Courtyard / Wildlife garden

This the garden I was working in today , it may not look it but for various reasons its my favourite .
When I go to someones garden to design there is a quiet interview process going on . What I try to find out is what that persons likes and dislikes are.
The lady that owns this garden (she is retired )likes to have a cup of coffee outside in the mornings doing her crossword , she likes all kinds of wildlife , she has a large extended family and entertains a lot , she babysits her grandchildren ,
and likes to sit out in the evening with friends with a glass of wine and she likes her privacy.

This is a regular suburban garden in Dublin about 30 x 70 feet , there was a broken down glasshouse in the middle and the brick patio was already there .Although the patio was crudely laid I recognised that it had a real charm about it .

I repaired the glasshouse and put in an archway to devide the garden . Next was the raised circular patio outside the glasshouse door . I put in a new floor in the glasshouse and planted the edges with pelergoniums

the back part of the garden is the wildlife area which is planted with Birch , Rasberries Apple , pear , Thornless blackberries ,Mallow . None of the fruit is collected , its all left for the birds and wildlife . Its underplanted with native Irish wild flowers

Another view with the little birdbath I rescued and remade

The garden is now 5 years old and requires 2 visits per year of 3 hours maintenance and this is the only maintenance it requires .

Cool

Bugs

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Ted: I'm not a fascist. I'm a priest. Fascists dress up in black and tell people what to do. Whereas priests...

Gardenstew wrote:

What state of disrepair was the glasshouse in when you had to repair it. I wasn't aware you were a bit of a DIY-er as well.

The glasshouse was falling down .
I do Carpentry , plumbing , electrical , brickwork , stonework , plastering , roofing , painting and decorating , my friends say no ones trade is safe when I'm around Laughing

When I was in my 20s I had very little money ,I built my first house with absolutely no knowledge of building but I asked questions of every tradesman I know and went ahead and did it . Mrs.Bugs used to think Iwas wonderful Laughing

I have great admiration of anyone who wants to learn something new. Now I try to share that knowledge with others .
ps Laughing

That first house is still standing
Cool

Bugs

_________________
Ted: I'm not a fascist. I'm a priest. Fascists dress up in black and tell people what to do. Whereas priests...