Gardening and Greenhouse

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Tons of bench plans on this site
http://www.woodworkersworkshop.com/resources/index.php?cat=102

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The most otherworldly plants are usually desert plants because they have been created to live in a very hostile environment. Try to avoid normal leaves in the plants you chose, or at least minimal leaves. UK has some warm er areas, and if you live in one, that makes it easier. But look for plants from desert areas that are also cool-weather. Many South African plants have varieties that grow in say, the Drakensberg Mountains and can handle frosts. (Some aloes, some ice plants, some proteas, etc) There are desert areas of the US that are cool or even cold, and plants from there can handle the cold (some cactus like certain Opuntias; some yuccas like Joshua Tree.) Availability may be difficult; you may have to mail-order or find a rare plant dealer. Do not irrigate, and put plastic down over the roots of those plants that need little water.
The rocks you place should be holey-looking, corroded looking, not smooth or nearly-smooth. On the other hand, your garden furniture should be extremely simple with shiny metal like aluminum and smooth surfaces, as light fixtures should be. Think “The Jetson’s” cartoon show.
One more thing- do not over-clutter anything. Simple and sparse looks more like Mars!

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Check local garden centres, gardening design books, the internet and you can ask for advice from your gardening groups it just depends what you really want to do with the space you have got

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Where do you live and what is your climate like?

I can do garden design, but I prefer to use indigenous/ endemic plants from your area because it is more Eco friendly.

Send me the details, by clicking on my avatar, and your e-mail address and I’ll tell you if I can do it or not.

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I would put a retaining wall across the back arch of the gravel area. You can build a shorter wall in front of that to make into planting areas. You can also include the water feature in the center of the retaining wall, maybe just a small feature as you dont have tons of space back there. A greek head on the wall with water coming from it to a small pool down below which can be recycled. A nice flowering tree at each end of the wall to help with retention, beds below the trees. Planters on the gravel surface which can actually be very nice if you keep going smaller and smaller with the stone. You can put a medallion or such in the middle of the gravel area. To the left or the right could be for grilling and the seating area would be centered over the medallion area. I would plant colorful plants for full summer color and allow some to grow over the edge softening the stone. Planters up on the patio and maybe window boxes also. Good Luck

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Japanese gardening is a philosophy and art. Less is more. Even a stone can be an important element in a Japanese garden.

Look at lots of pictures and see what kind you like. Then determine what you can grow in yor zone and narrow your plant list down.The first link is excellent nad has design plans.

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Your best bet if you can afford it is to go to a local independent nursery – look in your yellow pages.
These small nurseries are far more likely to have plants which have tolerance for your own local climate/conditions.
The larger supermarket type stores (homebase, b& q etc) tend to import from outside the country and plants can frequently fail when introduced to the british climate.
Of course I don’t actually know that you are in britain- but the same holds true wherever you are – buying local is generally best so that the plants are acclimatised.

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One idea is to build a wood bird house and decorate with glass beads or tiles that you can find at Michaels or Hobby Lobby. The cost depends on the size and personal choices.