Ugly garden fence and plain lawn garden. Makeover ideas?

I am moving into a brand new property soon, but it only has a small rear lawned garden with high fencing all round. The fencing has to stay, so I want to make it look as nice as possible. Hanging baskets and repaint maybe? Unfortunately, I will have to put a 6x7 shed at the far end of the lawn to store bicycles and tools. The inside view from the French doors is from the living room, so I want to make it as nice as possible as it looks like a tiny prison exercise yard at the moment :(

 

Replace grass with pergola, ground planted climber (front), raised decking under pergola, table, chairs, large drink, large potted exotics:gnthb:

 

What is the lawn for? The garden might be more functional and inviting if the lawn were replaced with hard paving, a seating area (the Grill), and container planting for the "garden" effect. The wall could be easily jazzed up with interesting climbers. Any kids in the family? Mine enjoy hanging baskets of cherry tomatoes and trailing strawberries.

 

I agree it would probably make more sense setting rid of the lawn as by the time you put the shed in the garden there will not be much lawn left anyway. A seating area would be much nicer.

Kinda depends if you have any pennies left though after buying the houses

 

what i wouldnt give for a green lawn :( lol

 

Wow!...I'd sell the lawn...that is so lush!

 

or ask the builders to take the lush lawn up and give it to someone else and ask for decking

 

That is definitely a very lush lawn.......BUT..........if you want plants and a shed, it will have to go. Sorry! Let me see, shed in corner, border along fence with climbers and perennials, borders along paved edges - won't leave much lawn, so maybe best to do away with it altogether. Then you could have shed surrounded by plantings with climbers up the fence and burgeoning plants everywhere else. Good luck!

 

the lawn goes - it will be more trouble than its worth and will save having to store a lawn mower. I would also get rid of the water butt.

use hard surfaces and gravel and flower beds. - no decking (garden isn't big enough) but pergola is a must to create privacy. Use the fences and garden shed for clibmers and wall shrubs. Paint, not spray the fence, go for a light neutral shade. Dont try and create different areas but treat blend in the seating with plants.

Chose plants that are going to provide interest throughout the year.

Because you will be buying fewer plants, take your time and pay a little bit more for the best and maybe bigger plants.

Clump forming bamboos for height. Also lighting amonsgt the plants can be very effective. There is so much you can do with even a small garden.


Put your name done for an allotment not only vegetables but can provide flowers for the house

I would also plant in a corner a silver birch to give height to the garden plus a bit of privacy without taking away the light. Get a nice one with attractive white bark

 

I was supposed to be moving in a month ago, so the grass has overgrown! I know there won't be a great deal of grass left when the shed is down, but I do like some lawn and the grass really is in stunning condition. I have 2 kids, one 3, the other 11. Creepers and baskets on the fence sound good. I agree the water butt has to go. It's just taking up valuable room anyway. I just want it to look as nice as possible looking out from the inside without acres of slabs or concrete everywhere.

 

I would get the shed up first then plan from there.

Personally I would start with a climbing rose trained along the fence, Dublin bay would be my personal choice (dark crimson flowers)

Personally I would also add a small tree although for me it would be a rowan.

The remaining planting will depend on what your tastes are, shrubs, perennial borders or borders with bedding plants and spring bulbs or a combination. What PH is the soil? this will to an extent govern what else you plant.

Whatever you do i would suggest you plant up some pots or planters, this will give you some color whilst you sort things out.

 

Hi k21000. When you ask this kind of question, you're bound to get lots of different opinions, all of which are valid. My opinion is that it would look great set out in a tropical (or jungle) style, bananas, palms, bamboos, that kinda thing. When it comes to palms, there's quite a few to choose from and are pretty hardy. Having said that, I lost a couple with the winter we just had, but I could have avoided the losses had I given it a thought and put protection over them. Take a look at Banana Man's garden to see what effect can be achieved. Here's a link http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/showthread.php/banana-mans-july08-15789.html?t=15789 Of course, B/M's garden is larger than yours, but you could still get the same kinda 'feel' with what you have. Hope this helps. Cheers...freddy.

 

BTW, the fence looks fine to me

 

You are lucky to get a blank canvas!

I would recommend Protek fence paint in Soft Sage (if you see my garden thread in garden projects, you'll see the colour) It is a receding colour so it will help your garden look larger

I look forward to seeing your developments, whatever you decide