Our new garden taking shape - gradually!

Its really starting to look promising isn't it? I've always envied people who can visualise a completely different plan from the one they can see. Did you find it difficult removing all the existing planting?I think I would be too soft hearted - which is probably why our garden layout is rather boring...

Hi Sheila, this is so interesting. I love to see the progress and your dream garden taking shape.

Thanks Sue - actually, not difficult at all - there was hardly anything that wasn't ill or ancient, lol! But I have kept a peony and a tree peony (no idea what colour they will be).

Thanks Paul . . . only another two or three weeks, and I'll have young trees, and will be able to dig in all the plants brought from our previous place :)

Looking very nice Sheila. I like the shapes very much. You'll soon be out there planting! I wonder if you'll go for a clematis flammula triternata rubromarginata for the arbour....I love it, but its very temperamental here...the slugs eat it faster than it can grow. This year I planted a C. aromatica in the hope that that will be a bit stronger.

Wow Sheila, its going to look great, I'm so pleased it's finally happening for you, thanks for doing the blog.

Thanks Karen - I'll have to look up that Clem. I do have one, but can't remember which, and I'd need wellies on to walk down the garden to read the label! Good luck with your new one.

Thanks Dawn - you're very welcome :)

I really like your garden design ,Sheila,and I bet you can't wait to start planting all the ones you brought with you,plus the new ones arriving soon..Have you already planned where they are all going ? sometimes mine get moved a few times till I feel happy they are in the right place..I guess you may end up doing the same Lol.x

I love the shapes created in your garden and it is so interesting to be 'involved' at such an early stage.
It must be so exciting for you to see how it is changing almost daily.

Thank you Sandra - yes, I am trying to be disciplined, and am making a planting plan. Of course, I’ve already changed my mind several times!

Thanks Chris, yes, it’s great fun but quite scary too . . . hoping we’re making the right decisions:)

Thanks for sharing your garden plans with us. As others have already said, it is interesting to see a garden right from the beginning. Looking forward to pics after the planting.

this is really taking shape. you must be 'bursting' with excitement. I know I would be.

Thanks Feverfew . . . the planting is likely to take a few months. I decide on three trees, then change my mind, then change it back again . . . (!)

Thank you Eileen - yes it is exciting, but a bit worrying at the same time. Yesterday OH and I finally decided on the paving, then I stayed awake half the night hoping it would look right! Perhaps a bit like a nervous bride on her wedding eve? I'll be on more familiar ground when choosing plants :)

Sheila, I do like the curvaceous design, really lovely. I don't have the courage to re-design much of my garden and am looking forward to seeing how yours develops.

The Clematis Karen mentioned has, if I remember correctly, a wonderful Almond scent to it. Mine thrived for about three years, then just collapsed due to (?) Clematis wilt and had to be removed. I must say it was very, very attractive though!

Shirley, thank you. When I first saw the design (by a professional) my comment was "wow!" I love the way the path intersects with the lawn . . . which you'll see eventually.

Yes, that Clematis does look lovely - and my OH would like the "marzipan" smell that is mentioned. I'll have to bear it in mind if we get around to building a small arbour in the far LH corner, and they say it's fast-growing too :)

How very professional does Alan know about you? The plans look great and you've really got stuck in. I'm really excited to see how it all develops.

Thanks Julia. I told Andy that I wanted to be able to “walk round”, have a bed with cobbles and grasses across the back, and several seating areas. We had a really good discussion, and I showed him the relaxed feel of our previous garden. I’m delighted with his plan, and only made a few tweaks!

The tweaks are the most important bits. I've been tweaking mine ever since moved here 9 years ago this year lol!

I bet you are delighted Sheila it is going to look stunning when finished.

Thank you Callie - I hope you’re right!

Looks like the garden makeover team have taken over your garden! ? Must be thrilling to see a garden "materialize" from paper to ground!

It is fascinating Balcony - a “first” for me :)

Oh my Sheila !!! I'd be sending myself and probably everyone else around me absolutely scatty in your position, although saying that, my hubby would not have a clue and be very happy that he wasn't the one doing the work, all the rest when it came to planting and the actual gardening part would be down to me, apart from the fact he would have to keep nagging me about making things easier for myself, now fancy saying that to a person who suffers withdrawal symptoms when not being able to get in the garden for what ever reason... I do like the design and I'm really looking forward to seeing it all coming together, you are going to be one very happy and excited gardener soon .....

Thank you Sue for your lovely comment. It is great watching each stage every day . . . today 1,440 pavers were delivered and wheelbarrowed round to the back (in the rain). Sam and Nathan will start laying them tomorrow. It’s been so strange not being able to garden since September (!) and exciting that I can begin again in a week or two :)

Sheila I feel as excited as you must be feeling seeing your new garden from its bare bones as it were to its transformation as the hard landscaping takes shape and then of course the magical bit as the planting goes in. Hope the blogs keep coming as it all happens and you get lots of enjoyment as things progress. Oh and
I love the design.

Hi Phyllis, lovely to hear from you! Yes, it’s daunting but exciting too. The slabs arrived today, and our young landscapers already seem exhausted . . but they look strong. I’m enjoying wandering around GCs leaving my money at home, lol, but my “wish list” is growing, as you can imagine :)

Btw, Karen and Shirley, the Clematis I have for the arbour is C. Koreana Amber (very pretty!).

Sheila, great choice! I just viewed it on Taylors website, a gorgeous colour and form, well done.

Thanks Shirley - I think I was seduced by a pic in the Hayloft leaflet! Hope it will flower this year . . .