Looking for some inspiration

This used to be one of my rabbit runs ( no longer used as such ). I don't really know what to do with it. I know I want to keep the umbellicas as very pretty. It measures 8 metres long x just over 4 metres wide and the top end gets sunlight for around 5 - 6 hours a day.

It occurred to me to put a pond in there, but the soil depth is only around 10-12 inches. I could have a raised pond maybe, something similar to the one @Gizmo has. Might be hugely expensive though and, as my DIY skills are limited, I don't think I could make one ( not without help, that is ).

Your thoughts would be appreciated

 

What do you want with the space Lucius ? somewhere to sit - wildlife area - ornamental planting - fruit /veg patch ?

 

As I mentioned I wanted a pond in there, but can't see how this will be possible without spending lots of money. Definitely want to keep the wildlife friendly theme that runs through the gardens. I will probably keep the chairs, although will only sit there occasionally. Not sure what to do with the bath either, fill it with plants or turn it into a mini pond, ( probably too shallow for pond ). I don't have a clear idea about how this space could look, hence seeking ideas here.

 

The first thing I'd do is get rid of the bath, then clear a strip of earth round the fencing to grow climbers up. Annuals like Morning Glory and Cobaea, Sweet peas, Eccremocarpus, Thunbergia etc.. Or with a bit of soil improvement, clematis and roses. Some species clematis like rehderiana are scented and more subtle than the large-flowered hybrids (and more wildlife-friendly).

 

The bath could be moved to another area,but I'm not sure where it should be yet. The climbers are a great idea . The back area of the space is in shade a lot, so I would need appropriate climbers for that.

 

I'm always one for repurposing where possible, couldn't you use your bath for the pond? I don't know how wild you want to go, verbena bonariensis and agastache have been great plants for me.

 

Oooo what a nice project for the summer

How about getting a swing seat and make the area a secret sensory retreat? Many people are upgrading their garden furniture so you might find an old swing seat second hand to spruce up.

A pond-in-a barrel would fit in well, I had one in a bucket and the birds loved it and bees enjoyed the wet rocks. It was too small so the solar powered spray didn't hit the bucket too well (the spray got about 40cm high when the panel was in full sun) so this summer I dug a real one- but the idea was quite good and the sound of water very pleasant near my bench.




For planting in the shallow soil, perennial herbs could work very well. Creeping Thyme makes a lovely ground cover and is very easy to grow from seed. Rosemary, Chives, Lavender and other perennial ones would bring some variety.

Walking over creeping Thyme is a wonderful experience

 

These pics are part of my front garden. As you can see it is wild . I did consider the bath as a mini pond but think it might be too shallow. I have a small preformed pond in front garden that is 16 inches deep and it has permanent algae ( lots of it ) , although the snails and diving beetles like it.

 

I'll take some pics later of the rest of the side garden. It is similar to the front garden. I think I want to keep the continuity with the old rabbit run as regards flowers and grass. I think, still not entirely sure . Also, like the idea of the corner bath filled with the same flowers that are in the rest of the side garden, geraniums, penstemons, geums, toadflax, margarite daisies. I have a full size bath out front that could be turned into a mini pond. It's fibreglass, so easy to move.

@Selleri I love your pic . Your garden sounds like it is a wonderful place to be . Do you have any more pics ?? Like the idea of a swing seat, had a quick look on ebay, freecycle, but nothing close enough to us at the moment.

 

glad we gave you some inspiration this is our pond at the moment cost so far £500 still work to be done ..

 

Gizmo - I like the range of aquatic plants. At the moment I only have a couple of water lily and a floating basket with a couple of plants - I can't remember their names. Did you purchase a 'set' of aquatic plants - or did you choose them individually?

 

we went to waterside nursery and went for this sort of thing ..
Planting Schemes for Pond, Wet or Moist areas | Waterside Nursery

and went went to bakker for some plants
Pond plants

 

IMHO you can't beat the sound of running water in a garden . I used a wooden frame and pond liner to form my pond - so it was really cheap. The liner drapes over the timber frame so gives extra height. I put another timber frame around the pond frame - which can be either filled with compost and planted up - or filled with gravel to keep tidy. This way, you can make any size pond you want.

Enough of me blathering on, here's some photo's - you can see that one side is gravel - because it is difficult to tend plants on that side:

 

I forgot to mention - my pond is on a slope. One end of the pond frame sticks up further out of the ground - so the water level looks right.

 

it's coming along nicely Gizmo . Be proud other you've achieved and single handed, too. Well done .