I have a large area in the middle of my front yard that I want to cover with plants, cottage style. Its an odd shape that is about 22' wide at the base and tapers to about 10' wide. The length is about 21'. I've attached a picture showing the area on our property survey.
Would it look bad to just fill the area with my favorite "cottage-y" plants? Should I try to break up the space? If so, how? All advice is welcome!
Here's an actual photo of the area.
Looks like fun. If you mean you are going to take out the grass and plant the whole area the only suggestion I have is to make sure you put in a path of step stones so you can reach all the plants from all sides to weed, deadhead and stake or whatever else you need to do for care of the plants. This will keep a space open to walk without compressing the soil. An "s" shape from half way down the path to the street across to the drive might be all you need. Good luck with your project.
Great idea, exactly what I'd do with the space! Ditto on ngam's suggestion :-) ....I learned the hard way, LOL.
I think that is a great spot for a huge flower garden It will be so pretty. Send pictures of your progress, please. I love to see a beautiful garden evolve. Through ups and downs.
Pam
Oh, please post progress pictures!!! I'd put a focal point in the wider "half" such as a birdbath or little wrought iron bench, with stuff getting taller as it goes away from the focal point. What about an A-frame at the narrow end?
Ooh, a blank canvas! :-)
It's definitely a good idea to think in terms of breaking up that expanse a little. Incorporate a bench, maybe a birdbath or a fountain... even a little pond...
If you read about designing raised beds, they advise making them only 4 or 5 feet wide, so you can reach in to the center... so it's a good idea to think in terms of being able to easily reach everything from a path or a stepping stone. Mark out where your major paths will be, and then place a few stepping stones (or even just stick markers in) in other areas while you're planting... that way, you won't find yourself with a nicely planted bed and no place to put a handy stepping stone.
Also think about the main "bones" of this area... what do you want for visual impact? A hedge of lavender along the driveway? A lovely weeping mound of Japanese maple or evergreen at the corner of the driveway and front walk? I'd put a taller element or two in there somewhere, but probably not right up against the front walk... trees have a way of growing wider than you expect them to, and I think it keeps an "open" feel to have shorter plants near walkways.
I pulled your drawing into paint shop for a moment, just to give you one idea of how this could go... It starts taking shape in your imagination when you start drawing designs on paper... at least that's how it works for me!
You're a zone south of me, but just to let you know, I've had incredible luck with Blush Knockout if you're looking for a good shrub/hedge rose. That little fellow will not stop blooming! It's already started this year, and such a beautiful color.
Edited to add: don't forget my favorite climbing rose: Zephirine Drouhin. I have 2 on a north wall and one on an east, and I just love them. Incredible fragrance, and shade doesn't bother them a bit.
This message was edited Mar 7, 2008 9:35 AM
no space is ever to big for a bed. paths are the best way to solve any size issue as stated before. I wish i was able to say "is this area to big for a gardeb bed"? Someday!
Nice! And I agree with what has been said! :)
passiflora07, I for one never think a garden bed is too large, I have one that I added to this year that looks to be about three times the size of the one you pictured long and it is probably about as wide as yours is long, never thought that much about height so I'm really enjoying this thread, glad you started it! I have an old headboard and foot board to an antique bed that I can't use anymore and was thinking about trying to get my neighbor to make a bench out of it and the sugestions here to put a bench in that area sounds like a great idea now I need to look for some taller plants :)
My bed is that large because I'm going for the 'no grass' thing :)
every spring my lawn gets smaller and my beds get bigger.
What a dream... all garden, no grass...
My front garden is about 14 x 23. I have a little path winding through it to an area where I bricked enough of the ground to put a wrought iron bench, table, and chair (fairly small pieces, but remarkably comfortable. The front part is all rose bushes. When it fills in (I just started it less than 2 years ago) it SHOULD be gorgeous. I'll post pictures when and if...
Hey Brididlily, a reminder we want to see those pictures when the time is right!
Passiflora, do you have pics to share?
Yeah, Passi, any progress?
Mine is looking very dowdy right now due to this winter thing. I will be pruning them very soon -- it's been difficult because we've had such a stupid winter. It gets REALLY cold but only for a day or two. Then you could wear shorts, but only for a day or two. The plants don't know whether to go dormant or not. Lemon balm is coming up everywhere; I think it will be my "filler" around the roses. Once it's been tidied I'll post a picture, and then when it's full and blooming (I hope I hope I hope) I'll post another!
Ah! I can't believe I've been stewing on this since March! I haven't done anything yet because I still cannot decide what to put there. It looks the same as in the first picture. Sad, huh? I was thinking of planting a lemon tree or a lemon tree and one other citrus/fruit tree. I wish I had better news (and pics)!!
When in doubt, I always plop in annuals - that way I can judge the size/shape/color without putting my heart into a perennial. We took the grass out of our front yard last year and turned it into a cottage garden - with a "T" path so we could get to everything. We put in some sunflowers, a castor bean, some mexican sunflowers and some other short annuals. The sunflowers and castor bean have height and color but are annuals here so we could judge what would work and what wouldn't. First thing we learned - move them further away from the paths - LOL!
If you're afraid of height but want something that will take up a bit of space, perhaps a jasmine, or firecracker bush? (I used to live in Florida) You could also put in a trellis for a climber, and stick a bench underneath the trellis....
By the way, in answer to your original question (can a flower bed be too big) -- NO!
OH! You're entirely correct brigidlily!! I think the only thing that might make it too big is if it's too big for one person to keep up with over the years.....but then again, there's always hired help, isn't there?
True -- but probably none of us has to worry about Buckingham Palace scale gardens! And I figure, if you have THAT much, you can afford the help!
I'm glad you have the car there for scale - that plot is definitely not too big. I'd fill it to overflowing with C.G. plants if it were mine!
Well, I've decided that I want to redo the paths in the front now, so I'm going to have to wait on planting stuff there. I want to redesign the paths to look like this picture. I think it will be easier to design a garden around these paths. The ones I have now just look rigid and out of place to me. What do you think?
I like it! I know you're probably familiar with that old saying "There's no such thing as a straight line in nature" or something like that (I always butcher that quote) but I think making the pathways more fluid will really echo the plants quite well, and give it a more natural feel.
Straight is practical but to my way of thinking is never as pretty. I LIKE your new plan!
Thank you! Yes, I'm very much looking forward to the sidewalk remod :) I've been stewing over what to plant here for so long then I finally realized that nothing I plant will change the ugly sidewalk layout...its just awkward. I'm considering doing flagstone for the new paths...I will be sure to post updates as they come up!
I forgot to say that we're also going to rip out the chain link fence in front and put in a wooden picket fence. I think it will make a huge difference - I am so excited!
I hate chain link! I did find that if you are FORCED to live with it, interweaving a white vinyl thru it in a lattice pattern improves the looks.
I can't wait to see your pictures!
I think you'll LOVE having a different fence there, and am betting it really inspires you!
It really does! I can picture it really clearly in my head! Our house looks somewhat cottage-y, so I think the picket fence will really add a lot to the overall style.
I'm really taking my time planning out this spot because its about the only "full sun" area on our property (other than a spot in the backyard where my veggie garden is). There are so many cool full-sun plants that I want to really make sure I'm picking the ones I like the most!
I don't think a flower bed can be too large. I usually start planting, then add flagstones where I find I need a pathway. Many of the best designs are after I have planted and I see what plants do well, which ones I need to have a path to etc. I have, on occasion drawn out a plan before hand, but nature takes over and the design is better for me if it evolves.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/quiltdiva/collections/72157604117264555/
