I do not like my front garden very much. It's boring. It's going to change very soon! Having lived here for three years I find myself in need of a new project and this is it! So it's goodbye weed-infested lawn and the crazy-paving retaining slope, hello gravel garden with architectural planting. The challenge here is the wind and salt - just a few hundred metres from the English Channel and with nothing in between, I need to plan for all that nature can throw at me. I'll keep some of the plants - two forsythias and a tough evergreen viburnum that provides a good windbreak. I'll add further windbreak plants such as Laurus nobilis angustifolia and Baccharis patagonica, then set to with smaller groups of plants that can cope with exposed conditions, such as Phormium tenax, Euonymus japonicus, Yucca recurva and Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'. I can't wait to get going, but will have to wait until the end of term (1st April) to get stuck in to such a large project. In the meantime I can get planning. Here are some snaps of the front garden as it is at the moment...
Hi Martin,seems there are many of us not entirely happy with our front gardens. Must be the Winter months, probably when you look at Summer pictures you realise it looks pretty good.
ReplyDeleteHi Alistair, that's kind of you, but believe me, this is as good as my front garden gets, there's no summer interest either!
ReplyDeleteLovely garden ,be pround ofit, a chance for people living in natuur. Greeting from Belgium
ReplyDeleteThis is the perfect time of year to make and adjust your plans for garden ideas. I think you will enjoy the changes...change is fun!
ReplyDeleteI'll be interested to watch the evolution.
ReplyDeleteHi Martin, I'm explored many times your post and I really like it. Your front garden looks nice and wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI also drop here to let you know that I extended award to you. Just drop by to my blog and collect it when you want. I know you must be very busy, but don't worry, no hurry. Collect it at any time. Thanks.
Wow! Must be wonderful to be so near the famous English Channel! Lovely to have a house on a hill slope like yours, just nice cos its not so high above ground still be able to see the surrounding area at that point. I love your crazy-paving retaining wall!
ReplyDeleteMartin, what's the minimum temperature your front garden gets during winter, any ideas? Also, does the area gets some sun in winter?
ReplyDeleteIf its milder (which usually is in coastal areas) and gets some sun what about incorporating some succulents in your planting scheme? The wind exposure is to their advantage and they are architectural plants. Agaves would look good there :)