What would you do with this area?

[TiniTempa]

We have a waste area in the garden and would like to know what you experienced gardeners out there would do to it?

Thanks in advance for your ideas!

First of all I would declutter it then you can see exactly what you are dealing with. Get rid of all the old broken bits of furniture that —you— someone has dumped there. Even if you do nothing else it will look better.

What is beyond the end fence? If it’s someone else’s garden then fine, if it is an open space or field I would want to see it so would lower the fence somehow.

What are the trees? They look as though they could be thinned out quite a bit which would let more light into the area. They are tall, you would need a proper tree surgeon to deal with this.

Where does the sun fall, in my garden the last bit of afternoon sun falls at the end so I have made sure it’s a great place to sit . What do you want to do with this part of your garden, use it as a play area, for sitting in, make it a “destination” with something there that makes it special, plant a woodland? Once you decide what you want to do with it then you can start planning what you want there , a deck, a den, a fire pit .........

Obviously (to me!) chickens!! X they will obliterate all weeds!

I'd make it into a shady hideway when I could have a cuppa and read a book in peace.

Ferns, turn it into a woodland glade !

Stumpery with ferns and hostas.

Honestly I’d clean it out for a start. It’s like step toes yard 😃

You need plants that are good in shade due to the tree. Personally I’d consider a rose garden

Are roses good in shade?
There is a field beyond the fence but spoiled by scrap so the trellis shields that.

No, roses don’t thrive in shade. You need several hours of sunshine per day for them to flower.

That’s not true, many suppliers inc David Austin do roses specially for shaded areas.

I dont know if much will grow under trees as the trees take the moisture and the goodness - are the trees worth keeping?
If you got rid of the trees you could plant eg smaller flowering cherry tree, fruit trees, or roses, anything really but you would probably have to work round the tree stumps and roots.

I would tidy and declutter. Keep everything you need in one corner then add one more formal new bed for plants. Not necessarily formal but something that ties it into the rest of your garden . Maybe a bench which again will link it together. I hid my working space and compost bins behind trellis in the least visible spot . If you're a gardener you do need to keep your working area .

Keep the trees as they are established and probably supporting a lot of wildlife. A brick path would nice with ferns either side. A shrub or hedge to the right to get more privacy. A little seating area at the bottom.

Please don't get rid of the trees they are beautiful! I would get some shade loving plants planted and create a woodland style area there. Plants that love areas like this are: Lungwort, Brunnera, Hostas, Forget-Me-Nots, Campions, Ferns, Apine Strawberry's, Japanese Anemones, Lesser Celendine, Wild Garlic, Liriope Muscari, Bluebells, Snowdrops, etc. These are all very nature friendly, bring you some
different colours and textures and bees love them 😊
Add in some bird feeders, hedgehog house, maybe a small wildlife pond (even a container style) and it will be amazing!

Your area has great potential: a hammock, ferns, colourful containers, if you clear it up and give it some love it will get really pretty quickly!

[as aside, it's difficult to find a rose that will thrive in woodland - they are quite thirsty and sun loving plants - even austins need at least 3 hours of direct sunlight per day - says it clearly in the DA website]

From Gardener's world:

www.gardenersworld.com/plants/roses-for-partial-shade/

"Most roses thrive in a sunny position. However, some grow surprisingly well in shady areas, as long as the shade isn’t caused by trees, which take a lot of moisture from the soil. Very few roses can take full shade – bear in mind that the minimum you’ll need to provide is around four hours of sun per day."

I'd say, pace Bluntness 100, we can safely rule out roses for your lovely corner.

If you plant shade loving plants definitely add some horse manure (if you can get hold of it) and compost, possibly even lay a pond liner down with holes in it as it will get rich moist soil for them 😊

Woodland glad. Ferns, hostas, hellebores, fatsia, white hydrangea, lots of spring bulbs.

I really like the space OP . A quick tidy out of broken stuff then a woodland glade as others have suggested . I am very envious .

Monty Don grows climbing roses up old apple trees www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/home/gardening/article-9738119/amp/Rambling-climbing-roses-height-elegance-says-Monty-Don.html

I would try and fail to grow lily of the valley, it does not like me.

Getting rid of the trees releases all their stored carbon. Not saying don’t, just be aware.

Oooh. A shady woodland retreat for sure.

Thin the tress, but don't get rid. Tidy. Get some comfy seating. Underplant with woodland plants:

• sweet woodruff
• wild garlic
• hellebores
• bluebells
• snowdrops
• ferns
• brunnera

Some (neatish) piles of old logs made from the tree offcuts, some piles of stones - all making wildlife habitat. Sit, read, watch the critters doing their crittering.

Bliss!