Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Dec 21, 2009 4:52 pm Hi all, I need some help. DH and I are currently in discussions (read as arguing) over what to do with this area. We both agree that it is a garden bed, have to start somewhere! but we have no idea what plants to put in and what to mulch with. We have been thinking maybe some sort of river pebble as it is quite close to the swimming pool and bark mulch in the pool would not make DH very happy. He is having enough trouble with the nearby gum trees! The garden bed is north but it is well shaded by these large gum trees and as I said gets some splash/run off from the salt water swimming pool. The dimensions are: pool fence side - 3.5m concrete edge - 5m and I didn't measure the colorbond fence side by you smart people should be able to work that out using pythagoras' theorem! What can we do with the area? Plant suggestions would be gratefully accepted. Did I mention he would like to do it by Christmas! TIA. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The nice big gum tree! Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Pool colours Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ House colours Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: What can i do with this area? 2Dec 21, 2009 5:07 pm I posted a thread a few weeks ago that might work for that type of area? Mine was a stupid sandy triangle (4m x 7m) and I just wanted low maintenance plants and some sort of pebble to keep the sand down. I ended up using weed mat with Quartz on top. Looks pretty good - the photos dont do it much justice though sorry. Oh and it has a water feature in it now too (not pictured). viewtopic.php?f=19&t=26912 ...just some ideas for you anyway Building 'The Kingston' (with 'Boston' elevation) through Blueprint Homes in Hocking, Perth **PCI complete 06.02.10** My Thread - https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=17607 Re: What can i do with this area? 3Dec 21, 2009 5:14 pm How about putting in some rocks or artificial rock, with boulders and then put some grass plants and ferns in between. It would be a real feature, especially if you added some lights. Blog: http://bluemistkids.blogspot.com "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, and professionals built the Titanic." Re: What can i do with this area? 4Dec 21, 2009 5:19 pm I remember reading your thread now Nat. It looks great. Can you tell me some of the plants you used for this area? Hels, the lighting idea is definately on our list. I think the big gum tree (in our neighbours yard) would look amazing uplit. Re: What can i do with this area? 5Dec 21, 2009 5:36 pm I like Hels' idea.... A large rock or two would be great with a feature plant and some grasses. Are your kids likely to chuck pebbles in the pool? If so, I'd go for the big river stones - up to 200mm. Those are a bit harder to lob over the fence. Agaves don't seem to mind pool water, judging from the number of times I've seen them planted poolside. Do you want some colour? Cannas might work, or bougainvillea. Re: What can i do with this area? 6Dec 21, 2009 6:39 pm kek I like Hels' idea.... A large rock or two would be great with a feature plant and some grasses. Are your kids likely to chuck pebbles in the pool? If so, I'd go for the big river stones - up to 200mm. Those are a bit harder to lob over the fence. Agaves don't seem to mind pool water, judging from the number of times I've seen them planted poolside. Do you want some colour? Cannas might work, or bougainvillea. Thanks for your reply Kek. My kids wouldn't chuck the pebbles in, but you never know, kids will be kids! I pictured the big river stones too. The cannas sounds like a good idea, would make it look nice and lush. We had heaps in the garden in the old place, the tropical coloured ones, never thought to pot a few up! Re: What can i do with this area? 7Dec 21, 2009 9:08 pm Rock and water feature for me. Light pebbles with a couple of large cordy's or something . Spray the fence a dark color, with some large feature plants each side of the water feature, it will highlight the plants, and not make the fence a part of the area (if that makes sense). 12v lighting to light up the plants. Adrian B Re: What can i do with this area? 8Dec 21, 2009 10:00 pm Ooh! ooh! Water feature with the water fall going into the pool Where you are coming from is where you are going to... Re: What can i do with this area? 9Dec 22, 2009 1:10 am I'd very strongly suggest chucking the stones idea. The very core of healthy plants in the long term is not a bag of fertiliser, it is feeding the soil. The only way to do that is with green mulches that return the goodies back from where they came. Ironically it is chipped and mulched Eucs that can provide the best mulch but they will not act or mess things up as they do when falling from the tree into your garden (and pool). A rich humic layer of soil will form underneath, worms will go mental and that means a healthy soil, which then leads to bugger all work needed and happy healthy plants. The alternatives are diseased sick plants that are reliant on fertilisers which offer a crap return on investment and have a garden that at first looks good and then makes you it's slave mmmwwwwuuuhahhahahah The great news is that these mulches will actually make less mess than even pebbles. (because of the kids):) Why? Because they matt together (the bits of mulch not the kids . It is the only mulch with irregular sizes of bits. They all mat and bind together. Unlike the black mulches which are purely cosmetic and very unwaterwise and the pine bark and wood chips which blow around and make a right mess After a week and you won't get any mess. (you will for a few days till it settles and the more you use the better the result, check/search my user name and mulch ) Please don't use weed mat underneath as it will rob your soil of many vital things and was originally developed to give nurseries a cheap and effective floor covering. Great for stopping pebbles working into soil but does bugger all (WOFTAM) for stopping weeds in domestic applications An excellent approach is making the best of what you have and it is great to hear you are thinking of illuminating the Euc It is going to look amazing As for the corner, well why not a heap of Dianella, Emerald Arch but then as I look at it some Kanga paws (Big red or Tango) would look a treat mass planted there. Would fit in very well with the big Euc and be waterwise, fertiliser wise and clean and tidy for the pool area. try growing a Gero wax in the very corner if you can find one over your way.(maybe easier to get come winter or early spring) Again bugger all mess and very tough fitting in with what you have there already Also attracts birds to the garden and that means nice warm mornings with a cuppa in the garden watching the birds play in the flowers It would make for some excellent lighting opportunities as well Re: What can i do with this area? 10Dec 23, 2009 9:18 am Thanks Fu for your indepth answer. The pebble idea seems great in theory but when you describe the use of mulch it really does make more sense. I think DH has given up on the idea of having it done by Christmas! I like the idea of the mulch with some feature rocks, the native plants and of course the lighting. Thanks for all your input guys. Re: What can i do with this area? 12Dec 23, 2009 9:42 am I thought about a water feature but then thought the pool is one big water feature, especially with the sun pod and it's little fountains. They may 'compete' with each other, if you know what I mean. I would like to someday and somehow extend the undercover area out a bit onto the conrete that is already there this would put the entertaining area closer to the pool too. Re: What can i do with this area? 13Dec 23, 2009 10:01 am fairy blue I thought about a water feature but then thought the pool is one big water feature, especially with the sun pod and it's little fountains. They may 'compete' with each other, if you know what I mean. I would like to someday and somehow extend the undercover area out a bit onto the conrete that is already there this would put the entertaining area closer to the pool too. Yep, absolutely right. 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