Feedback on small backyard design

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

Hi All,

Our backyard has reduced to half its size after a new addition to the house. We wanted to maximize space while having most of the elements we want. As you can see its packed with zones and overall we think the layout will work well...for us. *This is already in construction.

One area I am struggling with is the 17*9 wide space right next to our big paver patio. It leads to the pea gravel fire-pit/sitting area. We intentionally did not want grass or turf in the backyard. We have a grassy front yard. Back here to avoid a lot of hardscape and to soften the area, we decided to use this 17*9 patch as a garden area. My inspiration pictures are attached. I like the look of organic, grassy meadow-ish garden with stepping stones. I picture the fire pit/hot tub area peeking through lush greenery. The soothing sound of water coming from the fountain on the left. It works in my head. But now that it's time to execute, I am second guessing if this is too small of an area to do this kind of garden? The alternative is to leave it all as pea gravel but that'd be a LOT of hardscape. I don't want this. For a second, I thought of this option so the kids have more space to "play" but then I think the patio is huge enough and will fit their need. There is also the area behind the new primary that can be the kids area to do messy play. This 9 ft can be better utilized as a garden to beautify the space. I am rambling a bit but basically I wanted thoughts from you landscape enthusiast on whether my current plan works? Is there a better alternative that'd soften the area. Any other overall feedback on the layout?

Inspo

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Dig Doug's Designs

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

Here are a few ideas :

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Comments (7)

cecily 7A
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I would place artificial turf in that area. It looks like a high traffic area.
Sigrid
3 years ago
The way to make a meadow-style garden is to think of it in terms of a matrix. Your base layer is one or two matrix plants of which you have a lot. This is the back ground and often grasses and relatively low-growing. Then you want a few dramatic plants these are generally taller. And then a layer of scatter plants --- plenty of them. You might have a several different ones to get a longer bloom time.

I saw a lovely garden like this in the Olbrich Botanical gardens in Madison, WI. The base layer was Pennsylvania sedge, the scatter plants in bloom at the time were white penstemmon, and the dramatic plants were white snakeroot.

Another thing you can do is plant masses of the same plant in drifts and keep them all the same height.
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Blueflower S
Original Author
3 years ago
@Dig Doug's Designs oh my goodness, did you just make this from my layout? For a second, I thought this is exactly like mine. Wow. This is so helpful. How did you do this? So cool!! I have been trying to find free apps to do something similar.
PRO
Dig Doug's Designs
3 years ago
Yes, this is your layout.
Blueflower S
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago

I want to do this combo of hellebore and hostas and may be hydrangeas in the back for my fountain planting bed. What I am unsure of is what to plant in front of this. The landscaping fabric you are seeing is where the meadow garden is supposed to go leading up-to the fire pit area. What would be good plants that won't compete with the above set up?

I had something like below in mind. Looks okay-ish(i think its missing one more plant) but the side view of this garden and the above fountain garden together looks too chaotic. See next picture.

The plants are competing with each other :(
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I'd honestly think twice about a meadow style planting right outside your windows. Pictures usually show them in full growth and looking their best. Depending on your climate it could well look a mess for much of the year with dead grasses, plant stems and bare patches. I also agree with Cecily that people, particularly the children, will be tempted to take short cuts across it. I would pave it the same as the other areas but leave planting pockets to soften the hardscape and provide year round interest.