Blank canvas...mother-in-law's new garden!

A new project to get my teeth stuck into. My mother in law is about to move into a new house with a new blank canvas garden to work with. I have posted some images below, and an idea on a possible layout.

She likes pinks/purples/whites - any suggestions for easy to maintain plants would be very much appreciated. I am going to plant a few shrubs to break up the vast expanse of naked fence, and a lavender bed around the patio area. Aside from that I am stuck!

 

Are there any trees going in Nick and what sort of size are you thinking with the shrubs at maturity please?

 

No trees - shrubs wise, thought of Pittosporum Elizabeth, maybe Euyonomous - that sort of thing really.

 

Hi Nick,

A few ideas for you......

What about putting a couple of Clematis to cover some of the fence. Shrubs could include Hardy Fuchsias ( there are some nice hardies in the pink/white spectrum ). We have a nice white Lilac which only grows to around 3'.
Purple Buddleia would help mask the fence as well.

 

Climbers will take the bareness off the fences, Clematis, Honeysuckle etc. Roses will be fairly high maintenance so I would avoid those.

There is a pale pink Forsythia for early flowering called Abeliophyllum Distichum, other shrubs.....Philadelphus, Ribes, Exorchorda, Weigela and Pieris.

Smaller shrubs.....Cistus, Hebe, Azalea, Cotoneaster, Berberis.

These all depend on the soil type, although most would be okay on any soil.

It's also worth considering herbaceous perennials for the beds, Lupin, Sedum (Ice plant) etc.

 

That's great thanks - I think she'll like those! Looking forward to seeing it take shape, will certainly be far more interesting than her old garden which was nearly all laid to lawn.

 

Hi Nick.... really looking forward to watching the progress of your project and picking up some tips...

 

If she likes white and pink then gaura is lovely

also asters are great esp for this time of year my purple ones look stunning

both are easy to maintain :-)

 

Thanks all, she moved in this weekend so once she's settled we'll make a good start on it.

 

What a lovely blank canvas, will have a think on this and post some ideas in the morning.

 

Hello Nick. I like the idea of Lavender, especially where you are thinking the planting. For many of my clients, I have found that Lavendula Angustifolia will have a lovely purple colour and if you plant some Allium hollandicum and plant these through the Lavandula, they will bring added interest. Of course, the alliums can be white or be Agapanthus if the Mother in Law prefers.

 

Your canvas will be very nice to work with! Can't wait to see before and after.

 

I seem to have missed this thread . What a lovely blank canvas you have there. I love the idea of the lavender around the patio.
You've already had some great ideas , I have a couple more for you, how about some delphinium & some foxgloves to give you some height? Don't forget to add in some bulbs for early colour
Best of luck with your project & I shall look forward to seeing your progress