What shall i do with overgrown area of garden? Please advise.

[krisskross]

Hello
we moved into our house about 5 years ago and inherited a lovely 80 foot long fairly narrow garden. It has a standard layout- flowerbeds straight down on either side and a rectangular lawn in the middle. It has some really nice mature shrubs and is generally well kept.

However, the last 15 feet are a bit of a wilderness. There us a huge quite overgrown viburnum on one side before you enter the wilderness and a pretty overgrown pyracantha on the other, leaving a small gap in the middle to walk through- then you get to the overgrown area.

There is a shed base and we have chosen a shed to go on it. But I am really troubled by what to do with the rest. The whole are is maybe 15feet by 20 feet- 2/5 of that is shed base with a manky concrete path in middle. I was planning to have it cleared, the viburnum and pyracantha cut back and lay a memebrane with wood chip on top for all the DC toys. However, I am not set on this and think it will look a bit sterile. But grass might struggle to grow as we have holly trees behind the fence approx 60 feet high so its quite shady. Also, I really like the nature attracting aspect of it being quite overgrown- but we need an area for the childrens stuff etc.

Please advice- at the moment we are wasting the space . WWYD? Links to pics would be great!

We have an area like this at the far end of our garden. We now have the kids climbing frame and swings, with fruit tree beds that the kids love to look after (and munch on while playing). They also sow wild seeds each spring so, although it is still grass, it becomes more of a wild flower meadow in the summer so only really mow at the beginning and end of the summer.
We love the idea of a more formal garden and seating area, and a patch the kids can control (have to admit I very rarely even venture up there and it can't be seen from the house)

I think I'd leave the viburnum and pyracantha, maybe give them a little trim, and have the sort of shed that's more of a playhouse/gazebo. It sounds like a nice, very private space.

thank you both.

Drivin- does the grass not become a bit of a quagmire with the childrens stuff on top of it?

Yes Heath it is and thats what i dont want to lose, but also want to use the space. If we put couple inches topsoil over the small path, will grass seed grow? thanks

Well, turf isn't very deep, but I think I'd be worried about the grass getting enough water. Could you 'top' the path with something nicer looking? The kids might like the path to ride on with bikes etc.

We have one smallish area in an out of the way spot that's quite similar. We covered it with weed suppressing membrane & put wood bark on top. It actually doesn't look sterile at all now as lots of things have self seeded in the wood chippings, so it's colourful with aquilegias, geraniums, poppies etc, none of which I ever planted there.
The children could keep their things there still.

That sounds really pretty.

Could you have the overgrown area as a private retreat then, for a bit of peace and quiet or a nice shady area in a hot summer? (not this year!)

if you would like a free garden rough plan, let me know. may be able to help give you some ideas. Will need some details in order to help you. eg. direction garden faces, soil type, wheres the sun in the morning, suggestion on low maintenance plants to use. let me knbow if interested.

thanks for your responses everyone, i find it so hard to make a desicion!
meconopsis thats so kind of you! i think a rough plan would be a great help, as am not very creative and not sure where to start. will be in touch. THANKS!!!