Need help with landscaping idea

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

hi all, we are currently building a new house and need advise with landscaping. I have attached the house and land plan. The outdoor is not big at all.
We are looking for something simple, modern and low maintenance.
Space for kids to play.
Some advise will be really appreciated.

Thank you.
TJ

Featured Answer

kooky_karen

7 years ago

Firstly, you have not said which way the house faces. Planting anything depends on this.
Because the front garden is not large I would keep plants to a minimum. Turf and a lovely feature tree, eg. weeping cherry or Japanese maple in the middle of bedroom window and a potted plant on the patio.
I imagine that you have gates beside the garage to access the back garden, so that puts paid to anything there. 2.9 metres reducing to 2.4 metres is not a lot of space to plant anything but you could try espaliered plants, or have potted plants on wheeled bases. I would also have a pattern of pavers and grass the length of this area.
The obvious place for the children's play area is in the corner, under a tree that will become a great shade tree.
The side with all bedroom windows will be difficult to keep maintain, so I suggest large pebbles.
Along the back fence - opposite decking - maybe a flowering bush or two, eg. camellias. And a pond with water lilies and tall bamboo or similar outside the master bedroom.

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Comments (13)

kellyadame
7 years ago
What is behind the 1.8 metre retaining wall? Is it you land ?
kellyadame
7 years ago
Sorry 1.5
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tanjimh
Original Author
7 years ago
The retaining wall is the property boundary.
kellyadame
7 years ago
Ok shall think on it.
Greg Simpson
7 years ago
First of all establish a budget for your project. On average 5% to 10 % of your capital investment (house + land) is normal. Actual costs will work on a sliding scale depending on how many elements you wish to put into your landscape like drainage works, fences and gates, driveway, turf, paths, retaining walls, plants, soil ,mulch, decking , paving, water and or sculptural features ect.
katspeers
7 years ago
Just think about sight lines first. When you are looking out the window put a feature there or hide something that you don't want to be a feature. Then remember to repeat, repeat to bring some cohesiveness to a small garden. Also try and pick plants that go with the style of your house.
I'd put a small tree in the middle of the area infront of bed 3 and then maybe mirror it on the other side of the garage.
Next to the garage I'd put the clothesline and a kitchen garden or pots for herbs or veges, if it gets any sun. You could pave this bit and it could become handball alley or trike time for kids depending on there ages. You could also squeeze one of those mini garden sheds in here out of sight.
I'd hedge the fence from the living room windows all the way around to the back to the master bed - hiding the retaining wall and giving you a backdrop of green wherever you look. You could do a feature pot or pond on the side infront of the living room windows. Maybe not grass this bit from the deck back, but something softer that leads to the paving, -pebbles/granite?. I'd grass out the back and depending where you needed some shade /privacy I'd plant another tree within another garden bed, just keep the garden bed with angular lines rather than curved and just bring it out from the hedge.
lydia1144
7 years ago
So many choices to make. Best $ I spent was an hour consult with garden designer. What's the sun's path. What windows might need sheltering in hot weather? Will you have a vegetable garden, maybe raised, for herbs, parsley, tomatoes and such,if not the full blown 'provide all our own veggies.' Do you want blooms/flowers to cut. Consider smaller trees that give you leaf, flower and even maybe fruit. Or deciduous ornamentals eg flowering pears. Espalier fruit trees. Do you like fine leaves or chunky? Do you want to have autumn colours? Screen with green. Decking or pavers? Outdoor entertaining? Colour preferences, keep within a range, repeat plantings. Some curved beds will soften, or you may prefer straight. How much time do you want to spend on maintaining your garden? Walk around your neighbourhood and take note of plants that are thriving. Don't forget irrigation, water needs, and access to taps.
Al McA
7 years ago
Before you take any of the advice here, as a previous poster said, you need to let people know where you are and where North is. If you are in Darwin and I tell you to plant a maple, you'll be very disappointed when your maple dies assuming you could buy one in the first place. I second the idea of finding a local designer, and if funds are tight now get a master plan and then you can do it in stages. Try your local garden centre if it's a good one, they will often then give you a discount on the plants. All the best, have fun and set aside money in the budget to rejuvenate the soil, building does damage it terribly and it will pay off in happy plants!
tanjimh thanked Al McA
tanjimh
Original Author
7 years ago
thank you everyone for your suggestion. It has been very valuable.

Does anyone has an idea what can be done between the bedroom 1 and the retaining wall. Can something be done with the space or is this going to be a waste? I have seen people doing amazing stuff with tiny spaces.
jbantick
7 years ago
set a budget first.

landscaping is like designing and building the house, but landscaping will really make any house into something magical.
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Arthur Lathouris Garden Designer
6 years ago
Tanjimh, It is important to know where your house and garden are and of course where north is. This allows anyone giving advice to better understand your climatic conditions. Your soil type eg clay, sand etc are also important. Can you post a few photos of your house and block?

Best wishes

Arthur

www.arthurlathouris.com