We recently moved into a house with a large but long derelict garden. We have finally cleared it back and are about to do some landscaping and are getting ready to start planting up again. I'm a pretty novice gardener (my DH is better than me!) but I realise that time is ticking and that if we don't want to wait until next year there are some things we need to get into the ground now/yesterday. I have an order of bulbs on their way, but also want to plant up some soft fruits and trees.
We were thinking of planting some fanned (or espaliered??) fruit trees (or tree?) along the fence along with some soft fruits. What varieties would you recommend? We have about 15 meters of border - almost a blank slate - but don't want to be overwhelmed with fruit. I'm not a huge pear fan, so apples it is. I like cox, A Lot, but want something I can't get at the supermarket, iykwim. If we were to get two, can anyone recommend any good parings? We want dessert or dual-purpose rather than cookers...
(We will have another 15 m of border on the otherside eventually, it's just that's where the landscaping is happening so don't want to get ahead of ourselves there...)
I also thought I might get some dwarf peaches or nectarines to keep in containers on the patio. Have read maybe peaches do better, so, though my preference is for nectarines, I'm happy to go with them.
So ladies, please, any tips or guidance or varieties you think I might like, please let me know. We are in South London, with a South facing garden, if that makes a difference. TIA!