"MM" wrote
But I have absolutely no idea what I want! I have a brand-new house
with a rectangular area behind nominated as 'the garden'. The builder
kindly installed a small patio, but the rest is just very soggy soil.
Thus I have a clean slate. Where the heck do I start? I am not a
gardener, but have dabbled in the past, even removing a tree, sifting
soil of stones, planting shrubs, that kind of thing. But I can't tell
the diff between a marigold and a hollyhock, unless you point it out
to me first. However, I do know what I like when I see it! I see lots
of gardens, some of which I like, many of which I don't. I quite like
the idea of a minimalist garden, one with lots of interesting
pathways, and small lawned areas to break the monotony.

What I need is ideas that I can see in 3D, then play around with in my
mind. Most of all, I haven't got oodles of cash to spend. This garden
needs to look its best on a shoestring budget.

Is there a gardening book containing nothing but suggested layouts?
That might be a useful altermative.
MM

The local library should have a supply of books on garden design.

I've lots of 'design' links on my home page which might be useful:
http://members.rott.chello.nl/ldejag...ardenlinks.htm

Go to garden shows and make notes.

Peer over peoples fences ........

Jenny