Suggestion for a hedge that will grow down a wall

Colm R

Please see the attached image. I took the photo with my back to the house, and I had the hill sloping to the house cut out, and wall you can see is acting as a retaining wall. The wall itself is about 20 meters long, with a small break in the middle for some steps.

Since the photo was taken, I have planted lawn seed last October, and its coming on ok, considering the cold weather.

My aim here is not to be able to see the wall from the house. The ground in front of the wall is totally unsuitable for any planting, due to drainage pipes and a lot of stone. Therefore, I would like to plant a hedge in the ground behind the wall. I don't want the hedge to grow too high, because I don't want to obstruct the view of the garden from the house. Instead I would like it to grow down in front of the wall.

Personally, I'm not a fan of a creeper type of plant, such as the Virgina Creeper, and would prefer it to look like a hedge. I would probably go with the creeper over the look of a block or plastered wall.

Oh, and ideally, I would like something that would flower in the spring and summer.


Am i asking for too much :cool:

Any ideas?

paddy147

Colm R wrote: »

Please see the attached image. I took the photo with my back to the house, and I had the hill sloping to the house cut out, and wall you can see is acting as a retaining wall. The wall itself is about 20 meters long, with a small break in the middle for some steps.

Since the photo was taken, I have planted lawn seed last October, and its coming on ok, considering the cold weather.

My aim here is not to be able to see the wall from the house. The ground in front of the wall is totally unsuitable for any planting, due to drainage pipes and a lot of stone. Therefore, I would like to plant a hedge in the ground behind the wall. I don't want the hedge to grow too high, because I don't want to obstruct the view of the garden from the house. Instead I would like it to grow down in front of the wall.

Personally, I'm not a fan of a creeper type of plant, such as the Virgina Creeper, and would prefer it to look like a hedge. I would probably go with the creeper over the look of a block or plastered wall.

Oh, and ideally, I would like something that would flower in the spring and summer.


Am i asking for too much :cool:

Any ideas?

You would have to seriously train a hedge to achieve any sort of the shape you require.

Why dont you dig out a trench infront of the wall,remove the hardcore and and (if you have to) move the drainage pipe by a foot or so..

Fill that trench with fresh soil mixed with compost,manure and grit.

Then plant a nice a small hedgerow in the ground infront of the wall and let this grow up to cover the blockwork.

Its alot easier to do this than what you might think..:)

Sonnenblumen

OP - there are many trees which naturally grow downwards, commonly referred to as weeping trees. Why even a child knows 'Weeping Willows' but there are many others including Birches, Pear, Cotoneaster etc to name but a few. Such trees can be seen practically everywhere and as the weeping habit suggests these trees naturally grow downwards. They do not require any no special care or attention in order to grow downwards.

However in this instance, trees are perhaps not feasible (height) but if you do not wish to use grow covering plants, perhaps you might consider plants used for embankment planting. There are several types including shrubs and herbaceous.

Although I would not be overly confident about the strength of what looks to be a 9" Hollow blocks being used to retain that amount of soil, you could for example consider planting trailing plants into the block hollows, eg aubrietia, carpet roses, ceanothus repens.

I hope you have also made some provision for minimising any potential pressure on wall due to water build up by incorporating weep holes?

Colm R

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I do have weep holes, and also substantial drainage under the soil throughout the garden, and directly behind the wall running to a nearby stream.

The roots of whatever plants will need to be a consideration so as not to damage the wall. Anyway, I'll have a look at some of the plants you've suggested.

paddy147

Colm R wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I do have weep holes, and also substantial drainage under the soil throughout the garden, and directly behind the wall running to a nearby stream.

The roots of whatever plants will need to be a consideration so as not to damage the wall. Anyway, I'll have a look at some of the plants you've suggested.

Best of luck with it.

Sounds good..........and also regarding having a nearby stream.:)

pwurple

There are some trailing alpines which would go very well over that wall. Plant them at the edge, and then hedge behind that row.

Try Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia). Yellow flowers all summer long.
http://www.lyndegreenhouse.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=plants.plantDetail&plant_id=184

Or aubretia 'purple cascade'


Aurina (yellow as well)
http://www.gartendatenbank.de/bilder_gross/aurinia-saxatilis


I recommended this in another thread a minute ago, but prostrate rosemary might go here too. You would need a few of them in a row of course, but they take a good clipping and look very hedge-like when mature. Rosmarinus prostratus.
http://www.gartendatenbank.de/photo/2010100507

Third pic down on this link for clipped prostrate rosemary over a wall.
http://www.pennywoodward.com.au/rosemary-for-remembrance/

Colm R

pwurple wrote: »

There are some trailing alpines which would go very well over that wall. Plant them at the edge, and then hedge behind that row.

Try Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia). Yellow flowers all summer long.
http://www.lyndegreenhouse.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=plants.plantDetail&plant_id=184

Or aubretia 'purple cascade'


Aurina (yellow as well)
http://www.gartendatenbank.de/bilder_gross/aurinia-saxatilis


I recommended this in another thread a minute ago, but prostrate rosemary might go here too. You would need a few of them in a row of course, but they take a good clipping and look very hedge-like when mature. Rosmarinus prostratus.
http://www.gartendatenbank.de/photo/2010100507

Third pic down on this link for clipped prostrate rosemary over a wall.
http://www.pennywoodward.com.au/rosemary-for-remembrance/

I am very drawn to the aubretia. It does look like a lovely plant. Would you have any link or website, that would show different plants and how they would look at different times of the year.

padi89

Would look at Cotoneaster Horizontalis and Winter Jasmine too they both scramble down walls, would provide Autumn and Winter Interest too.

pwurple

Colm R wrote: »

I am very drawn to the aubretia. It does look like a lovely plant. Would you have any link or website, that would show different plants and how they would look at different times of the year.

I usually use books, the DK series is pretty good, and should eb available in most libraries.
http://www.dk.co.uk/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9781405354233,00.html

For online, http://www.gartendatenbank.de is pretty good, but in german.

deandean

Broom - brushy plant with lovely yellow flower. Alternate with Pwurples offering if you live in Co. Wexford:D

Also CotoneAster, green with red berries - this'll stay tight to the wall.

Also Hebe (grows like mad, though).

paddy147

pwurple wrote: »

I usually use books, the DK series is pretty good, and should eb available in most libraries.
http://www.dk.co.uk/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9781405354233,00.html
.

Plenty of DK/RHS Gardening Books (various books including garden care,garden design,veggie plots and fruit/veg growing) available in Aldi at the moment for 4 euro.

You know and remember Aldi dont you????;):pac::D

pwurple

None of those are the encyclopedia I was talking about paddy. Ps, Are you sure you don't want to recommend a multistemmed birch for yet another ridiculous situation?

paddy147

pwurple wrote: »

None of those are the encyclopedia I was talking about paddy. Ps, Are you sure you don't want to recommend a multistemmed birch for yet another ridiculous situation?

Excuses excuses......

Shame you never posted or commented anymore on the Aldi Camellia thread.


Remember that??????

Why wouldnt you post any more on that thread then??????:::pac::D:D:D


You were too embarrassed.;):D

pwurple

Huh? No thanks, I don't need any crazy here. Try next door.

paddy147

pwurple wrote: »

Huh? No thanks, I don't need any crazy here. Try next door.

No problem.....and we both know why you wont respond on that thread too......its ok for you to be embarrassed.;):D





Enjoy your evening.