| Twenty first edition - January 2003
May I first wish you a Happy New Year..
 I have been asked by Pam and Tony - laterlife readers, to
suggest a layout for a new garden. They will be moving into a new park home this June and
have very definite views about what they want in their new garden. Tony has been very
helpful and has sent me various photographs and sketches of the site (click on image to
see full detail). He quite rightly states that park living is a fast growing lifestyle and
has persuaded me that an article would be of interest to far more people than just him!
Before starting any garden project, the clients should have an idea of the
sort of garden they want and whether or not it needs to be low maintenance. The aspect and
location of the plot should be taken into consideration and finally the budget.
I have ascertained that Pam and Tony want a low maintenance garden without
grass, but with a water feature, an entertaining area, a place to sunbathe and a shady
area. Their main concern is the bund wall at the rear of the plot, which is ten feet high
and, at it`s nearest point, is only ten feet away from the house. The front of the
bungalow faces SSW and the location is on the South coast, half a mile inland.
The plot is small and awkwardly shaped, but the first thing to be done
in any new garden is the hard landscaping: walls, paths, paving and water features.
Finally the planting will be done, which will soften the whole
effect.
 Having been given all the important information, I
found it relatively easy to design an area that gave Pam and Tony all the features they
asked for, within a low maintenance attractive garden, which gives year round
colour.
Three options for camouflaging the bund wall.
Immediately in front of the bund erect 5ft high rigid pre-painted
trellis, to enable climbers such as evergreen clematis Armandii to romp away.
For a natural boundary, attach netting directly on to the bund, for
evergreen climbers to cling to.
Stylish reed or bamboo panels to draw the eyes away from the bund giving
a modern feel.
Having contacted one of the the site Managers about the construction of
the bund they have replied as follows:-
"The bund is now finished. Its
construction is mainly 'Hoggin' with a top layer of compost bags. These can be planted
with anything you like. The Environment Agency have said that their main requirement is
root growth, so we shall be pleased for people to plant the bund with wild flowers etc.,
Ivy's and climbers would certainly grow on it."
The hard landscaping
 I would recommend designing the garden with a view
to possible disabled use in later years. For ease of maintenance there is to be no lawn,
therefore the paving and patio needs to be of differing types, textures, shapes and
colours, of the clients`choice. Gravel areas should be carefully sited so as not to impede
the progress of a wheelchair, or trip an unsteady older person. Surfaces should also be
lightly textured to allow for extra grip in icy conditions.. The boundary to the West of
the plot and the front 20 feet could comprise a combination of walls pillars and trellis
infill and would take advantage of the height allowance of 5 feet for maximum privacy. To
the West side of the house I would have a private sunbathing area, as the boundary walls
will be high enough for privacy at that point and it has a sunny aspect . Ponds and water
features are, in my opinion, romantic notions, the reality of which are sheer hard work. I
have seen few ponds and water features who`s owners have cared for them longer than the
first season. Bearing in mind the brief for a low-maintenance garden, I have therefore
opted for a simple pebble fountain, which is also much safer for any possible visiting
children..
Lighting
An outside security light by the kitchen door would be appropriate for
access in the darker times of year. (These can be a nuisance for some people if the beam
is directed into a neighbour`s bedroom..) For effect whilst entertaining or on summer
evenings, lights could be built into the barbecue/entertaining area, or even into the
paving. There are some very good solar powered lights on the market and local DIY shops
have a vast assortment. It`s easy to overdo the outside lighting - you don`t want an
aircraft mistaking your back garden for a runway!
Planters, seats, barbecue and flower beds
 In the North West corner of the plot I would
recommend an entertainment area consisting of a corner raised flower bed incorporating a
built in barbecue area. The low walls could be used for extra seating with cushion pads.
Paths should be curving rather than dead straight and an arbour or small gazebo on the
West boundary would provide added interest and shade. Natural shade would be provided by
the bungalow and a seat could be placed in the area by the French doors. A couple of
comfortable wooden seats, strategically placed, will add to the homeliness of the garden.
Dot a few really nice pots and tubs around, more for decoration and bedding plants than
for permanent planting (which would require too much watering in the summer months.) The
use of groups of large stones or pebbles will add another dimension to the garden.
If steps down to the garden are required, I would recommend putting hand rails either side
of them, for safety purposes.
The planting
A small garden doesn`t necessarily require small plants. Often large
plants will give an impression of more space. At home I have a smallish patio area that
has been planted with plants such as tall but delicate clump-forming bamboos, Cordyline
Australis (Australian Cabbage Palms) purple and striped phormiums and Fatsia
Japonica. It looks wonderful...
In the raised flower beds I would use coloured sages, variagated Vibernum
Tinus, hebes, helleborus lividus and some small evergreen scented herbs such as Golden
Marjoram. A small area could be left out of the paving for a Chamomile lawn, which
would give a cool, lush feel to the garden and compensate for the lack of grass. Some gaps
in the paving could be planted with creeping plants to soften the edges.
I would recommend that Pam and Tony, being unfamiliar with plants, go to
their local garden centre to choose these, enlisting the help of the experienced staff.
All plant labels will give the eventual size of the plant, it`s care requirements, habit
and preferred location.
Due to the small nature of all the gardens within the park, trees would
only be planted with much thought given as to eventual size, possible root damage to
underground services, planning permission restrictions and neighbour nuisance.
Keep the e-mails with
your gardening problems coming
Some websites of interest to gardeners:-
www.alantitchmarsh.co.uk
Alan Titchmarsh MBE, TV gardener, writer, broadcaster and thoroughly nice person.
Just a few choice words to describe the peoples` favourite TV gardener. See his
website....
 Thompson and Morgan:
A growing
resource for gardeners worldwide. The site includes the international online seed
catalogues, the young plants catalogue (UK only), the wholesale seeds catalogue, together
with the award winning Germination Times and a host of other useful information.
www.carryongardening.co.uk
 Gardening is an important part of many people's lives. You don't have to
give up gardening because of accident or illness, the onset of disability or the problems
associated with growing older. The information on their website is designed to provide you
with the information to Carry on Gardening.
Carry on
Gardening was initiated by the horticultural charity Thrive
and is funded by the National Lottery Charities
Board. It brings together information on easy ways of gardening gathered over 23
years by Thrive and research carried out since the early 1970s by Mary Marlborough Centre,
Oxford, on tools and equipment for disabled and older people.
www.edenproject.com 
The
living theatre of plants and people
The Eden Project is a gateway into the world of plants and people. A meeting place for
all to discover how we depend on plants and how we can help to manage and conserve them
for our mutual survival.
The founder
of www.maple-landscapes.com
is my eldest son.. give him a call if you live in the Leicester area of the UK and have
need of his services..
Good reading:-
"The Yellow Book" contains information of
all Gardens of England and Wales open for charity, and can be bought priced £5 from
National Gardens Scheme www.ngs.org.uk
National Trust Gardens Handbook is £6.99 and
the new edition is out in May Telephone 01394 389 950 or see their website www.nationaltrust.org.uk
RHS Garden Finder is £12.99 from Dorling
Kindersley www.dk.com
Have a look at previous
editions of Gardener`s Diary
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