Help with new small garden please

[Travelcrazy]

We are moving to this house but we have had to compromise by having a much smaller garden than we are used to, I am keen to transform it but lack ideas.
So far I am thinking of putting our garden sofas near to the conservatory under the pagoda and then our 6 seater table and chairs elsewhere, maybe build a patio in the far corner near the taller trees and then putting some sort of curvy path to it with lots of planting each side of the path? Any ideas would be really welcomed it is south facing.
We entertain a lot so want to make the best of it for sitting out. Also would like it more private if anyone can help please?
We have a lot of large tubs and hanging baskets too that we would like to keep.
............I think we may be buying the wrong house!! 😅😅
I have tried Chat GPT and it was no help.

What are the dimensions of the garden, and what is your budget?

I will have to ask DH later what the dimensions are because I am useless with that. As for budget I don't really have one because I will spend what I need to (within reason) if it will make it a garden I can love.
Thanks for the reply @Echomama

I think the garden looks lovely and all the basics are there already barring the patio in the far corner. Are you getting rid of the tool shed ? That doesn’t look right where it is. Can it be tucked down the side of the house, out of sight? Making a border on the left side with some fast growing shrubs shouldn’t be too difficult depending on where the sun hits your garden during the day. Very maintainable, looks like a good house & garden to buy !

Thanks for the reply @27pilates yes I will move the shed I think to the other side of the house. They have planted it really well but it is too plain for my taste and I want it to be a lot more interesting.

Hard to recommend without knowing what's more interesting to you and your time/ expertise etc. Which way is N/ S etc.
Have to admit I'd be ripping a lot of the shrubs out as they're already big enough to be out of proportion with the garden.

So my immediate thoughts when I saw the garden is that it's just a boring square. There are some lovely well established shrubs along the border which I'd personally keep.
This is the sort of thing I was imagining I'd so to it if it were mine (and hosted)
If you want your comfy seating just outside (assuming you use this more than the dining table) you can add some of your hanging baskets and planters to cosy the space

I'd extend the bedding area along the right hand so that it curves more to bring your eye and natural want to wander around to a patio/decking area in the bottom left/middle depending on how large you need it, area of the garden
Another pergoda similar to the one above your current patio would be nice, plus would add a little privacy and potential for some sort of string lighting for evening meals
I'd add some tall planters with something like bamboo in them to add a screen around the pergoda for a more "modern" look, something like this https://pin.it/1XRuIAgC9
Or if you're in for a more country cottage look, you could do wooden trellises with climbers like passionfruit, clematis, the usual suspects for climbers https://pin.it/5iYpzlKz3
I'd have some sort of water feature in the front of those windows, and again depending on your style something like https://pin.it/7Lv8Dwjv4 with more shrubs and planting around it
Or https://pin.it/4I4Ws38M6 -this would also allow you to use up some of your planters mixed in with natural rocks and wood
I'd have a curving step stone path, you could have it following the pond and lead you to your eating area. This also allows you to have some grassy area left but without it just being there with not much structure or use.
In all your extended bedding area for the more "modern" I'd go for more grasses like this sort of look https://pin.it/3rahtGhIH
Or for a softer look something more like https://pin.it/6A1CVVg9I with lots more colour and filler.
Hope this helps inspire!

This is what I’ve got from Chat GPT using your original photos.

F

Whereabouts are you in the country and what is the cardinal orientation of your garden?

If you are in a sheltered area and you get a lot of sun, you could easily create a tropical garden that will have a real wow factor. Think hardy palms, bananas, cannas, ferns, colocasia, and climbing plants like star jasmine, morning glories, passion flower and clematis. Then once the structure is in place, add flowers like dahlias, crocosmia, trycirtis, hedychiums, or anything really - I also have lots of salvias, verbena bonariensis, nicotianas, zinnias and they all blend together.

I started my tropical style garden in spring 2023 and it has totally come into its own this year. We also entertain a lot and I get lots of compliments (and questions!) about it.

You can look for inspiration on YouTube, the channels of George’s Jungle Garden (he’s in Lincolnshire), Yorkshire Kris and Craig from Grow Paradise are all informative (though George waffles on a bit - but I’ve learned a lot from him). Or come over to the MN jungle garden thread, we’re very friendly ☺️🌴

@Echomamathanks so much for the detailed reply that is exactly the look that appeals to me! I will definitely be using a lot of your ideas. @KoulibiakI was reading some of the posts on the jungle garden thread already and considering going down that route, we are in the Midlands. We really like some of the plants suggested.

@Echomamawould we need power for the small pond you showed me?

If you're going for a nature pond, no. But if you want a water feature with a pump possibly, although there are a lot of solar options these days too x

@Echomama brilliant thanks very much for your help I feel so much more positive about the garden now! 😀

Unlike a PP I would definitely keep the shrubs around the edge of the garden for privacy and also to help absorb any noise from other gardens.

@SeaAndStars I definitely will be, thanks