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mrsnesbitt

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 1576

Posted: Fri May 27, 05 2:40 pm Post subject:
It is a retaining wall Cab. The bushes that you see are Hawthorne and there are about three damson trees/bushes. Right at the very front of the pictures ie right next to the gate is a huge sycamore tree. Some roots roots are in our side and are covered in Ivy. I want colour if poss.

monkey1973

Joined: 17 Jan 2005
Posts: 683
Location: Bonnie scotland

Posted: Fri May 27, 05 3:02 pm Post subject:
To me there looks like there are enough gaps to get plenty alpines and herbs planted in the face of the wall. You could presumably plant bulbs and wild flowers in the grass at the top without having to remove it all. I would avoid removing the grass however, it does look like it is doing a good job holding that lot together.

mrsnesbitt

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 1576

Posted: Fri May 27, 05 3:05 pm Post subject:
so just keep the grass well clipped Monkey?

monkey1973

Joined: 17 Jan 2005
Posts: 683
Location: Bonnie scotland

Posted: Fri May 27, 05 3:09 pm Post subject:
Yeah I think so. Thats not to say that you can't remove some smalls sections inorder to squeeze in some colour etc. Just don't go overboard or you'll probably end up wishing you had left well alone. I speak from experience.

mrsnesbitt

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 1576

Posted: Fri May 27, 05 3:11 pm Post subject:
Thanks. I have so much to do in the garden, am trying to make a list and work through it. I need all the help and tips I can get!

monkey1973

Joined: 17 Jan 2005
Posts: 683
Location: Bonnie scotland

Posted: Fri May 27, 05 3:14 pm Post subject:
I make lists all the time though rarely end up sticking to them. The first task normally diverts onto a completely unlisted task and then the whole thing snowballs out of control. But as I say to my GLW if everything was finished what would I do all day!

cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Fri May 27, 05 3:55 pm Post subject:
Monkeys advice seems good to me. I'll add that I'd be awfully careful with it, just because taking out too much grass will not only ruin the look, but can weaken the wall, which if it's a retaining wall could ruin your whole day.

mrsnesbitt

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 1576

Posted: Fri May 27, 05 5:23 pm Post subject:
I will clip the grass back and plant some things into the wall...I do want colour. Any ideas for all year colour please? I will get all the grass off the drive though. I will post a picture when it is done.

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Fri May 27, 05 6:16 pm Post subject:
Only just seen this. Definately cut back and plant a bit between. If the wall is old it is the roots that will be holding it all together, as weather would definately have damaged the original structure.

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Fri May 27, 05 7:54 pm Post subject:

mrsnesbitt wrote:

I will clip the grass back and plant some things into the wall...I do want colour. Any ideas for all year colour please? .

All the walls near us are full of Campanula. They seem to flower for about nine months of the year.

ButteryHOLsomeness

Joined: 03 Apr 2005
Posts: 770

Posted: Fri May 27, 05 9:27 pm Post subject:

mrsnesbitt wrote:

here's some more pics......how is the best way to get rid of the grass?
D

A goat?

ButteryHOLsomeness

Joined: 03 Apr 2005
Posts: 770

Posted: Fri May 27, 05 9:29 pm Post subject:

Andy B wrote:

tahir wrote:

Flame gun and then cover?

Thats what we like environment friendly gardening.

heather is burnt to the ground every few years to regenerate the areas where it grows.

though personally i like my idea of the goat better

ButteryHOLsomeness

Joined: 03 Apr 2005
Posts: 770

Posted: Fri May 27, 05 9:32 pm Post subject:

mrsnesbitt wrote:

I will clip the grass back and plant some things into the wall...I do want colour. Any ideas for all year colour please? I will get all the grass off the drive though. I will post a picture when it is done.

nasturtiums look gorgeous tumbling over a wall and they are edible too!

Lloyd

Joined: 24 Jan 2005
Posts: 2699

Posted: Fri May 27, 05 10:11 pm Post subject:
Sorted your border edges out yet MrsN?

nettie

Joined: 02 Dec 2004
Posts: 5888
Location: Suffolk

Posted: Fri May 27, 05 10:46 pm Post subject:

Snow in Summer is lovely this time of year but it spreads like mad, you could also try aubretia and sea thrift, although the flowering season for those won't last much longer. There are many types of campanula, most are tall, but I think the one people are referring to is campanula carpatica, which (I believe, someone correct me if i'm wrong)is the low growing one with purply blue flowers. you usually get a good show from those twice a year. Last year i got a low growing scabious from B&Q which hasn't stopped flowering since, you could plant bugle for lovely purply green leaves, (good ground cover and good in shade) and some primula vulgaris would look stunning in late winter/early spring. Another good one might be fleabane for a good spread and a long show of pinky purple flowers in summer. Oh and London Pride is low-growing, evergreen and will do well in sun or shade.

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