Ideas wanted

[Cabbagepatch3]

Hi. I am working on a space at work for staff to sit outside. This space has not been used for at least 10 years....budget is minimal....As you can see we have been donated some free seats. Just need some planting or decorative ideas...

[Dynamite]

Create a few private areas for people to sit and be peaceful, shielded by bigger plants. Looks like shade loving plants will be a benefit. Could start by using the principle already there with the slabs being removed to create planting pockets.

Regards........Rob

[Cabbagepatch3]

Great ideas, thanks!

[rary]

remove the broken slabs, I think I would try some bamboo in that area, a tall clumping one thats a slow spreader, also remove some of the slabs in front of the fence and turn the rest to give more planting space at the fence and put in climbers if thats honeysuckle there already I would leave that where it is and put in some clematis to give you colour and a sense of privacy, and put some perennials at the base

[Jay-ell]

Hello CP and welcome to the vine.

What's your location as advice may vary depending on this.

Looks as it it could be shady so possible variegated plants may work. How about something tall and architectural in the corner so that the bosses cant check you out on CCTV?

Look on freecycle or put an ad on yourself for any free plants going spare.

Could you tie into a theme of the business (ok, this works best for things like breweries and fabrics companies, not so good for other industries).

You say you haven't got much of a budget - I'm surprised you've got one at all Some seed packets for annuals which will self seed may work in the long run, though I'd probably think about perennial plants long term if there's not going to be much of a budget every year.

[happyhumph]

Yes, rearrange paving slabs to remove broken ones and possibly replace with whole ones in the wrong place. I'd keep 1 or 2 planting pockets in the middle to avoid that 'furniture shoved to the sides of the room' feel.

If your budget stretches to a small tree or two there are some lovely small trees that don't grow to tall that would give a sense of hight and drama in the middle pockets, & help combat that feeling of being surrounded by high walls. Underpants with grasses for movement, or a nice ground cover.

As others have said it looks quite shady. A variegated ivy would look great against the walls and be evergreen. Possibly some cornus (dogwood) round the edges? Some great coloured stems for winter interest (reds, blacks, greens, yellows). Added bonus of being extremely easy to propogater if you can only afford one, or you might be able to beg some cuttings.

Depending on how much time is going to be devoted to maintenance you want something fairly easy, so shrubs and climbers that only need attention once or twice a year once established are probably good.

As it looks shady and will be used all year (?), I'd concentrate on different foliage and stemsas the Base, with flowers more as an accent.

Hope this makes sense!

[Guest]

Shady plants worth considering hydrangea and there is a climbing version, alchemilla mollis. aquilegia, astrantia, calendula, cerinthe, nicotiana, larkspur, snap dragons, astilbe, monarda, foxglove, hellebore, hostas and heuchara. Some of these are easy to grow from seed but definitely put an add in freecycle and any local ad boards in shops etc asking for shady and evergreen plants, cuttings or flower seed.

Edit: scrounge some pallets from somewhere so you can knock up a storage box for tools and bits and bobs.

[DWSmith]

Just need some planting or decorative ideas...

[Miss Mousetrousers]

Underpants with grasses for movement, or a nice ground cover.

Hope this makes sense!

Well - it did until I saw your idea of underpants. I realise you want to achieve an intimate area for staff members to relax in and am aware that there may be some rather avante-guard garden designs around, but personally I'd use something that doesn't need a regular wash unless you are thinking of erecting a flag-pole, in which case you will need to invest in some strong clothes pegs and select colours appropriate to your firm's logo. At least it will tell you which way the wind is blowing!

[Finley]

I'd plant things like rosemary and oregano which will smell sweet and also can cope with complete neglect! Someone - possible veggiechicken? - has a thread about a living path, using the idea of planting where the paving stones are missing, so perhaps creeping thyme too

[Miss Mousetrousers]

A sensory garden! Just the thing to relax in whether it be scent or feel - lovely!