ᐅ Designing a Narrow, Long Front Garden Area Next to the House

Created on: 16 Apr 2022 18:27
S
shenja
S
shenja
16 Apr 2022 18:27
Hello,
for years I have been thinking about how to design the problem area of my house.
I have a long narrow strip along the public pathway that I would like to plant. The strip is about 75 cm (30 inches) wide and 10.5 meters (34.5 feet) long. It faces south and gets full sun. Two gardens away, the neighbor has cut down all the tall and old trees, which means that since this year, our house is fully exposed to the sun. Therefore, we really want some sort of protection to prevent the ground from heating up excessively and possibly something that will protect at least the lower part of our facade from the direct sun in the future.
Trees probably won’t work due to the limited space available.
I like plants that are useful to wildlife throughout the year.
The fence must stay because otherwise the area would become a dog toilet, even now with just the stones. The privacy screen on the fence is more of a splash guard since the whole area is on an unpaved path, which is officially a dead end but apparently many people have a key to lower the bollards, and the footpath is frequently used by vehicles, often at high speed. It’s a disaster when it rains.
So, I’m looking forward to your suggestions.

Hexagonal wooden planter with green plant on gravel path next to metal fence and mailbox.


Narrow gravel path next to blue house and metal fence; wooden planter box with plant, shaded.
F
fab101
16 Apr 2022 19:46
A hedge would be suitable. Thuja, privet, etc.
S
shenja
16 Apr 2022 20:18
I don’t want a thuja. I already have those as a boundary hedge in the rest of the garden. I also don’t want it to be dark in front of the windows now.
I was thinking more of something that also blooms and provides food and shelter for wildlife.
H
haydee
16 Apr 2022 22:03
Maybe a trellis with trees would work.
I have no experience with this.

I would use tall plants like delphiniums, blazing stars, and mullein,
accompanied by thyme, sage, and irises.
Ground cover plants like houseleek,
Christmas rose, tulips, daffodils, and autumn asters to have flowers for about 10 months of the year.

The only thing you won’t get is shade.
Climbing roses and black-eyed Susans don’t work – tried them myself.

Clematis might work and provide shade for the house wall during summer.
M
Myrna_Loy
16 Apr 2022 22:26
Maybe a wicker fence? They can be kept narrow by pruning, and the planting distance can be varied.
S
shenja
16 Apr 2022 22:27
Thanks for the tip. Do shrubs like serviceberry, etc., work?
This strip is driving me crazy because you can’t do anything with it.
We tried to buy some land from the public right-of-way but were unfortunately denied.