Garden Problems... And This Is How They Solved! Part 3

Here are some problems that usually happen on garden's construction... and this is how they solved:

14. A line of 6m/20ft conifers at the end of the garden growing in the adjoining garden
A bold structure that mimicked a gateway was created, along with a pergola. Both were painted white to draw the eye away from the conifers.

White gate at the end of the garden

15. The owner wanted to be able to look out on the garden from the top window of the house and see precise geometric patterns
Using a wide range of hard surface materials plus grass.
16. The short length of the garden
An impression of length was achieved by narrowing lines as they reached the boundary.

Beautiful shoe horse shape garden

17. Old basic concrete paving slabs were to be retained
Brick edging and the instruction of other materials leads the paving slabs to become part of a wider scheme of defined shapes.
18. Ugly views of concrete garages at the end of the garden
Raised beds and tall planting hide the views. Climbers act as a decorative screen.

Mediterranean garage and shed

19. The garden's long and narrow shape
Each separate section provided a hint of what lay beyond - a trip down the garden was a journey of discovery.

Beautiful narrow garden

20. A new conservatory and a terrace with paving need to be considered in the choice of materials
The geometric paving prevented curves being used and so the designer used straight lines for paths and created a triangular pond, which were more in keeping with the overall design.

Garden Problems... And This Is How They Solved! Part 2

Here are some problems that usually happen on garden's construction... and this is how they solved:

7. An unattractive view of a huge area of a neighbor's wall
The pergola over the sitting area was constructed to hide some of the wall and rising the terrace also helped.

Pergola over the sitting area

8. Want to have a water feature but was concerned about the safety of the baby or little children
A raised brick edge water feature with a shallow layer of of pebbles and a low geyser could be constructed. The height makes it safe for small children.

Brick edge pond

9. A downward slope from the end of the garden towards the house
A raised patio was formed above the slope.

10. An ugly fence at the end of the garden
Raised beds in front of the fence hide it and also easy to maintain.

Raised beds in front of the fence

11. The shape of the rectangular are of paving next to the house is harsh
The terrace was curved to improve the shape, creating a path between the house and the shed.

12. A large tree from next door over hangs the bottom of the garden
A summer house was placed in this area as little would grow in this light.

Summer house under the tree

13. A side alley with uninteresting views of the neighboring houses
Two wide wire arches were planted with the climbers clematis sweet pea and a trachelospermum to conceal the view.  


 

Garden Problems... And This Is How They Solved! Part 1

Here are some problems that usually happen on garden's construction... and this is how they solved:

1. The site is very windy
In a wildlife garden hedge layer and a wide boundary of mixed native hedge plants are needed. Once they grow, the hedge will provide wind protection and act as a mini-woodland for wildlife.

Holly Leaf Cherry (Prunus ilicifolia), a native plant in Santa Barbara

2. The garden was open and overlock
Bamboo and hazel wattle hurdles provided an instant screen. Trees were planted to create seclusion for the future.

Hazel Fence Hurdles

3. Natural drainage from the surrounding gardens ends up in a lower area of the garden
A pond and bog garden was formed in here.

Bog at the center of the garden

4. The soil is poor
An advantage in a wildlife garden as the soil is most suited to delicate species which may otherwise be smothered by tougher plants, which are of less benefit to insect.

5. Rubble in the center of the garden
This rubble utilized for hardcore, created a base for the brick terrace.

Rubble place becoming interesting sitting area

6. The garden wasn't only small, but also flat and uninteresting
A design created to include a range of levels which would give the space more interesting contours.

Garden Design

Our garden design for a private home in Bandung Indonesia

Grass is the most practical of ground covers. It is versatile and an ideal surface for sunning towels, running toddlers, practising golf and it provides a verdant outdoor carpet as a respite from tropical bushies. Coconut groves, front lawns and golf courses are three great cultural icons of the garden world.

Small areas of grass forced onto a landscape design can, however, look marginalized. Make sure when deciding on grass that you are choosing the right type - whether cow grass, manila grass, tufty japanese grass or couch - for the particular soil and sunlight conditions.

If you should decide to go with a ground cover plant in a courtyard, instead of grass, make sure that you know its growth cycle. The main purpose of ground covers is to hide the soil. Balding and patchy growth is unsightly. Many of the more attractive ground covers - like coleus, wedelia, creeping fern and portulaca - need seasonal planting or cutting back.

In large gardens, one can create great blocks of instant color with the clever use of colorful ground covers; for example, white cacti golden scindapsus, plum-coloured rhoeo, smokey silver bromeliads or glossy lime-green wedelia. In smaller courtyard spaces one can add mixes of ground covers, creating charming miniature gardens in the corners of the courtyards space, or at the "ankle" of shade trees and shrubs.

Our garden design using waterfall and pottery

With ground covers, choosing the right "bits and pieces", or carpets of colour, is the penultimate touch in a garden's design. It should be executed after the placement of the hardscape elements, the artworks and the lighting, and before the draping of softscape orchids and vines. 

Our garden design using stone waterfall and pottery