Planted a white jasmine many years ago to climb up a fence. It only lasted a year, so rather disappointed. Put in a Jasmine Beesianum in another spot up against a wall, and it is growing quite well. Flowers are insignificant and don't last long. Have a Akebia Quinata that got planted last year to climb over an arch. A few flowers on it this year, and it looks to be romping away.

Over my patio, I have an arbor that will eventually have a grape vine growing up one side and a Actinidia Arguta (baby kiwi) up the other side - Both are getting established, so it will be a few years before they cover the structure. Experience tells me that one the grape gets going, it will cover the arbor very quickly and should produce plenty of fruit if I can keep the birds away. The kiwi appears to be struggling, so that might end up being replaced.

Passiflora is another good climber, and pick the right one, the fruits can be quite tasty. Some varieties are not very hardy..

ArbitraryRandom

IIRC, jasmine isn't a huge fan of wet/shaded roots? Not sure what look you're after, but I've seen this in someone's garden and it was lovely: https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/96103/rosa-wedding-day-(ra)/details

SteveSave24

I love the idea of replacing artificial grass with a lawn. So many people are thinking the other way round at the moment but I don't think there is any comparison to artificial grass and a real lawn. I don't know what it is, it just makes you feel like you are really outdoors. Better for the environment also:)

Working_Mum

Hello there,
I have a garden which is the same orientation as yours so thought I'd share what has done really well!

I have a passiflora along the rear fence which is going great guns. It has romped along and looks great in flower - it has spread over the fence to a large stump on the neighbours garden and looks great covered in flowers.
I also have a clematis (Montana I think) which is climbing a garage wall to the left had side of the fence - this has also done really well.
I replaced the plastic grass with turf and it has been fine - gets a lot of sun during the summer but less so in the autumn and winter. My lawn has been fine and I've not had huge amounts of moss or extra work to keep looking nice.
I planted shade loving plants along the right hand side of my garden and these have thrived. Hostas and ferns look great along with hazel and gaura for a bit of summer colour.
the left hand side of my garden has seen really gorgeous display of tulips & daffodils in the Spring along with irises and dahlias in the warmer summer months. Goldenrod has thrived there too.
I am in the process of planting a cut flower bed in the main sunnier part of my garden. I've planted several tress - almond, mulberry, twisted willow, rowan, Japanese maple, silver maple, magnolia as I think as the planet warms up we need trees to keep living spaces cooler.
It's taken me 4 years to get to this point and I still have loads I want to do (and what the garden is calling me to do!!).
You've got a great start with your garden and you'll get years of pleasure from working in it.
Keep us posted with pics of your progress - it's always lovely to see what people do with their spaces.

leonard_455

I don't know if you bought the furniture for the bottom level like you wanted, but I recommend adding rattan. It offers a blend of style and durability that's hard to beat. And it should integrate with your outdoor surroundings, especially with that fence, creating a relaxing and inviting atmosphere.
You could check out the rattan furniture from Garden Centre Shopping. Good prices and great quality. I'd say about 20% cheaper than other stores.

Katiehound

You haven't said what the tree is- shame to get rid of a mature tree. Most trees can be pruned.
 Also the shrub which is flowering well & could be reduced in size a bit after it has finished flowering.I think that is a 'snowball 'tree-Viburnum opulus Roseum

There are quite a few well behaved evergreen shrubs which would look good on the top bed- thinking euonymus which comes in various variegated options & makes a neat bush or will grow up a fence.

Certainly get shot of the plastic 'grass'- does no favours to the environment.

I have to say if it was my garden I would get an expert in to do the planning after discussion- I think that would be money well spent.