Help required with parents' garden

My parents have a flat, rectangular, south facing garden with very few plants (see images).

I suggested they dig out the borders at either side and create some flower beds but they were worried that doing so may restrict access to the hedges meaning they will become difficult to trim and maintain.

I'd like to create an outdoor space which they can enjoy, however it sounds like they don't want anything too high maintenance.

Can anyone provide suggestions on how this space could be improved? Both hard and soft landscaping ideas are welcome.

Thanks in advance.

 

A really nice space sandhun

I wouldnt put a border right up to those hedges either. Between the paving and the grass, maybe a lavendar hedge....leaving some access to the grass.

How about making an island bed on one side?

The area between house and paving, currently gravelled, could provide a nice planting area

Everything depends on what sort of plants....I would always include scented ones....and what sort of garden you and your parents might like there. Of course, your parents might be tempted if you took responsibility for maintenance

 

I think something contemporary would look best as it needs to be in keeping with the rest of the property.

Island bed is not a bad idea. Also good call on creating a border between the paving and the grass. Thanks.

 

Agree sandhun.....is that an acer in a pot there? (Not coming out well on my ipad). A couple of acers would look sensational there I think adding colour, form, texture, class and be in keeping with the garden.

 

I think it's nice as it is! What about a table and chairs?

 

They have a table and chairs to one side of the garden (not shown in the photos). I think it lacks colour and could do with some focal points.

@Verdun Yep, that's an Acer and some chives in the planter.

I got some great help to design my garden from the likes of @Clare G @Tetters @"M" and @Heucherella among others. Any other suggestions?

 

Good evening @sandhun. I think the idea of a lavender hedge is ace. It would do well there, and I would dig that border a bit wider, and add some other stuff that would flower at different times of the year - like day lillies, and crocosmias, daffodils and tulips etc. It would be easy to access that set up from patio or lawn.
How about a little summer house near that willow tree, and maybe a clematis or two to climb up in the trees at the bottom of the garden?

 

Hi @sandhun , perhaps create borders at least 1m out from hedge (leaving gap for trimming, with either slabs or bark to stop weed growth and easy standing for any person trimming). These would then be standard 'front facing' borders rather than island beds. (Island beds are great, but my design skills have never been good enough to get them looking good all the way round.) Alternatively simply put a raised bed (using sleepers) next to the patio, so making it easy to maintain and enjoy. What is the soil like?

 

I agree with Verdun to a point. Seeing the photos, I have to say. I would be happy keeping things the way they are. With the greatest respect. No indication of parents age etc.
You are obviously looking out for them and wanting the best, however we can sometimes find ourselves, in a way taking over their lives. No disrespects. Perhaps a few more containers on the patio, where maintenance would be easy. I wish you all the best.

 

I think it's rather handsome as it is, and provided they don't mind mowing the grass it also qualifies as relatively low maintenance I guess. Though that one tree and two pots stuck out in the lawn do all look a bit sad and lonely and must also get in the way of the mower!

In your shoes all I'd do this summer would be to move those pots and the others lurking by the shed onto the patio, maybe acquire a few more and fill them with colourful plants. (Pots always look better in groups, to my mind, unless they are really large or sculptural, e.g. urns.) And I would set up a table and chairs out there (could the existing ones be moved?), a sunshade too. Then encourage your parents to sit out there in nice weather, enjoy their garden as it is, and think about what if any additions they would like to see. Autumn/spring is in many ways a better time to start on those, as you know from your own garden.

People have made some great suggestions - lavender hedges, island beds, etc. - but I think you really do need your parents' input too. I was reading something by Monty Don earlier this week in which he said that the best and most successful gardens he knew were the ones which their creators had filled with personal meaning, which I thought was a lovely way of putting it.

If your parents and you need some inspiration how about giving them some garden magazines and books (those could come from the local library) or visiting the odd flower show and/or local stately home garden with them this summer?

Oh and meanwhile - something nobody else has mentioned yet but which again it would be easy and fun to do right now - how about a bird bath, some bird feeding stations, maybe even a small pond (half-barrel with a water lily and a ladder in and out for frogs?)? Fun for your parents to watch and good news for the local wildlife too!

 

Which would tie in very nicely with what you said about Monty's statement about having personal meaning, great suggestion Clare!

 

As above the garden looks fine as it is , especially if they want low maintenance . Maybe just add a nice water feature or pebble pool ?