Biennial Event.

Marvellous job of the hedge cutting - wouldn't you hate to have to do it yourself? I'd be terrified up that ladder.

If you are looking for honest answers rather than polite ones I'm not totally convinced about the new arrangement. To me it looks as though you are in the middle of moving things and haven't finished. You might try putting the bench at an angle so as well as shortening the drive it also looks more inviting. Then put the tall plants behind it with the small ones closer together, so it looks more like a natural planting, hopefully with the effect of putting the bench in a little arbour. The pot with the large grass could go close to the left end of the bench just to finish it off? That might fit in more with the general feel of your garden?

Well, you did ask!!

What is the flag please?

I am with Stera re the siting of the bench.. .......I prefer the the original position, if it was me I would put the bench in an arbour, and grow roses and honeysuckle over it, and make a feature of the bench, perhaps set it on some lovely paving too and have large matching containers either side, with evergreens etc.......and yes you did ask lol!!

That's a good point - the drive presumably is more or less out of sight from the rest of the garden anyway? And don't you need to have access to the garage?

Yes I did see the bird bath - its a lovely one. If it was mine I'd put it somewhere more prominent to show it off!
So glad DD was brave enough to agree - I was a bit nervous about sounding critical as comments on here are so often only positive. But after all we do know what a gorgeous garden is just around the corner here!

A lovely neat job made of the hedging.you're lucky to have reliable people to do it.
Have to say, I liked the look of the bench as it was in the summer
A couple of bamboos in pots(one either side of the bench) may go well!!

LOVE a bit of hedge cutting...although mine are not that big....everything always looks soo tidy after its done.

It looks brilliant now, that hedge. As you say Julia, what would you do without those guys? I'd hate to be up a ladder with a power tool!

I'm with Stera re. The bench, and I cant resist suggesting a few potted Heucheras to add some ground level interest to the potted arrangement. :)

There's a difference between negativity and invited constructive criticism and I think most of us on here are sensitive to that. You invited comments Julia. If you hadn't, I wouldn't have said anything because I do prefer to be positive and hold to the old idea that if you have nothing positive to say..then say nothing. And I have learned a few lessons on here in that regard. :)

That is some job.

Oh my, what a job & how well it has been done. I wish I knew someone that would tackle my horrible field hedgerow.

Lovely for the garden to look manicured. You've just reminded me, spring 2015 we had some conifers taken out of front garden. I'll put some photos on to show you. Made way for lovely magnolia which flowered well this year - No photo sadly, still there's always next year.