With the builders now finished and the house almost back to normal our thoughts have again turned back to the garden. One area we have mentioned that is long over due a makeover is the front of our house. Just a few weeks ago it was very much a dumping ground for the builders (see this post from September).
The existing pots and plants had been moved to one side, many of which really need re-potting or planting out. Some of the palms in the pots will be planted in the back and one or two others will get new homes in a larger pot.
With the new porch the area by the front door has reduced in size, so there is not as much space for as many pots as there once was. With the obvious change due to the porch it is a good time to rethink quite what we do with this space. Its size (or lack of) makes it a tricky space to garden, and the benefits offered by keeping the majority of it as a hard standing further restricts the use.
The space itself is not big enough to park our car on, unless you park almost horizontal to the house, so a useful parking space is also ruled out.
As the house is close to the road we are keen to add some height with any planting to create some visual block to passers by. Fortunately we live on quite a quiet side street so there's not lots of people looking in as they walk along the pavement outside.
Our plans are still developing, but the current idea is to add metal railings on the left and right hand sides, with a matching gate in the arched passageway. From chatting to our builders we found out about a small local firm that makes railings to any design and size, so in the new year we can go and have a chat with them about what we want to do.
On the right hand side we want to introduce a small border and grow several hedging shrubs in an informal hedge. We have a number of ideas as to what we will grow there, it is south facing and sheltered from the buildings to the north. The block paving may well also act as something of a heat sink absorbing warmth to radiate back to the plants.
On the left hand side, we need to be wary of service pipes - electricity, gas and water that are all buried somewhere under that paving. They come into the house on the far left hand side, and the water meter is in the pavement outside the house on that side, so we do not want to risk disturbing any of these items. A simple makeover could become very expensive if we sever a pipe!
As a result we have been considering pots or a planter for this part. Again its not a large area but we don't want something that is underwhelming. Mark has written before about having a raised gravel bed there with yucca or other succulents that should enjoy the sheltered aspect. I quite like the idea of building a planter from new railway sleepers. This would give us a reasonable planting depth without disturbing the ground below the paving. If it were to sit on top of the block paving then if access was needed it could be dismantled. We haven't needed access below ground so far, so with any luck there will be no need to disturb the plants.
We had also thought about placing large pots on the paving in front of the bay window. These could be moved if needed and would keep the paved surface available if needed to store materials on for future projects.
Whilst there is still plenty to do indoors, our minds are already jumping ahead to these future projects!
In case you wondered where the picture of the finished porch is... watch this space all will be revealed soon :)
Gaz
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| Delightful landscaping courtesy of our builders. |
With the new porch the area by the front door has reduced in size, so there is not as much space for as many pots as there once was. With the obvious change due to the porch it is a good time to rethink quite what we do with this space. Its size (or lack of) makes it a tricky space to garden, and the benefits offered by keeping the majority of it as a hard standing further restricts the use.
The space itself is not big enough to park our car on, unless you park almost horizontal to the house, so a useful parking space is also ruled out.
As the house is close to the road we are keen to add some height with any planting to create some visual block to passers by. Fortunately we live on quite a quiet side street so there's not lots of people looking in as they walk along the pavement outside.
Our plans are still developing, but the current idea is to add metal railings on the left and right hand sides, with a matching gate in the arched passageway. From chatting to our builders we found out about a small local firm that makes railings to any design and size, so in the new year we can go and have a chat with them about what we want to do.
On the right hand side we want to introduce a small border and grow several hedging shrubs in an informal hedge. We have a number of ideas as to what we will grow there, it is south facing and sheltered from the buildings to the north. The block paving may well also act as something of a heat sink absorbing warmth to radiate back to the plants.
On the left hand side, we need to be wary of service pipes - electricity, gas and water that are all buried somewhere under that paving. They come into the house on the far left hand side, and the water meter is in the pavement outside the house on that side, so we do not want to risk disturbing any of these items. A simple makeover could become very expensive if we sever a pipe!
As a result we have been considering pots or a planter for this part. Again its not a large area but we don't want something that is underwhelming. Mark has written before about having a raised gravel bed there with yucca or other succulents that should enjoy the sheltered aspect. I quite like the idea of building a planter from new railway sleepers. This would give us a reasonable planting depth without disturbing the ground below the paving. If it were to sit on top of the block paving then if access was needed it could be dismantled. We haven't needed access below ground so far, so with any luck there will be no need to disturb the plants.
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| Some Winter colour from last year.... probably a one off |
Whilst there is still plenty to do indoors, our minds are already jumping ahead to these future projects!
In case you wondered where the picture of the finished porch is... watch this space all will be revealed soon :)
Gaz
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
Hi Gaz, your front yard definitively presents some challenges, but I am sure you guys will come up with a solution and I am already curious what it might be.
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love that container. The plants that you have chosen are so pretty. Kind of an unusual style for what I am used to see from your garden, but I absolutely love it. The beautiful blue of the pot reminds of the ones that I just purchased for my front yard! Wishing you a good week!
Christina
Thanks Christina! We had good fun making that seasonal container last year and it lasted all winter too. We never did have time this year but perhaps do another seasonal one early next year.
DeleteLooking forward to seeing what you do with this space, and what it looks like now that the builders are done.
ReplyDeleteWish our front garden was as big as yours Alison :) quite excited here on what we can do on this tricky spot with such a small space and all
DeleteThe design issues you're facing are very common, and I'm sure a lot of people are waiting to see what you come up with. Your solutions are always inspired--and inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gerhard! Yes more common indeed especially here and this type of property. So tricky with it being so small. Some compromises to be made but looking forward to getting stuck in.
DeleteIt is difficult to fill in that space, but I know you will do it. :) I think small spaces call out for some color.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
We hope so Cher! Thinking of sticking with blue pots for a splash of colour at the front.
DeleteAs others have already said - I too can't wait to see what you come up with! Look forward to it :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy!
DeleteSmall front gardens are tough challenges! I like the sound of your railings and informal hedge, you could grow some really interesting plants in such a warm and sheltered spot. I remember the talk of the gravel bed with succulents, I still think it is a great idea, you could a lovely time picking and choosing different colours and textures, and it would solve the problem of the services. Loads to think and dream about.
ReplyDeleteSmall front gardens or space in this case is so tricky and what you can do is very limited. Winter is good for coming up with ideas and daydreaming on what to do has begun :)
DeleteI like the idea of the metal railings! Yours is a tiny space, but I am sure it will have a large impact once you are finished. It was a long time after I started reading your blog that I realized that the garden behind your house did not cover acres!
ReplyDeleteThe metal railings seems definite already, top of the list! Hopefully the rest will conveniently follow. Wish we had acres at the back :)
DeleteLooking forward to the all shall be revealed post!
ReplyDeleteQuite a challenge. I'd be very wary of putting things on top of the pipes etc. If you need to access them, isn't it likely you'll need to access them quite quickly, so moving a big bed might be a problem? I suppose growing an exotic-looking climber along the railings to add green on that side would be a terrible idea?
ReplyDelete