lawn vs border area coverage in garden

Newb

What would be a good ratio of border to lawn area in a normal London garden? My garden is 35ft by 60ft. I would love to have loads of flowers but scared of ending up with something like this

 

pansyface

HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU HAVE?

nutcutlet

I'd be afraid of ending up with that as well

There are no rules, it's your garden. You don't have to have a lawn though it's nice to have somewhere to sit. A bit of paving would do.

Looking at that photo there doesn't appear to be any permanent planting, all bedding, so you'd have nothing in winter, you need a shrub or some.

Newb

I am scared of having something like that after all the hard work and hard earned money put in. I dont want that.

I dream of a peaceful all year round interest garden but not just green and white looking exactly same all year round.

nutcutlet

I'm no garden designer but there are some forum members that are very good. If you can post a pic or two of your garden, indicate which direction it faces and say what the soil is like I'm sure you'll get lots of suggestions.

Newb

Here are two photos showing right and left borders. The far end has trees. This summer i planted mostly annuals on ground as a start. I do have many shrubs, climbers and perennials growing in pots which i bought as little plants or plugs. Over this year 2016, i learned a bit about how to grow things but i need a lot of help when it comes to plan and design.... 

Garden is southwest facing. I have like 2-3 hrs a week to work in garden as i work in full time job. In summer i can manage to water during the weekdays.  

I want to widen the borders but dont know how much will still look proportional ...

Newb

Overall view from conservatory. 

Last edited: 28 December 2016 17:40:46

nutcutlet

i think you need some shrubs under the trees to make that area balanced, otherwise its like 2 separate things, the flat bit at the bottom and leaves at the top. Fillers-in required to make it look more together.. Nice sized patch you've got there for a city garden.

I'll leave you to the experts now.

Kitty 2

Hi Newb I've been looking at your pics here and seen your clematis thread.

I'm no garden design expert, just offering a few ideas that may help your plan come together.

The hard landscaping parts of your garden are usually the most expensive and long lasting. Getting the framework right initially saves time and money in the long run. Plan any fencing, paths and patio areas carefully.

If you're looking to create a private secluded corner, I think the spot in the top left could work. Some shrubs in the corner, take out part of the lawn where the bump is, lay a brick edging and fill in with some shingle, or a patio circle set (£££). You could fit a little bistro table & chairs there and have a surrounding border, similar to the photo at the top of the page.

You could continue the border along the path towards the house, losing some lawn but gaining a planting area for low stuff with some taller plants/shrubs in the existing border by the fence. 

Not sure what they are but you already have two large shrubs on the left. Someone posted pics of clematis growing through shrubs this year, it was a very effective look. It may have been "mad penguin"?

Newb

thank you kitty and nutcutlet. shrubs near tree is a good idea. Thank you.

i have got plenty of plants, as i started with getting all the plants i liked by looking at orher people's garden and online And i did get carried away. Anyway i dont need to plant them all. 

i need help with how much area should i plant and how much should i leave open so it looks pleasant and not Over the top.

will it be ok if i create another border next to path? Shall i widen the border on right and how much? Shall i change lawn to circle shape and plant all around it? 

Sorry i didnt mention that there is a patio near conservatory.  Here is another photo. 

Posy

I think you should get some squared paper and draw out plans that you can develop and compare. You don't have to choose specific plants, just have an idea of structure/colour/season of interest/amount of care needed. Look at other people's gardens, pictures in books and magazines, online, and think about what works for you. I bet the person who made the garden in your first photo was as pleased as Punch and very proud of his splendid bedding display. The rule is that if YOU are happy, it's a good garden, no matter what anyone else thinks.

My priority would be to change the flowers-in-the-middle-grass-round-the-edge look, but that's just me....