Over the space of this month I’m going to give you some Design ideas for types of gardens you may want to consider when designing your garden.
You are looking to create a Garden that is safe for your kids and pets but somewhere you can relax and entertain with friends.growing guide and its use in cooking.
Look for:
- A nice size patio and Lawn area for general play and relaxation
- Maybe a small protected area for a kitchen garden
- An attractive layout is a must as you want this to contain something for all the family
- A secure storage area for all your tools and garden materials
- A no-risk, self-contained water feature (great for wildlife)
- Easy maintenance (everyone loves a bit of this)
- You want to be able to easily supervise your children from indoors
- A separate play area for the children but also somewhere you can keep any eye on them (eyes in the back of your head as my parents use to say)
- A bit of year-round interest provided by family friendly planting (as I say the garden is another room in the house and needs connecting)
Water Feature
Water feature you link to being dangerous for children and you are right to but you can overcome this by containing most of the water in an underground tank or sump that acts as a reservoir. Above the tank place a framework of steel rods or mesh to hold the chosen feature, conceal the pump in the water so it pumps it around the feature falling back into the sump/tank. Top the steel mesh with cobble stones and plant accordingly.
It does not have to be grand.
Entertaining Area
I love a good get together with family and friends on a warm summer’s day. (not that we get many in Wales), but this year has been a little odd and produced some cracking days of hot weather so we cannot grumble.
You want to look at positioning the patio area close to the house so its easier to transport food and drinks, it’s got to be practical as well as enjoyed.
Plant some fragrant plants nearby, you could put them in beds or even carefully selected containers, this will give you and your family something to enjoy whilst sitting enjoying that glass of wine and listening to nature.
Ideal Plants
All the plants should be child and animal friendly with good durability and be resistance to accidental damage (yep footballs and children, although pets do love a good dig)
Hydrangea ‘Preziosa’
Pink mophead flowers that turn burgundy in Autumn, its deciduous so loses all its leaves in Autumn and has fresh new foliage in spring
Jasminum officinale f. affine
Clusters of fragrant, pink-tingled white flowers 4cm across from May till September
Geranium sanguineum (bloody cranesbill)
County flower of Northumberland, herbaceous perennial plant that puts on an eye-catching display of large, bright, magenta pink cup like flowers up to an inch and a half wide. Spreads so great for borders and ground cover.
A little insight to what we see in our world whilst planning our clients garden.
Enjoy more coming up.