Help designing triangular garden

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Paul12345 Swindon, United Kingdom Nov 02, 2014

Hello All, I need some inspiration and advice. Total newbie here!

I have a small 'right-angled' triangular shaped garden. The longest length has 5 fence panels. I am at a loss what to do with it. I want to make it a relaxing area for adults and children. Looking out of the garden, the sun tends to come up from the east at the end of the garden and goes towards south during the day.

At the end of the garden we have a small tree (it flowers pretty much only for about a month with pink petals around September time, but I do not know what type of tree it is). I do not know what to do with the space. I am not a gardener nor a designer so I hope someone can you give me suggestions on what would work and what would grow well in the rainy and cloudy English weather?

I need it to be cheap to create and be low maintenance but must have grass in the middle so children can play in the summer. If I'm honest I do not really like flowers unless they useful such as being edible I like the idea of going into the garden and grabbing herbs when we need them for cooking. I suppose I don't mind having a couple of non-edible flowers/shrubs though but I would like them to be something special that people will be naturally drawn to. I kind of like the Japanese garden style where a flower is individually planted amongst stones.

I will need to have access to a washing line close to the house and also I have electric available at all parts of the garden for lighting.

So, my question, what kind of layout would you recommend bearing in mind the sun, where would you place things and how. What would be suitable to plant and what is the best way to light the garden at night?

Many thanks for your time.
Paul

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Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) Nov 02, 2014

Here are some generalities, perhaps a place to start.

1) Low maintenance:
If mowing a lawn once a week is low maintenance to you, would you also be willing to prune some things once in a while? A couple of plants this week, maybe a few more next week... but if you get busy it is OK if they are done week after?

2) Less weeding is probably high on your list. Mulch, any sort of chips, to cover the soil will reduce the weeds. Stone works, too, if you like that look.

3) Low maintenance is also planting the right plant in the right spot. If the area is 4' across do not plant something that grows to 6-8' across.

4) Many edible herbs need good drainage, and are often grown in containers in wet climates.
Containers or raised beds can be easier to maintain. You can also buy or build combination planter boxes with benches for seating.

Can you please draw out the area, measured carefully, and indicate existing features (tree, windows, fence) and a north arrow? Then post it here so we can get a better feel for the area?
Some pictures would really help, too.

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