New build garden

[houserenohelp]

Just moved into a new build with a largish garden, north facing but gets some sun.
I'm after ideas really if anyone has any photos?
It's a bare plot. Luckily not overlooked and has a nice wooden area behind.
I've planted some climbers along one fence and a plum tree :)

So if anyone has a north facing garden or a new build I'm open to ideas :)

I would wait until summer to see how much sun you do get. If it’s new build (not many trees about) you might be quite surprised.

Really new builds just about working with your soil which is likely damaged (compacted/ not draining), or just a pile of shite thrown in by the builders. Both can be quite exciting but you have to figure out what you have.

And to work most on the softening of boundaries. Climbers, shrubs and small trees to try to get some shape back in there unless you prefer the lawn surrounded by a fence look.

Don’t line everything up with the fences. If you’re having a lawn or other open space, set it skew, so the border round the edge is wider in some places than others. If you want a sitting out place, choose the sunniest spot

Give it at least 6 months before making any big decisions. New build gardens are usually (Yours doesnt sound as such) surrounded by other gardens which can effect where and how much drainage is needed. They dont tend to have any preparation from the builder other than to generally flatten them out and turf over (If lucky). The soil is usually compacted by heavy machinery and a lot have had zero preparation so drainage can be an issue.

Giving yourself the 6 months will give you a chance to see how the garden is at the moment. It may puddle in areas due to drainage or gradient. It may have light issues more suitable to certain plants than others.

Basically, take your time, get some ideas and see how it settles. Then build yourself a garden that suits you.

Thanks for replies, we're very lucky we have no puddles in the back garden - driveway is the issue!
When I planted the climbers the soil was easy but further to the end of the garden abit harder to dig but not builders rubble so far.

I have been thinking about a circle design with the patio in the bottom right corner as thats the sunny spot so a winding path from the patio doors / current patio to the back patio with a curved flower bed that side.
Thing is not sure what to make of the left side which is the shadier side as a curved lawn would create a flower bed there and I wouldn't know what ti plant.
We want quite a large area of lawn as we have a big dog who likes to play.
I'm also thinking gravel areas as a cheaper alternative to paving.

I have a glorious magnolia in my north facing (but not new build) garden!

Ah yes my sister did say about getting a magnolia, I will do some hunting. I gt some good bargains from the reduced corner in the garden centre including some nice bamboos and a couple of shrubs

Depends on the type of garden you want, formal, wildlife or a mixture.

We moved into our newbuild just under 1-year ago but already knew how we wanted to soften the edges before starting on the main area (i.e. that closer to the house).
Around the far sides & bottom of the garden we have planted a mixture of bare root wildlife hedging which when established will be squared off (at about 8ft). Copper Beech, Hornbeam, Hawthorn, Alder, Bird Cherry, Blackthorn, Elder & Field Maple.Treewise we have a Red Robin & Midland Hawthorn in the lawn (with room for one more if we can agree!) and in the suntrap corner a Fan Palm.

While that lot is getting established we are going to work on the more formal part and have yet to decide on path layout, raised beds, water feature etc.

I bought this book on the weekend and it's really good:
Garden Design Bible: 40 great off-the-peg designs – Detailed planting plans – Step-by-step projects – Gardens to adapt for your space https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B017RKA7NA?ref=cmmswrrapindpp_V8RMHS655MEW7FCTCRRY

If you live near any garden centres check there so you can have a flick through. It was cheaper in ours than on Amazon.

Shady garden - I have ferns, juniper, winter flowering jasmine, japanese quince (probably dont flower as much as in sun but they do flower), bronze-leaved Ajuga, woodruff, japanese maple, lily of the valley, Rosa Mundi, all within 2m of the N wall of the house. There’s a lot of scope!