Temporary solution for patio that is "in between" updates?

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Hey all! I actually originally made a post to the container gardening forum because I thought container gardening might be my only solution here, but now I'm wondering if I need to broaden my horizons a bit.

I have an unusual area of my patio that is in a half finished state, and won't be finished until some time next year. I'd still like to have my outdoor area feel cozy and beautiful, but I'm at a loss as to how to put lipstick on this particular pig :)

Basically we have a retaining wall that is "floating" on the edge of some unshaded concrete, with unfinished end caps. Eventually the plan is to build supports on either side of this wall and put a pergola over the uncovered pavement so we have a larger protected area for relaxing. Right now there are bare gravel "gaps" that I stuck a couple of planters onto to mask them. There is also a lot of empty space between the seating area and the wall, since there is no shade.

Today I spent some time doing a little cleaning up, filled the planters, added some shepherds hooks with more hanging flowers, and put a rug under the seating area. It is an improvement but it still just doesn't feel right to me.

I don't suppose anyone here can offer some advice as to how I can tie these two areas together a bit better? Or at least make the wall appear more purposeful? I'm at a loss!

Featured Answer

User

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I think another seating area in front of the wall would look nice, to bring the “room” together. Just a couple of chairs and small round table in between, for instance. Rattan, iron, wood, anything that’s ok in weather. Or a bench, chaise lounge, outdoor loveseat, etc.

Please ignore the cushion colors/styles, I have very limited choices on my app. These are just to illustrate what I mean. :)

If you want to keep the various pots on the wall, I’d plant the same thing in all of them, for a more cohesive, not-jumbled look ... that’s just my personal preference, no right or wrong! But I’d plant something in them. In the wall anchor pots, I’d plant wispy ornamental grass or something for height, and do various flowers for color in the ones in front.

I don’t know if a firepit is feasible, but that’s another idea:

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Comments (10)

Leland Lehman
8 years ago
Columns built out of the same brick as the wall may help define it. Also you may want to make the lawn behind the wall into a garden area.
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PRO
Bag of Bees
Original Author
8 years ago
Leland - That will eventually be the plan but unfortunately it has to wait until next year!

Miz - Wow I can't believe how well this illustrates the possibilities in this spot. I was actually considering putting a little bistro set in that area and seeng your idea with the additional seating reinforces that thought. All of the pots along the back are currently fitted with herbs so I would want to keep those, but I love the idea of adding a row of ornamental pots along the back. I think I'm going to have to pay a visit to the garden center when the rain clears up. Thanks for the input!
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
You’re so welcome! :)

Funny about the bistro set, I did one like that and forgot to post it. I like it! (Sorry, scale is a bit off.)
l pinkmountain
8 years ago
The element of design you are lacking now is uniformity, either in the contents of the pots (the plants) or the style of the pots. Neither option would be inexpensive to implement, however. I'm not a stickler for style over function though.
PRO
Bag of Bees
Original Author
8 years ago
I think this might be about all I can do this year but I think it’s a huge improvement from where I started! I really wanted to find a more structural plant to put along the wall but I went to three different garden centers and nothing jumped out at me. Ended up doing three small planters with daisies and trailing sedum instead. The existing pots got reshuffled to the edges of the wall, which helps mask the unfinished ends I think. I added a couple of chairs and a small table as well. :)

Thanks everyone for all of your suggestions!
User
8 years ago
It looks nice, thanks for the update!
PRO
Flo Mangan
8 years ago
One additional suggestion. Cluster pots together and give them all different heights. Use bricks or stone to elevate some. Most look either very tall or very small. Don’t line up like soldiers on the brick wall. Put one colorful one on the table between the chairs. Angle the chairs toward the other seating area.
PRO
Flo Mangan
8 years ago
You didn’t ask, but a big distraction is your wood fence. I would get that power washed as soon as you can. Then use a semi transparent stain in a darker color to help preserve it. Otherwise you will be replacing it because it is not going to last without some TLC. ;).
littlebug zone 5 Missouri
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
What a lovely area! I can see the potential.

For now, though, I agree with the matching pots/matching plants idea. Some biggish plants. And the small furniture grouping. Decorate what you have now, not what’s going to be. How about planting ornamental grasses (in the ground) near where the posts are going to be? That would give the area some more definition and a permanent (rather than transitional) look.

Is privacy a concern? I’m looking at that home toward the right with what looks like a covered patio right on the other side of your fence.