Basic beginner plan for garden

[HansChristianSolo]

Picture 1 is my existing (new) garden, a basic rectangle, north east facing but still gets a fair bit of sun.

Picture 2 is what I am thinking of aiming to do. Property is rented but through a HA and as it is an adapted property (for DD), I think we will be here for a good few years.

Can anyone critique my plan please, and give me any ideas re plants? The diagonal area in the corner will be the seated area as it gets the most sun (but still slightly shaded which works well for us!) with hopefully a pergola to walk through to get to it. Other than that, I only know I would like hydrangeas and blue grass to add colour.

1, 2 and 3 are flower beds, yes?

That's an awful lot of flower bed to fill, and you will spend a huge amount of time weeding and looking after it. Might I suggest you enlarge the grass and reduce bed 1, and perhaps plant an ornamental tree (crab apple or similar in bed 2 and grass the rest of it. You can then have bed 3 however you like, perhaps with stepping stones through it to make access easier for weeding etc.

What about a washing line, a shed, somewhere for bins and outdoor toys etc?

Thanks @yamadori yes I fear I was maybe trying to run before I can walk!

The existing washing line goes down the path in the middle, then diagonal across back to the house. Bins are near to the house (there is a wheelchair ramp running alongside the shrub area with a little area for bins there). Two brick outhouses between the house and the shrub area as well, so I dont need any extra shed space I dont think. I was thinking of a summer house in a year or two, but not sure yet.

I really like your thinking of an ornamental tree for bed 2, I had a cherry blossom tree in my last house and really miss the garden having some height.

Have you thought about a raised bed made with sleepers, it could be planted with scented flowers and herbs, alpines and things like that, that can then be admired at eye level by someone in a wheelchair. A couple of really large barrel-sized planters could work too.

Avoid gravel or slate chippings, they are a nightmare to push a wheelchair over, and they get in the grass anyway and damage the lawnmower blades.

I'd suggest more grass than flower bed to start with, as you can always increase the size of the beds over time as the original ones fill up.

If you Google 'wheelchair sensory garden' and look at images, there are loads of brilliant ideas to take inspiration from.