Hi all,
We are currently working on the terrace and need to inform our landscaping contractor how to install the lawn edging stones. We are considering how wide our planting beds should be. Basically, we want to keep the beds as narrow as possible but as wide as necessary.
We would really appreciate any tips or assessments!!!
Here are three planting bed scenarios:
1.) A loose hedge that should be very narrow and about 1.20m (4 feet) tall, planted directly in front of a double wire mesh fence (1.2m (4 feet) high, 23m (75 feet) long). On this side of the property, there is no neighbor (so no additional distance is required). Here, I want to sacrifice as little space as possible in width and keep the planting airy along the length. The hedge can be planted directly at the fence and will not be allowed to grow wide.
--> Would a bed width of about 50–60cm (20–24 inches) be sufficient here?
2.) A bed with various ornamental grasses, perennials, small boxwoods, pampas grass, etc. (and whatever else my wife comes up with) directly in front of a wooden fence 27m (89 feet) long. This planting is also not meant to be expansive, but just allows some staggered planting.
--> Would a bed width of about 70–80cm (28–32 inches) be sufficient here?
3.) A small bed strip (5m / 16 feet) along the neighbor’s boundary where we want to plant something taller (about 2m (6.5 feet)). Possibly 2–4 narrow columnar trees, espalier trees, or something similar (e.g. columnar junipers). The trees should not become wide.
--> What do you think?
Many thanks!
We are currently working on the terrace and need to inform our landscaping contractor how to install the lawn edging stones. We are considering how wide our planting beds should be. Basically, we want to keep the beds as narrow as possible but as wide as necessary.
We would really appreciate any tips or assessments!!!
Here are three planting bed scenarios:
1.) A loose hedge that should be very narrow and about 1.20m (4 feet) tall, planted directly in front of a double wire mesh fence (1.2m (4 feet) high, 23m (75 feet) long). On this side of the property, there is no neighbor (so no additional distance is required). Here, I want to sacrifice as little space as possible in width and keep the planting airy along the length. The hedge can be planted directly at the fence and will not be allowed to grow wide.
--> Would a bed width of about 50–60cm (20–24 inches) be sufficient here?
2.) A bed with various ornamental grasses, perennials, small boxwoods, pampas grass, etc. (and whatever else my wife comes up with) directly in front of a wooden fence 27m (89 feet) long. This planting is also not meant to be expansive, but just allows some staggered planting.
--> Would a bed width of about 70–80cm (28–32 inches) be sufficient here?
3.) A small bed strip (5m / 16 feet) along the neighbor’s boundary where we want to plant something taller (about 2m (6.5 feet)). Possibly 2–4 narrow columnar trees, espalier trees, or something similar (e.g. columnar junipers). The trees should not become wide.
--> What do you think?
Many thanks!
W
WilderSueden17 Jul 2023 22:40I wouldn’t install any edging stones along the hedges. You can mow directly up to the hedge with a lawn mower, which creates a natural transition that is also visually pleasing. Crushed plantings tend to look rather mediocre.
I also believe you’re approaching this the wrong way. You have a long wish list but don’t want to allocate enough space for it. You shouldn’t start with less than one meter (3 feet). Plants need space not only above ground but also for their roots. Concrete edging stones don’t help in this regard.
I also believe you’re approaching this the wrong way. You have a long wish list but don’t want to allocate enough space for it. You shouldn’t start with less than one meter (3 feet). Plants need space not only above ground but also for their roots. Concrete edging stones don’t help in this regard.
Using narrow, straight strips is not beneficial for you or the plants.
As mentioned above, plants need space both above and below ground. They should also be visually effective.
Keep the required setback distance in mind. The strips should be about 80 to 100 cm deep (31 to 39 inches). If you really want to install lawn edges, I would recommend shaping them with curves and areas deeper than 100 cm (39 inches). This way, you can plant in two rows, more loosely, or have large solitary plants.
If you want to reduce work, choose plants suitable for the location—drought-tolerant and heat-resistant in sunny spots. Encourage deep rooting with proper watering, mulch adequately, and the maintenance will be manageable.
As mentioned above, plants need space both above and below ground. They should also be visually effective.
Keep the required setback distance in mind. The strips should be about 80 to 100 cm deep (31 to 39 inches). If you really want to install lawn edges, I would recommend shaping them with curves and areas deeper than 100 cm (39 inches). This way, you can plant in two rows, more loosely, or have large solitary plants.
If you want to reduce work, choose plants suitable for the location—drought-tolerant and heat-resistant in sunny spots. Encourage deep rooting with proper watering, mulch adequately, and the maintenance will be manageable.
Jasmin schrieb:
Good evening...It’s not a huge garden. We have two terraces, one of which is 40m² (430ft²). We also need space for all the kids’ stuff (swing, slide, etc.). So yes, the rest will be lawn.
WilderSueden schrieb:
I wouldn’t install edging stones along the hedges at all....I’ve taken a look at it without edging stones along the hedges, and that could actually be an option. Thanks for the tip.
The wishlist isn’t meant to be implemented fully. Our goal isn’t to squeeze everything listed into a narrow bed.
haydee schrieb:
Straight narrow strips won’t do you or the plants any favors.Whether straight or curved is certainly a matter of taste. Thank you very much for the advice.
Mabo111 schrieb:
> Is a flower bed about 50-60cm (20-24 inches) wide enough here? No. Even narrow hedges usually reach about 1 meter (39 inches) in width after just a few years, even when trimmed. To keep it so narrow that you don’t cut into the wood, you’ll likely need a lot of gardening experience.
Mabo111 schrieb:
> Is a flower bed about 70-80cm (28-31 inches) wide enough here? No.
I would advise against planting different species in a straight line. It looks better if you stagger them: smaller perennials or grasses in front of taller plants. Buy two or three gardening magazines to see what creates a fuller appearance.
As mentioned earlier: avoid using flower bed borders; stay flexible and simply cut back the lawn irregularly to make space for what you want to plant.
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