Thoughts on what I could do please!?

Hi

I bought a bungalow a couple of years ago and have renovated the inside. Now it is time for the outside. I've attached a few photos so you can get an idea of the area. What the photos don't show is there is a high brick (15-18 feet high) retaining wall at the bottom of the garden, where the fence runs along. I would have liked to terrace the garden further than what it already is but following advice from someone who supplies gabion baskets I have decided not to go this route... could burst the retaining wall apparently!

The top section was particularly overgrown with no structure at all, so I dug it all out, wish I had photos of what it was like before I started. In this top area for this year or so I'm going to use for growing some potatoes, onions and garlic.

The lower section, I haven't got a clue what to do with it, I have removed the odd tree stump here and there are still several biggish ones left which the previous owner cut off very close to the ground. The area is around 65 feet long 10-12 feet wide, the slope from the flags to the fence drops about 3 feet, more at the far (north end).

One part of me thinks just use heaths and heathers but I have no experience of growing them.

I am very much open to ideas but really want it to be low maintenance.

 

Welcome to the forum! As you can see by my location, I have a completely different climate and also am not an experienced gardener however there are plenty of members here who are knowledgeable and will most likely jump in to give you some suggestions.

 

As a compromise, perhaps you could put in some raised beds made from railway sleepers?

And then go for the tropical look?

 

Thanks Lori... as you say quite a different climate!

Sirius, sleepers may be a good idea as they wouldn't be to heavy and yet if put in correctly should hold back certainly a lowish retaining wall. I suppose I may have to think about drainage?

 

Thanks for the welcome and advice, with regard to you comment above, that's what worries me: )

 

If it was me, and assuming it gets a good few hours of sunshire , then I would go for fruit.

The size of the area would stand fair sized trees or smaller cordons etc and it would also be suitable for a large range of berries, all of which are low maintenance compared to grass and flowers, but still allow you to retain an interest in the garden while enjoying a fantastic harvest.

 

Dig in some grit and manure. That should improve the draingage.
The slope will help with that too

 

This is a corner of my garden

 

I want to try and keep away from using trees in the area on the photos for a couple of reasons:

1) The high retaining wall and the risk of root damage. There are trees right up against the wall and behind our fence which are the neighbours behind. I need to have a conversation at some point about them as I'm sure they can't be doing the wall much good.

2) As we are so much higher than the house behind, the ground level at the back door is about the same as the highest point of the roof behind and as a result we have a great view which would be a shame to obscure.

I like the idea of sleepers and have used them to good affect in the past. I would use new sleepers as you have if I am to use them again.... tar when it gets hot! My worry with sleeper is that they will rot and need work doing just when I'm too old to do anything about them: ) but realistically they are probably what I'll end up using.

 

Take a look at this thread rgy99g, it may give you some ideas......

My tiered garden log.

 

I'd go a heavy mass planting mix of winter flowering heathers (which don't require acidic soil and Helianthums (Rock Roses, which aren't actually roses).

In that way you'll have colour all throughout the year and when they've spread over the whole area, absolutely no weeding. Win! Win!



You'll need a load of plants so you'd need to go to a nursery, not a garden centre, and buy in bulk.

 

Pricing. I pay €18 for a tray of 18, 9cm pots of Helianthums and €24 for a tray of 24, 9cm pots of winter flowering Heathers. I'm sure if you search around, you could beat those prices. Go for 9cm pots, plug sizes are TOO small with these plants.

Both these plants are marvellous at suppressing weeds. Heathers, Erica Carnea, etc come in shades of purple and in white. Rock Roses come in shades of red and in yellow. Plant 10" apart to gain maximum ground cover as soon as possible. Both plants will head downhill at first so bear that in mind when planting.