Until recently I rented a property, and the garden became a constant source of frustration – not because I didn’t want to improve it, but because I couldn’t justify spending money on a space I didn’t own. At the same time, I was contractually bound to keep it looking respectable, which was a tricky balance!
The garden itself was a typical long, narrow Victorian plot, flanked by tall hedges with slim, uninspiring borders beneath them. Near the house was a bleak little concrete and stone yard, while at the far end, a brick wall framed a small raised planter filled with shrubs, perennials and – mostly – weeds.
Beyond the wall, the trees and open fields looked beautiful, but frustratingly, they were best viewed from a first-floor window rather than from the garden itself.
Because of its narrow shape, the garden got either full-on, scorching sun or random patches of light. Facing west, the sunsets were lovely – but again, mostly appreciated from upstairs. The towering hedge gave great privacy, and the birds loved the surrounding trees, but the whole space felt oddly disconnected from the house.
Not ideal for a garden designer!
Making the Best of a Shaded Yard
The worst spot was the yard. It felt miserable – made mostly of concrete, heavily shaded, and the all-important view from the kitchen sink faced a dull, lifeless fence. That had to change.
My first mission was to improve the view when doing the washing up. Luckily, I already had a stash of plants from my previous home, including some large potted specimens. My star plant was a Cornus kousa – a damaged arrival from another project that I’d nursed back to health. Standing around six feet tall, it became the centrepiece of my new display. Alongside it were a couple of small Magnolia standards, desperate for proper planting. They got a good feed and a whispered promise that their time would come soon.
To fill out the space, I added layers of ferns and Hostas, which thrived in the shade. For a bit of borrowed greenery, I took full advantage of my lovely neighbours, Allan and Colleen, who had planted a vigorous Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) years ago. Every summer, it exploded into lush growth, softening the fence beautifully before turning brilliant red and gold in autumn – gorgeous, but a nightmare for leaf sweeping!
Fairy lights strung overhead added a little magic, and suddenly, the yard didn’t feel quite so bleak.
Creating a Usable Garden Space
Further down the garden, I set up an outdoor seating area with colourful potted plants, summer bedding and a few accessories – rugs, cushions and whatever I could find to add a bit of personality. While these little touches helped, it was the plants that truly transformed the space and made it feel like a proper garden.
The towering hedges, however, were a beast to manage. Enter Rhys, who heroically tackled them with a chainsaw one afternoon – thankfully, because I’d have never managed it alone!
The lawn itself was tiny and full of moss, but I found an old push mower in a junk shop. It took ten long, fast passes (in both directions!) to get the grass looking remotely tidy, but it was strangely satisfying.
A Few Unexpected Surprises
As I started clearing the overgrown borders, a few forgotten flowers made an appearance – delicate pink roses, clusters of pale blue Brodiaea Fabiola, cheerful white daisies and bright Crocosmia. It was a nice reminder that even a neglected garden can have hidden beauty waiting to be uncovered.
By the time I was ready to move out, I’d grown fond of the space. It was private, full of life and – most importantly – I’d made it my own, even knowing I’d have to take all my potted treasures with me when I left.
Now, in my new place, all my plants are waiting once again to go into the ground. This time, they’ll have a permanent home – and I can’t wait to start taming the garden!