I would love to get some ideas/advice on the garden in the flat we are about to move into. It is currently a shared garden but we are able to divide it down the middle with a fence. We are also planning on putting a gate into the garden just to create a bit more privacy from the downstairs flat. This will leave us with an 8 foot by 20 foot garden. Note, the shed is being taken away but we are likely to get one to put there.
I've attached a photo- The blue line is roughly where it would be split.
How would we maximise on the small space that we do have and make it look more spacious? Any ideas would be really appreciated! Thanks in advance.
So I wouldn’t replace the shed, I would lose it and recycle anything that’s currently stored in there.
West facing and with that building opposite you’ll be in shade all morning then again in the late evening? So you’ll be sitting primarily by the house, naturally.
Are you getting shade from the existing fence at all? With another fence it will feel quite tight.
My thoughts are;
Height Planters and pots Nothing that requires big gardening tools
I’m imagining from that position of the photographer seeing two tall plants either side forming an arch like canopy. The fold away seats you have replaced by a small bistro set.
Stepping through, the mossy gravel refreshed with winding pavers leading past a water feature, stone art, maybe some fence mounted pots with say muscari now and cyclamen in winter
Leading to a second seating area, where the shed currently is, a fire pit with stool or bench seating. The closed in nature of your garden may block cold winds enough to be warmed by the fire and have a place to go in winter and late evenings.
Does it need to be a permanent divider? Could you “ fence off” your side with pots and planters instead? I think a fence would make it a little bit claustrophobic. Some long slim planters down the centre would be better and give you the opportunity to grow lots of pretty trailing annuals.
I would suggest using trellis fence panels as the central dividing fence. These would allow some light through rather than casting a solid shadow. You could then plant some climbers and use planting where you will be sitting to give more privacy. I would go for deciduous climbers, again to maximise the light early in the season and over the winter - this will increase the range of plants you can grow in the space available. We’ve used this approach for our main north facing border.
Dont have really narrow borders along the full length as this will simply make the space feel narrow. Alternate narrow borders on both sides which can be planted with climbers against the boundaries, with a wider deeper section but on one side only. This will give more impact and the wider border will help break up the length and make the garden feel wider and give a sense of journey as you move through. You could maybe use acrylic mirrors on the fencing to reflect the planting opposite and give a sense of depth.
You could make the shed a real focal point and most gardens however small need some storage especially if your flat is upstairs, saves lugging gardening stuff up and down. A cheerful colour and some decorative upcycling can work wonders or painting it a Carl colour and placing an arch just in front could help screen it and give the impression of another area to explore.
@joex suggestion of using the gravel with the pavers as stepping stones would work well.
If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”—Marcus Tullius Cicero East facing, top of a hill clay-loam, cultivated for centuries (7 years by me). Birmingham
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@Lizzie27 and @Obelixx - That was are initial thinking too but unfortunately we can't split it the other way.
We have wooden steps coming down from the top flat.
West facing and with that building opposite you’ll be in shade all morning then again in the late evening? So you’ll be sitting primarily by the house, naturally.
Are you getting shade from the existing fence at all? With another fence it will feel quite tight.
My thoughts are;
Height
Planters and pots
Nothing that requires big gardening tools
I’m imagining from that position of the photographer seeing two tall plants either side forming an arch like canopy. The fold away seats you have replaced by a small bistro set.
Leading to a second seating area, where the shed currently is, a fire pit with stool or bench seating. The closed in nature of your garden may block cold winds enough to be warmed by the fire and have a place to go in winter and late evenings.
Dont have really narrow borders along the full length as this will simply make the space feel narrow. Alternate narrow borders on both sides which can be planted with climbers against the boundaries, with a wider deeper section but on one side only. This will give more impact and the wider border will help break up the length and make the garden feel wider and give a sense of journey as you move through. You could maybe use acrylic mirrors on the fencing to reflect the planting opposite and give a sense of depth.
@joex suggestion of using the gravel with the pavers as stepping stones would work well.
East facing, top of a hill clay-loam, cultivated for centuries (7 years by me). Birmingham