Arch

Hi Littledove,
I think your idea for installing an arch at the end of the narrow path is a great idea. It will help to divide the garden into two 'rooms' or areas. It will also create a feeling of 'mystery' so that you cannot see the whole garden at one time. When guests see the garden they will be encouraged to explore to see what lies beyond the arch.You will also find that you will want to explore the garden as well each time you go there. It will also allow you to grow some shrubs and train them to grow over the arch. This will allow for you to possibly add perfume or colour to the area- if for example you choose a Honeysuckle or Jasmine with a Clematis scrambling through the main plant for colour.It will also add height to your garden as you suggest, and you have very interesting shapes in your garden planting beds. The arch will soften the lovely paved areas as well as adding architectural interest.
If you also add two large planters and fill them with plants and place them each side of the arch it will really make a statement as well!
Our garden is tiny, and we added an arch. If you browse through our photos you will see it.
Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.
Best wishes,
Grenville.

Yes I think your right Grenville, I would like to begin to divide areas in order to make it more interesting and it needs softening. Your garden is such an inspiration :) it looks massive yet you say it's tiny, this inspires me that so much can be done, what size is your garden? if you don't mind me asking.

I choose Summer Jasmine and winter Jasmine for the arech then I'll have colour all year round on it.

Should I use plants to divide the top area or some sort of screening like willow or a trellis ? prehaps both ?

Our garden is only 20 feet by 18 feet with a narrow strip along the side of the house.It is on two levels and each area has a different theme.
Jasmines will look lovely over an arch to give lots of interest. You could use plants to screen areas at the top or have a feature like a rocky outcrop or a water feature. A large urn or statuary can also create interest or you might have a theme for an area with some big architectural plants e.g Bamboos or a small tree- perhaps an Acer provided it has shelter from the sun. Hope this helps.

A trellis sounds just right - it will allow some light and tantalising 'peeks' through it, while still giving you the two 'rooms'. You will be spoiled for choice as to what climbers to plant on it! You could choose evergreen Clematis plus summer flowering ones, or go more exotic with Passion fowers etc. The list is endless! What fun!

I don't believe you Grenville lol are you serious!!! Wow you have done wonders, your garden ooze’s with passion. I will keep nurturing my garden, then one day mine too will ooze with passion :)
This is my 1st ever garden, the desire for my own garden has been with me for many years, I'm loving it, growing and learning with my garden, & I never realised how calming it is.
I'm so glad I joined this site, the encouragement is amazing, I would like to thank everyone :)

I like the idea of a trellis, more so now with imaging the light peeking through as I hadn‘t considered that, thanks Spritz.
& yes it's going to be great fun :)

The trellis will look super. Please post up some more pics when it is finished.
You might wish to see our garden on our website:
www.victorianhousegarden.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
Best wishes,
Grenville.

Wow! we have a star, to which I'm not surprised, I could feel the passion in your garden from here, will you be my garden mentor :) lol forget the daytime visit's I would just love to spend one evening in your garden with music & wine, getting lost in fantasy.
Compliments to Jason for the photography it's superb, truly outstanding. What an achievement :) you've shown me anything is possible all you need is inspriation, imagination and passion, & there you will find a inner reflection of oneself :)

ive just had a look at victorianhousegarden and wow is the only word for it. amazing.

Thanks folks for your very kind comments. We are amateurs and learning about gardening like everyone else,but hopefully we can help and support fellow gardeners and share hints and tips that we have picked up along the way as well as learn from our friends on this site.

Thanks Irish. Glad you liked the website.