Garden help & suggestions very welcome!

9 months ago

Hey, we would love to have any suggestions on how we could make our garden more balanced, we would like to retain as much lawn as possible, but the garden is heavily dominated by the large willow tree (which we love and wouldn’t want to get rid off).

Any suggestions very welcome!

Featured Answer

Sonia

9 months ago

Wisterias are stunning. They do only flower for 3-4 weeks of the year but the leaves are lovely too. As they grow they can get very heavy and will need tying in a lot with strong twine. My Photinia is a tree shape, that is I removed the lower branches and let the top grow more naturally. Then you could add some grasses underneath if you so wish. Sounds like you have some great plans and you obviously have green fingers as your garden is lovely.

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Comments (11)

tamp75
9 months ago
Hi, you have a lovely garden space & the tree is fantastic but I’m not sure what you mean by ‘balanced’? Do you mean adding in beds for plants? Are there any other features you want to include - patio, seating / dining areas, pergola? Knowing a bit more about what you’d like will help people to offer advice.
Jonathan
9 months ago
For me there are a couple of things that could be improved. Firstly I suspect that because the patio has furniture you feel that gets all the use and the garden isn’t fully used- the solution is to have an additional seating area beyond the willow.

The hedging down the right appears to shade your garden and the solution is to slightly reduce its height and take back its depth.

And I wish there was more visual interest in the garden too. So I think I would trim the lower branches of some of the bushes so that you can see the edges of the lawn and add some formality. I would also add more tall specimens so the willow isn’t the only tall thing to look at….. the trick is choosing things that don’t add too much shade but you could consider Italian cypress, I also like silver birch and dark leaf acers.

And I don’t love the fence at the end of the garden- considering your other boundaries are very green this fence looks bare. So add a border and buy more of the things you like (perhaps more photinia?)
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PRO
The Rooted Concept Garden Designs
9 months ago
You have such a lovely space and beautiful mature tree there! What it needs is more structure and sense of journey in the garden. At the moment the tree is the only feature and your eyes imediately get drawn to it and it actually feels like the garden finishes there (when acutally there is an area behind it). First I would advise you to think about how you use the garden and what you want to have in it. A new layout includind new focal points should then ideally be created based on this.

I offer an online based design in which I establish what the client wants in the garden based in a questionnaire and then come up with a design based on this and the garden's unique shape and existing features for maximum aesthetic effect and practical use. If you are at all interested in this, please have a look at my website and get in touch for details.

All the best,

Deborah

www.therootedconceptgardendesign.co.uk

deborahbiasoli@gmail.com
Sonia
9 months ago
It’s a lovely, traditional garden. Great size too. As others have said, there’s a big gap in height between the willow and the rest of the shrubs, so filling that gap will help unify the garden a bit. You can start by letting some of shrubs grow to their full height, for example the Photinia. Over pruning shrubs can make them look a bit dull, bit like a bad haircut. I would also add more shrubs at the bottom fence to create more interest. Try a Cotinus, it’s a biggy but it’s gorgeous red leaves are stunning, it’s hardy as well. You have the room for a Buddleia so I try one of those too. They don’t mind being hacked back in spring and regrow quickly. Silver Birch is a gorgeous, quite big tree but has dappled shade. Just don’t plant it too near a path or buildings. What about climbing or rambling roses which create a gorgeous splash of colour all summer long? Or Clemaits Montana which is vigorous and a lovely bit of colour in spring. You’ve got some great bones there which just topping up a bit. Pictures are Cotinus, Buddleia, a row of Silver Birch, and climbing roses.
Matthew Croxford
Original Author
9 months ago
Thank you all so much for your help!

Yes, we don’t want to take anything away as it’s really well established, and I think adding some interest at the bottom of the garden is a really great idea, what are your thoughts on a wisteria on the back fence?

I think the suggestion of letting some the shrubs grow but pruning the big hedge to the right would help create some balance. So we will definitely look to do this, should this wait until autumn?

In time (when funds allow) we would like to have a seating area of pergola at the bottom of the garden but this a long way away realistically!

We will have a look for some more shrubs that add some height and I wonder what everyone’s thoughts are on taking the red robin back and adding some textures such as long grasses to add some more interest and take away from the willow?

Thanks so much for all your thoughtful help so far!

Matt
Jonathan
9 months ago
Wisteria is a lovely idea for the fence. There are faster growing alternatives such as the Cotinus suggested by someone else and personally I would want a wisteria somewhere closer to a patio in order to enjoy the scent.

The Red Robin is lovely in your garden because it’s different leave colour adds interest and perhaps more of the same would be good in order to contrast with the abundance of green. Some grasses and particularly cordyline could tick the box of visual interest.

And I think that you can add height and interest by undercutting some of your shrubs such as the Red Robin and giving them a tree shape.
PRO
Studio Hummingbird
9 months ago
Hello Matthew, how are you getting on with your garden? I love the Willow tree and it makes a fantastic feature!

If you are not clear about what exactly you want from your garden I can take you through my questionnaire, it helps with getting clear about your needs and wants for your outdoor space.

Let me know and I send it to you. Alternatively, you can check out my website https://studiohummingbird.com to get some inspiration. I help my clients to visualise their garden designs to make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes. All the best, Victoria.
Wayne Prest
4 months ago
last modified: 4 months ago
In my own garden, I've strived to achieve a chamber of tranquillity, a compromise between beaming sunrays and the comforting shade, nurturing a variety of verdant growth. I, too, have a towering tree - a majestic oak - that offers an enchanting canopy. And yes, like your willow, it coexists harmoniously with other garden elements.

One way to harmonize your garden could be through layered planting around the base of your willow. Incorporate shade-tolerant plants, ferns, and hostas - all of which can add color and shape to the area.

I also introduced a Houston sofa set this summer, which blends beautifully with nature, resting under the dappled shade of my oak. Consider adding a similar sofa set. It will provide a place to unwind with the lovely backdrop of your alluring willow.

Don't overlook the option of a reflective pool or a birdbath. They can bring in delightful bird activity.
PRO
HouseReno
3 months ago
that willow tree is lovely! I once had a tree like this in my garden I did find it hard to maintain, I ended up getting in touch with an arborist calledmorris brown arborists. If you need help maintaining your garden/willow tree i would recommend. I definitely think your garden would look lovely with lots of burst of coloured flowers.
PRO
Devyra Atelier
3 months ago
Flowers, Pond and waterfall, many wild life like birds, butterfly will frequently visit your garden, Fish also great for stress reliefs

Garden help & suggestions very welcome!

Sonia

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Garden help & suggestions very welcome!

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