New driveway and flowerbeds

ChilliBob

Hey guys,
Upon removing the stones from one side of my driveway (see previous thread) in preparation for planting stuff we've decided to pause... Somebody on here rightfully said that we'd need some edging..... which I offered to put in myself - get some blocks, mix up some cement, bobs your uncle.... 

My wife had other ideas and said we should get a whole new patio!....... A bit different, but then she's sort of convinced me.

Along with the two borders we have I think we would:
1. Make the narrow one wider
2. Add one under each bay window

Which gives us way more space to plant stuff, which sold me. 

What's proving tricky is deciding what we want - so I wanted to canvas on here for opinion. I appreciate this is a gardening forum, but I figured I'd get decent advice for a nice driveway here from plant loving folk...... 

1. We want something which doesn't get weeds poking up through it all the time, as our previous, and current drive way does
2. Gravel is out - my wife has some near on irrational dislike for it! (Plus weeds come up through it!)
3. This new fangled resin stuff - does anyone have it? - I've seen some installs of it and it looked really good, and others looked a bit naff - I'm also curious how it fairs after a few years.

Right now I think we're between block paving with some decent pointing, natural stone (but we don't want grey or yellow, so somewhat limiting!), or resin - but it feels a bit too 'new' and an unknown quantity! 

Thoughts, tips, advice much appreciated!

I'll try to sketch up a little drawing of our ideas space wise too! 

Fairygirl

The resin isn't long lasting if it's regularly used, from what I understand. I assume you're using it as a driveway rather than a patio?
If you want a low maintenance area, paving with the gaps mortared will be the best solution. 

ChilliBob

Yep, it's a driveway with a car used normally daily/a few times a week. I did wonder how long lasting it would be  - we've just moved here, well December, and I asked my wife, how long do you think a new driveway should last? - Forever, was her answer (we're both 40!), which makes me think resin isn't the way.

I do struggle to find any paving which looks that interesting, perhaps I'll have to see what options there are for natural stone besides grey or yellow!

This is laughably poor, but essentially, this is where we are now:


And this is the idea:


The scale is all messed up, essentially the two boarders will be similar - one will be a flip of another so under the smaller window the narrow border will continue, the narrow border will also be increased in size a bit. Then, under the bay window there will be a bed a bit like the one above, but probably more half oval than half circle!

For reference, the driveway bit is plenty wide enough for two cars, doors opening and long enough that the border in front of the bay window could actually be about 6 foot and not be an issue!

I have visions of Verbena B growing in the smaller window border, which will become my office, which I can see growing up above the window!

JennyJ

Make sure there's enough access for cleaning the windows. A few stepping stones in the borders might be enough particularly if you do them yourself, but if you have a window cleaner they aren't always very careful where they put their feet.

ChilliBob

JennyJ said:

Make sure there's enough access for cleaning the windows. A few stepping stones in the borders might be enough particularly if you do them yourself, but if you have a window cleaner they aren't always very careful where they put their feet.

What a good point! - I think this should be alright, but some stepping stones could be a great idea. We don't have a window cleaner at the moment, but that may well change.