garden seating area thoughts (with pic)

[myladygarden]

We’re giving our small garden an overhaul and turning a once unused corner behind an old shed into an outdoor entertaining space. The corner shown is where our dining table and chairs will be going and DH & I can’t agree/decide whether to lower the raised beds & make that bench seating (with some sort of top plus cushion pads) or just plant them and put table and chairs on the patio that is being laid next week.

If we go down the planting route (which would be much easier!) any suggestions where to start? I’d happily just do a whole corner of lavender but conscious that might be a bee magnet which won’t make be much fun when we’re eating. It gets afternoon sun and the beds have just had weeds until recently so will need some TLC before any planting happens. If we convert it to seating, do you think we could keep a corner section and add a small plant to soften it a bit? I’m sure a garden designer would be a good idea but minimal budget so it’s a DIY project!

I’d leave as planters and put in scented climbers on training wires. Jasmine would be lovely.

I would definitely plant it up rather than make into seating.

I would plant roses for colour all summer with perennials such as geranium in between. You could also have a couple of hanging baskets for more colour and cheer. It could look really lovely.

Climbing roses, lots of spring flowering bulbs then scented nemesias, antirrhinums, summer bedding plants.

Bench seating? Against that fabulous wall!? No.

A table and chairs will give you more flexibility.

You want something growing, not just wall (despite how fabulous it is). You need height. You could have espaliered fruit trees, they would love the warmth of a wall.

Agree with planting it up, a table and chairs will be comfier than bench seating in any case.

Hard no to bench seating.

For raised bench go for something easy amd perrnial Google hot lips salvia plant (it comes in several colours we have a nice dark purple ome) that with some verbena through it for height.

If you have more cash i would do a belgian trellis with various climbers and sweet peas

I would definitely plant it up. It could be lovely, and would make the whole area much more appealing. I would put some climbers against the wall, and some scented plants in there. With some strawberries trailing over the edge.

Definitely plant it up and put a table and chairs on the patio, it's much more comfortable and a flexible space and being sat near greenery is lovely.

I would attach some wires to the wall and train jasmine and climbing roses up the wall. You can get thornless climbing roses if you're sat nearby. Rosa Kathleen Harrop or Zephirine Drouhin are both lovely. Then hardy geraniums spilling over the edge of the raised beds as they flower their socks off and some spring bulbs as PP said so you have flowers in Spring before the roses and geraniums start.

I think that you need to think on a grander scale. What about some structure that will provide shelter from the rain shade, that you can attach lighting (do you have electrics to the site?), climbers (roses, wisteria, grapes) or bunting to. Without getting too twee or pub garden about it.

Thanks, that sounds like a resounding vote in my favour .
Some really great ideas - will definitely put some wires up for climbers and like the idea of roses. No idea what the other plants suggested are so off to research!

At this stage, we don't plan on having a pergola or such like - partly money, but also it's the only spot in the garden for afternoon sun and I'm a bit of loath to add shade. We are running electrics down there so can have some decent lights although that may have to come later as we have got some to see us through this summer

Bees are are no problem round an eating area - they have no interest in humans and their food. We have loads of oregano next to our table & chairs and the bees just potter around doing their own thing.

I love the humming sound of the bees at work on the lavender when we eat our dinner on a summer's evening

How about some dwarf buddleia to attract the pollinators - they're nice and compact and shouldn't steal the show by getting too tall.

https://www.pyracantha.co.uk/dwarf-buddleia-butterfly-bushes/

Why don’t you take advantage of the brick wall and espalier some roses or fruit trees? Would be beautiful and give fruit of that’s of interest.

This. I have hundreds of bees at any given time and never had a problem in my eating/seating areas outdoors.