*PICS* Complete novice with a blank slate garden

[plantingandpotting]

I've moved into a new home with a really uninspiring green rectangle for a garden, and I just don't know where to begin.

Help from more experienced gardeners would be very appreciated!

Here's the shopping list:

• I'd hope to mostly screen the back houses (for their privacy as much as ours)
• I'm cautious of planting any larger trees that would overhang into the neighbour's garden
• On the left hand side I'd like to plant anything tall that doesn't need a trellis (so as to add some privacy)

Things to note...
It's south facing.
I'm inexperienced but very committed to maintenance.
I have a toddler so need to keep a bit of space for play gear
Happy to spend a fair amount to get there

I've added a few photos, one as it is now and a couple with my doodled ideas. The shape still feels boring and uninspired - I just don't know how to bring any flair.

Looking amazing @plantingandpotting. I lost this thread last summer but it's lovely to see how it looks now. You're giving me inspiration for my back garden!

It looks beautiful! Completely transformed! ❤️

I LOVE the transformation - your garden is absolutely beautiful now. You must be so pleased that your hard work has paid off so spectacularly.

Did you go for star jasmine on your trellises in the end? May I ask if your posts were already sufficiently tall to accommodate trellises on top, or if you attached post extensions? I'd like to do similar but can't quite work out the mechanics.

Also: what a kind tree surgeon, giving you those stumps! I'd love to source some too for my little ones. They add to the enchanted woodland look.

It looks amazing!

What an amazing transformation!! It looks like a different garden.

I can't believe it's been 2 years - I remember reading your post at the time 🙈

Thanks all! Whenever life gets a bit much I just go out there with a tea and do a lap, seeing what's changed overnight and taking in the sounds. It's become my favourite part of being home.

@kumquattish Extending the fence baffled me too! I ended up buying these post extenders, which you mallet onto your existing uprights. All in all, the materials to extend 8 lengths of standard 1.8m panels cost about £300.

It all looked very patchwork to begin with, but everything married up nicely enough once the clematis began to grow and cover the joins.
I ended up putting a star jasmine at the foot of the arch, it's one of my favourites.
Actually went to buy another yesterday but could only see moderately established ones for £65?!!

Also dug in a new bed over the weekend 😂I'm absolutely determined to chip away at that patch of lawn.
Does anyone else see lawn as a waste of space?

This is beautiful and so inspiring! I’m in year 1 and have started small with one bed where there was nothing but concrete slabs. I planted two little cut-down sticks of climbing roses in late March and they’re already three feet tall and abundantly leafy and one even has buds on! I do wish I’d put in trellis right at the start but I had no idea they’d grow so fast so will have to add some very soon. I keep going out and admiring the bed and seeing what’s surviving and what’s not (hit and miss but the latest batch of newbies are all starting to thrive though the dog is not assisting, he kills an assortment by either trampling or weeing on them) - it’s incredible how fascinating a tiny garden is! I have taken note of the geums - they are lovely! Someone else mentioned salvias too. Later this summer I’m going to have a go at a raised bed.

Does anyone know how to deal with an extremely leggy eucalyptus? I followed the RHS guidelines on trimming a third of the lower branches and some of the midsection for the last 2 years but it's getting so tall and I'm beginning to worry.

Can I just cut straight into that leading main shoot at the top? This tree is only 2 years old and as you can see from the picture it's already incredibly tall. Nearly as tall as mature cherry and magnolia trees nearby.

I would probably remove it. Too nearfence.
Neighbours had one and cut it down to ground - it came back with about 7 stems opening out - but there's is in the middle of the garden and looks amazing.