Changes made to the Front Garden,

It is fantastic - great pictures - our front garden isn't too good at the moment - lots to look at in yours :)

I think it looks quite smart, and will soften when the arch has some greenery on it. What have you planted to go over it.

Paul, comments appreciated.

Sylvia one side has the rose `Mortimer Sackler`together with clematis `pamjatj serdtza` and on the other side a honeysuckle `scentsation` they were all planted earlier this year and the perfume was gorgous.

I agree with Cinders, it will soften as the plants grow over your arch. I think your layout looks interesting and invites exploration :)

You can live with it through the months ahead and I bet when things start to grow/flourish you will be very proud of your efforts, Stroller. And perfumed flowers...well it doesn't get any better than that :) Well done!

I like your choice Stroller, I'm sure it will be lovely

I think its great Stroller, like all new gardens it looks stark until the plants grow and soften it. Wait till the spring comes!

Firstly, congratulations. I think you have done wonders. However, if it helps, the romantic feel that you are seeking, is probably difficult to achieve with a straight path. Romace is normally created with soft curves, like your gravel path. Additionally, the arch is angular, which doesn't help.
Me? I'd do what others suggest. Wait for the arch to soften with planting, but I'd remove that straight path, add some curved step downs, and meld a path into your gravel path, and change it's direction to the front door. Any other angles can be removed over time; fence panels, posts, little roof and wheel barrow, all by replacing or adding planting.
The arch, bye the way, has excellent corners, from which hanging baskets can be attached, planted up with hardy evergreens, that will climb over the corners and cascade.
Anyway, apart from my miserable thoughts, it is already looking splendid :)

It might look a bit bare and harsh at the moment(although I think it looks interesting) but when the plants have grown it will look more like what you want i think.
Especially if you get something nice to grow over that lovely arch :o)

Thank you one and all for taking your time to give me feedback.
I think you are right Jasonf about the straight path., perhaps if I took up the slabs and used the same slate and curved it from the steps and through the arch
it would look better. Probalbly serve us better if we have any snow this year as it would melt away through it.
I would love new steps but unfortunately money is a little tight at the moment and it is something that I couldn`t do myself.
You have, however, given me plenty to think about.

It looks great. If they have a local " IN BLOOM" competition in the summer, don't hesitate to enter it. Just one thing I would change, turn the wheelbarrow round to face the street and let it greet you when you arrive home. :o))

think I would have had the arch at the end of the gravel path more at an angle, but it all looks good you only think of it as strange because it is new to your eye. you will get more used to it Stroller with time.

Oliveoil, I had the arch like that so that looking from the front of the house when the rose, clematis and honeysuckle get going it will from the front door.
Littlelegs thank you so much for your compliment, but I feel to amateurish to enter any competitions.

well I think it looks absolutely wonderful, you don't need to change a thing, well done for all your hard work, it certainly paid off.

When I looked at the first two pictures, I thought - oooh! This looks good - then I looked at the straight path, and I do think that's rather a missed opportunity. You have lovely curves in the rest of the area - except that. I do realise that it would be a horrible task to move all the slabs, though.

May I ask - is that soil next to the straight path? Are you going to plant it up?

You've got a lot of different leaf shapes and colours in there. :-)))

You have worked hard Stroller,and its a credit to you.I would leave it as it is,as like all other comments suggest,you will soon soften the edges of the path with planting.If you are like me,you will need an easy walk to the front gate,as we have to wheel the bins to the road,unless of course ,they come to the back of your house..sometimes we have to have practical reasons,and as you say,it will be another expense....just enjoy what you have achieved already.:o)

How about some Lavender alongside the path to soften the straight lines ... it would draw your eyes over to the planting and not the path itself. Grey-green foliage would tone in with the gravel too ... just my thoughts! : o ))

Spritz, yes it is soil next to the horrible path but as Olive commented for practical reasons it needs to be there. By the way Olive I`ve just noted a mistake earlier I meant to say - to frame the front door.
However I like Shirley`s idea of planting Lavender alongside of it. Oh dear the whole idea was to have less planting to look after. I`m between the devil and the deep blue sea as I really didn`t want to use more slate/gravel I hate it.!.

If you do go with the Lavender hedging idea, Stroller, there are so many to choose from these days. I have one in the front gravelled area, covered in Bees all Summer and no maintennce required at all! It's on page 1 of my garden photos. I'll just trim off the flower heads and that's it. Simples ....... : o ))