Need to make my garden interesting

Hey folks

Over the past 3 years I have been focusing on fixing a horrible mossy lawn. I am getting there slowly, but need more work yet.

I dug out some old beds and resowed over them... now I want to plant some shrubs and flowers and interesting things to bring my garden to life...

I am a young guy, with no knowledge of gardening really. Learning as I go...

What can I do with this garden? At the moment all that has been added since we took over is two rose climbers in picture 1.


^ Looking Southwards



^ Looking West, Plants Facing East



^ Back corner is shady come 4 or 5pm due to large conifer and tree in neighbours garden.


I am based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. I love tropical plants, nice shrubs, colourful flowers, open to all suggestions of what will work.

Really appreciate any suggestions.

 

You've got a lovely blank canvas there! Have fun! Rather than make lots of suggestions as to plants, I'm going to recommend a visit to Mount Stewart, which is nice and near you: Mount Stewart

I remember visiting in early May and thinking it was perhaps the most beautiful garden I've ever seen. Truly. Obviously it's large and many of the plants and shrubs would be too big for your garden, but not all of them by any means. And I remember being surprised by how many "exotics" there were, because of the nice, damp, temperate climate. Things like this lantern tree, which was flourishing there, but which I've never seen growing in England: Crinodendron hookerianum | Chile lantern tree/RHS Gardening

Others will have good suggestions for more plants I'm sure.

 

I would add a mix of shrubs and perennials (because they come back each year), maybe a tree and some bedding plants for summer colour.

 

A lot you can do there. The fences look in good condition. But that one on the right needs hiding. String some horizontal wires at about a foot apart between eyes screwed to the post and train "stuff" up it. Like wisteria or quince both are ast growing, we've three quince that hide most of the six ft fence on the left. We've a big wisteria on the other side on that six ft fence.

Resist the temptation to have conventional borders. No straight lines, create features that draw the eye in stages down the length of the garden and try to create a bit of mystery. Pergolas add interest you could have one against the garage, as we do. We've also one on the back of the house.

I presume you've a lounge window behind the camera?

Our garden is of similar dimensions, but our garage is on the other side.








You don't have to do it all in one go. Make a plan of how you would like it to eventually look and do it in stages as time and money dictates, starting with the bit nearest the house that can be seen from the window. This view will give you encouragement.

Have a trawl through this message board for photos of gardens and and pinch ideas.

 

@Clare G Mount Stewart, thats a wonderful idea! I will do just that tomorrow perhaps

@kazzawazza I agree for sure, any recommendations?

 

Wow, what a beautiful garden!

Yes, where the roses climbers are is close to our living room, we look out on to the back garden which will be great once we have it in shape

 

These are just some ideas I like. Transforming a garden needs to be planned and is down to personal choice.

I would start with a picture board or use Pinterest for ideas that you like.


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