New bed/pergola thing

[HeyWayne]

The year before last we re-landscaped our garden and it was kept minimal as neither of us were particularly gardening oriented. However, since my allotment acquisition I've developed a bit of a "thing" for gardening and feel that our garden lacks a bit of colour and interest.

Our garden is North-facing, and we have a patio immediately behind the house with a little area for a picnic bench - as shown in 0714gv.

I intend on building a pergola over this "recessed" area to form a bit of interest from the kitchen window. I also intend to have a treliss with some form of climber in the area kind of between the wheelbarrow and the washing line (that bright green pole thing), but as you can see, the are doesn't get much in the way of sunshine. The photos were taken in the height of summer around midday, but at this time of year it gets no sunshine at all.

I'll also make a flowerbed of some sorts along the bottom in front of the fence panels

Hopefully it makes sense?

Any ideas what my options might be? All contributions appreciated.

Wayne

[smallblueplanet]

Will all the climber be in shade most of the time, or would it have 'feet' in shade and 'head' in sun?

We've just started growing a climbing hydrangea up a north-facing fence, but if its the 2nd scenario, then clematis like cool roots & warm tops.

[HeyWayne]

Will all the climber be in shade most of the time, or would it have 'feet' in shade and 'head' in sun?

We've just started growing a climbing hydrangea up a north-facing fence, but if its the 2nd scenario, then clematis like cool roots & warm tops.

Clematis was a consideration as the "roof" of the pergola will cast shadow over most of the plants in the bed immediately below it. Ideally the plant will grow across the roof of the pergola to form a kind of canopy. I thought about grapes too, but I don't think there will be enough sun for them.

[HeyWayne]

Just realised the photo showing the back of the house is slightly wrong. We swapped the window and door around - so now the kitchen window will look directly out at the pergola area.

[lainey lou]

We built a pergola over part of our patio a couple of years ago and are growing up it a clematis, a honeysuckle and a passionflower, love it it looks gorgeous, I saved some passionflower seeds in the autumn if you would like some?

[HeyWayne]

We built a pergola over part of our patio a couple of years ago and are growing up it a clematis, a honeysuckle and a passionflower, love it it looks gorgeous, I saved some passionflower seeds in the autumn if you would like some?

Are these all on a north facing aspect?

[lainey lou]

Are these all on a north facing aspect?

No South west, however I think passion flower will grow just about anywhere!

I'll try to post some piccies of mine tomorrow. Forgot to say I have fairy lights on mine!

[HeyWayne]

Ooh, ooh, ooh! I saw the passion flower in one of the catalogues that landed on the doorstep yesterday. Yes please!! They're real purdy!

Hopefully, if this good weather keeps up, I'll be able to start building the pergola very soon. I should really start digging the soon-to-be flower beds too.

Exciting times!

[lainey lou]

Ooh, ooh, ooh! I saw the passion flower in one of the catalogues that landed on the doorstep yesterday. Yes please!! They're real purdy!

Hopefully, if this good weather keeps up, I'll be able to start building the pergola very soon. I should really start digging the soon-to-be flower beds too.

Exciting times!

PM me your address again hun, (think I deleted it from last time!) and I'll pop you some seeds in the post.
Been trying to post some piccies of my pergola but am pretty useless with techno thingies!

[jeannine]

The pics of you garden are amazing, what a transformation!

If you wanted to grow something edible alongside your passion flower, Japanese wineberries are very pretty for most of the year and are happy in partial shade.