A change for the better :)

I like that, Hywel, and can see that it will be easier to manage. Your garden is looking lovely :-)

Thank you :o)

its nice you like the change!

I liked the way it looked before, but I also liked the new area and can see how it will make it easier. I like the lollipop tree, is it really called that? :-)

Thank you all ...

Thanks Marybells. It's much better like that :o)

Snoopdog and Lijemc - The lollipop tree is Lonicera nitida. You can see another one with a different shape in some of the photos.
I started it off as a cutting, and I stripped the lower branches off as it grew taller :)
I clip it to keep it a 'lollipop' shape ... that's why I call it a 'lollipop' tree lol :D

I think it looks great,Hywel,and prefer it like this..it looks more open and your tree is lovely there..well done,not easy moving slabs either..you mind your back,and don't overdo it..x

oh, Hywel, thanks SO much for this posting...i have been feeling down because i can't seem to settle on a new design for my back garden..everyone on GOY seems so well organized with their lovely gardens..i'm relieved to see you felt the need to change, altho' i admired your garden before, i think you have made it easier to maintain, and i like this new design even better...you have cheered me up no end :o]]

I wouldn't dream of contracting you Hywel - you might name and shame me on that TV show of yours..lol ;)
I think it looks great and it's given you a bit more room to take a step back and appreciate some of your plants.
Well done and looking forward to what else you've got planned.

Looking good Hywel, I always think no matter if everyone says something looks ok, if you are not happy with it yourself it begins to annoy you and one simply has to do something about it..
I also really like your lollipop tree, its special to you when its one you have grown from one of your own cuttings.....

Gosh that looked like hard work, I thought we had lots of pots...but I think you win on this one..Love the lollipop tree....

Thank you all for your comments :) I'm pleased you all like my new design :o)

Sandra - I did have a struggle to move the slabs. I wasn't able to do anything for the rest of the night, after I'd finished ... lol

Odaatpat - I'm pleased to have cheered you up. You must be feeling downhearted. I hope you get some inspiration for your garden from this site.

Scottish, I wouldn't do anything to embarrass you :)
I hope to do some more reorganising when (if) the weather improves a bit lol

Sue the lollipop tree is a few years old now, and I'm hoping to start another one this year, to put in a pot by the door :o)

Dottydaisy - our comments crossed ... Thanks for reading my blog.
I can't stop buying plants, and I put them in pots because the garden is full now lol :D

Super, good job done. I can see why you have low fences in your area, look at that view.

Thank you Dawn :o)
I live on a slope, and the garden next door is a few feet lower down than mine. Those fences are 6 feet high lol ... but you can only see the tops of them ...

Hahaha Hywel, I see, would never have guessed that. Best of both worlds then, privacy and view.

Yes that's right :)

Hello Hywel ...
Interesting to see your new design ...
looks like you can now access your shrubs more easily ...

I hope the lollipop enjoys its new location. x

Like the other comments I like what you've achieved and can see now why you wanted to, a bit of order and clever planting has changed it for the better x

Job well done Hywel. Your garden looks less crowded and much nicer now. Your patio looks big at least in the picture. How often do you water all those pots during the summer months? I haven't got any pots in my garden, because I worry about watering them. My legs and arms aren't as strong as they used to be.

Change is good. I like what you have done Hywel. I am trying to make my gardening more manageable as well. Those pesky weeds!

That looked like a lot of hard work, Hywel. You've done a great job. Like you, I have lots of pots as I buy more plants than there is room for. I toyed with taking up the lawn for a while but can't make up my mind, so I just keep extending the borders until one day the lawn will have disappeared without my realising!
Odpaat, I'm glad Hywel cheered you up; I read your blog, asking for ideas but had nothing useful to offer - sorry. I've been getting disheartened with my garden too of late. There's one border in particular where the soil seems permanently compacted and moss -covered, despite as much organic matter and soil-improver as possible and I got to thinking, how can it still be so bad after 19 years of gardening here? It made me feel really inadequate, but then I am having a down spell. On a different day, I could have walked straight past it without a second thought and with eyes only for the roses. Contrary or what?

Hi Hywel, I thin it looks better now , more room for you pots etc . I love your lollipop tree :0)

Thank you all for reading my blog :) and your comments ...

Kokkinotriantafyllo ... how much I water the pots depends on the weather, When it rains (which is most of the time) I don't need to water them at all :)

I liked the way it was before but its much neater now and easier to manage. I'm tempted to have a go at a lollipop tree, I always admore yours. How long did it take to get like that?

Yes, I forgot to say, I like that too.

Thank you all :)

Steragram my tree started off as a bush, and one day I decided to take all the lower branches off. I don't know how old it is, but it's been a lollipop tree for a few years now :o)

Good job there, Hywel, looks like you've started and finished your renovations while I am still plodding along with mine. It looks really good and I love your lollipop tree too :)

I've only started Gee lol. There's more to do.
Thanks for your comment. I'm pleased you think it looks good :)

It looks really well done Hywel. More connected and flowing. A lot of hard work. It is a good feeling when a garden project is a success. I only do so much at a time and then leave off and rest a bit. Then come back and have another go. My resolution this year is.... If I have bought it I must plant it promptly.

Thank you :)
I'm the same as you - do a bit and then take a break. There's a lot more rearranging to do soon ...

I like the pavers now you've re-arranged some Hywel ... much more open and I think I shall try your method with the Lonicera. :o)

Thank you Shirley :)
I hope you'll be happy with your Lonicera ...

Thanks Hywel ... look our for a photo of it in about year! :o)

Good luck ! :o))

All looking good Hywel and certainly worth all your hard work, I like your Lollyipop Tree I have lots of Nitida in the garden you have given me Ideas now lol [watch this space]!!

Thank you :o)
I wonder what you'll do ...