Monday, June 24, 2013

Out With The Old

As Mark blogged about recently, we have a number of plans ahead with the garden and the next on our list is the patio near to the house, we usually refer this as the top patio. This area has been home to a number of potted bamboos (almost 30 different species and cultivars), many of which need dividing and re-potting or planting into the ground - although several are too vigorous to be planted out here!

We have taken the decision that after many years with these bamboos that the time has come for a complete change here, and we have decided to let go of nearly all of these plants. Whilst this may seem like a bit of a dramatic decision we have had great pleasure from collecting and enjoying these plants but our garden is of limited size and so to be able to do something different and enjoy a change we need to allow them to go to new homes.

A couple of personal favourites will be kept but the rest are going to friends and family who can give these plants a better home, and in the most part a place in the ground. We decided against putting them on eBay so that we could still gain pleasure from them in the future when visiting friends gardens, and who knows we may even get given the odd division back in the future if we miss certain ones!

So... how do you get an 8 foot bamboo into the back of a car...
It's a good job bamboos bend!
We will still have many bamboos in the garden, as we have a number of plants in the ground so it won't be a complete shock!

The main makeover will take place next spring, however we need to create some space for a related house project (we will no doubt share some of the end results of this related project inn due course).

So what will we do.. well the plan is to completely change the feel of this patio area. I want to link this to the new area through choices of colour and materials. This will mean stone, wood, and probably plenty of white.

But it's not all change, the existing plants that are in the ground will remain, this includes three bamboos and several palms. Plus a couple of the old potted bamboos will stay to help maintain a screen between us and the neighbours.

We want this area to have quite a manicured feel, but clearly with exotic and tropical looking plants, perhaps with hints of a patio area from a tropical hotel...

Our existing patio furniture will no doubt find a new home, most probably in my parents garden, along with a couple of the bamboos it will almost feel like our garden! We want the new look to this patio to have quite a unified feel, and so the new furniture must help tie this together. I keep looking at the rattan style furniture which I think will work here. We had avoided this style of furniture in the garden previously but we both came to the same conclusion that this would work well in the new design.

In terms of plants the key thing for me will be to ensure the patio area looks good even in January or February, when anything deciduous will be bare of leaves, and any herbaceous plants will be tucked up under ground. In the main I want to stick mostly to evergreen plants, so there will probably be one or two more palms joining the party. 
The existing patio area as it looked earlier this year.
Many of the other potted plants will be staying, and hopefully will get planted into new beds once the make over is complete.

However other than clearing the bamboos off to new homes we won't be doing too much to this area this year.

Gaz :-) 

30 comments :

  1. Ouch! I don't think I could have as easily parted with a collection that size. I agree with your decision to send them to gardens of family and friends. So nice to still be able to see them when you visit. Can't wait to see your next project.

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    1. Indeed Bom, and it's great to know that they are going to good homes :)

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  2. Looking forward to seeing how your new project turns out!

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  3. The only thing you can count on in a garden is change...that's what keeps things interesting :-)

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  4. How nice that you'll be able to visit your bamboos. You guys are continually doing such fabulous things in your garden! I was thinking that it couldn't possibly get any better!

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    1. We never do sit still do we? Change is good fun and looking forward to what lies ahead :)

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  5. Nice that you're open to change and it keeps getting better.

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  6. Change is always good, especially in the garden. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

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    1. Indeed Loree :) it's nice to see something new within your abode every so often

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  7. I've always said the way to be a good gardener is not to be afraid to cut things out. Not sure I could jettison such a large collection, but then I'm not very good at weeding either! Looking forward to seeing the transformation.

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    1. It had to be done Helen and looking forward to the changes that lies ahead :)

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  8. Yay for finding them good new homes where you can still visit them... :)

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  9. Big changes still going on there. How nice that your loss is someone else's gain and now someone else can enjoy what you have previously. The redo sounds like it's going to be wonderful.
    Cher Sunray Gardens

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    1. It's nice to know they're going to friends Cher :)

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  10. Indeed change is inevitable, otherwise we become used to even most beautiful garden, it is great to change it, install new structures and plants.

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    1. Indeed Alex, it keeps the interest going too.

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  11. Can't wait to see what related house project you're doing. Life would be boring without projects, present and future.

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    1. Not long now Gerhard, the works will start in just a couple of week's time.

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  12. You guys will never run out of material. Onward and upward!

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  13. One mark of a good gardener is knowing how to edit. I am glad your bamboos are going to new homes. I look forward to seeing how the new patio area will look. You seem to be on the roller coaster of never ending projects, but that's part of gardening - and home ownership!

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    1. Thanks Debs! The projects seems never ending at times, although they are all self inflicted and enjoyable to do. It keeps us going :)

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  14. You guys can seriously write a book about having a tropical garden in London!! Awesome. Do those bamboos die back in snow? Do you have to buy more? What advice do you have for buying bamboos that can survive snow and freezing temperature?

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    1. Thanks KL! All of the bamboos we have are evergreen and a majority of them are hardy, able to withstand snow, freezes, and low winter temperatures. Phyllostachys is a good genus to start with when it comes to hardy bamboos, followed by Fargesias.

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  15. Whatever you do it will be wonderful because you both are so gifted in the garden! How nice that you will be able to visit your plants!

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  16. I can't wait to see what ends up happening with this!

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