It started from a neglected weed field..
The grass is about 8 feet deep from the concrete patio to the raised brick bed. I have sowed some grass this spring

But now I feel that maybe I want to start planting stuff where I had established this tiny lawn. But I don't know how to lay it out and keep a good pattern so I can still inspect/view my plants in the raised bed. Do I start making some mounds and do some planting there?

The corner is under a tree and I would like to have a small stone bench of some sort so I can sit in the shade. I would like to have some ornamental grass/tree and rocks, near the bench.

It seems so hard since the space is very limited.. due to the house and shed so close by there will never be a true japanese garden. But I would like to have a corner that is inspired by it.

Here are the pictures of the area.

http://www.sfu.ca/~rhui/house/backyard/DSC01091.JPG

http://www.sfu.ca/~rhui/house/backyard/DSC01338.JPG

http://www.sfu.ca/~rhui/house/backyard/DSC01340.JPG

Any suggestions would be appreciated.. Thanks in advance!

Some initial thoughts;

- You have enclosure and that fence isn't too oppressive and you clearly have a good selection of plants already.

- You have what Alan Tichtmarsh calls a 'centrifuge' garden. All the planting is on the perimeter, the viewer inevitably stands at the centre. Not good.

- The little brick wall is the only defining aspect of your garden and it's pinning you down to the current pattern. If you can bear to consider phasing it out.

- That shady corner would be perfect for a cool drink in the afternoon/evening yes? Consider a seat/paving so you can sit there and enjoy your garden.

- Consider increasing the screening around that corner so it becomes more secluded. Perhaps a stepping stone path will lead you to it. Perhaps that path will need a japanese lantern to guide and light the way?

- You're looking from your shady corner across the garden what do you see? That shed? Consider disguising it with an oriental type frontage or placing strong planting in front of it.

- Just off a two thirds of the way up the grass is where you want one huge stunner of a rock. Something that an acer or fern will look great against. Think big.

- Consider dropping the grass altogether and getting salt'n'pepper gravel (see threads on chicken grit). It will make a huge difference and doesn't need mowing!

Nuff for now, what do you think?

I plan to relocate the shed within the next few years, the fence facing the street will actually be replaced with a new fence, but a few more feet further out giving me more space in my side yard (shed will go there).

But that will take a while so I am starting on one corner first.

I always have a problem with laying rocks on top of my soil, eventually the rock sinks and embedded in the clay soil, which is impossible to get rid off and do digging to put in new plants. Any suggestions?

Getting rid of the brick wall for the bed will be a big commitment, as it goes all the way across even behind the shed. I would do like to keep the same elevation, it is good for the plants, but that corner will be rounded out most likely. Any ideas how and what to establish the new border? Or could it be just a raised mound of dirt?

I suggest that the first thing you decide on is - exactly where in the garden do you want to sit. But don't even think of having a stone bench to sit on - you won't enjoy sitting on it for more than a few short minutes.

Instead get the most comfortable chair you can lay hands on - one that you can take a nap in if you feel like it - and put that there. With a low table next to it for your coffee, tea, book or whatever. Take your time & consider what the view's going to be like from that spot. Place your rocks, shrubs & so on accordingly. Err on the sparse side rather than planting too many.

Herb

It's only meant to turn one of your pictures into a blank slate & perhaps make it easier to imagine an eventual layout.

Ideas, anybody?

Click here

Dont flood the area with stuff, simple is often better... if properly placed.

/henrik

I decided to add a tsukubai and lantern, and the path, and surrounding it I added various plantings, you could use whatever plants you feel comfortable using. And behind the tsukubai, I added a japanese red maple ( the black lines) and on both sides also bushes of bamboo (the vertical black lines). But this area can surely be developed in many other ways depending on the mood u wanna set and what other things teh area can be used for. if u cant add moss at teh path, use grass (slow growing sort). The green on the pic is my lawn, not moss. I surely recommend u vary moss/gravel to balance the scene. Only gravel or only moss can be distracting I think.

good luck!
Henrik

These are good elements to include but place them to make sense. Ideally the path should lead you to your sitting area with the lantern along the way. As you look back the garden should show you it's plants and rocks. Even a small garden can have a 'mind journey'.

Is there any other opinions as to keeping or getting rid of the raised bed (the brick border)? I really like raised bed, the fence is quite old so the raised dirt does help keeping the bed up.

Herb

Click here

I don't like a log border but thinking maybe more like a rock border.

If you're going to use rocks, I recommend you get them as big as you can manage, & that you sink half of each rock below ground level - that'll make a more stable support for your raised bed. I dug a trench and laid the rocks in it & then backfilled it, mostly with bark mulch. It won't stop weeds, but it makes it easier to pull them out.

This is what it looks like - Click here

kind regards
Henrik