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Plant options for thin strip of grass

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  • 07-08-2022 7:16pm
    #1
    Curse These Metal Hands
    Registered Users Posts: 1,076 ✭✭✭


    Hello,

    I know nothing about gardening but I'm looking for some ideas for what to sow along the pictured strip of grass that might provide some added privacy from the road. I don't really want to plant a hedge because I'd like to be able to keep some of the wall visible. I like the idea of a small tree or two but would roots eventually be cause for concern for the wall and driveway? And also is there sufficient space there for a tree?


    Thanks.

    IMG_20220807_191428.jpg




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    #2
    looksee
    Registered Users Posts: 28,429 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    There really isn't enough room for a tree there. It appears to be about 12" wide at most? And some of that will be taken up by foundations for the wall. It would make a mess of the path pretty quickly, might not damage the wall but I wouldn't like to offer any guarantees.

    Could you consider taking up some of the pavers and re-arranging them to create half circle/square indents into the drive? Would there be enough space in the drive?

    If you really want a tree I might suggest crab apple - I had one growing tight to a wall and it didn't do any damage and didn't seem to be affected by it. I believe they don't have spreading roots. It really isn't an ideal situation though.



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    #3
    blackbox
    Registered Users Posts: 4,312 ✭✭✭blackbox


    Roses?



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    #4
    Jim_Hodge
    Registered Users Posts: 10,686 ✭✭✭✭Jim_Hodge


    To me it's too narrow for anything worthwhile. I'd take it out and pave it, as the wall foundations are also a factor. I'd certainly not put any tree or shrub if you value your paving. A planting of annuals among a few perennial flowers might work.



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    #5
    standardg60
    Registered Users Posts: 4,691 ✭✭✭standardg60


    Agree there would be no guarantee about disruption to the paving but something slow and well behaved like Sorbus 'joseph rock' would be an option for me.



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    #6
    Seth Brundle
    Moderators, Politics Moderators Posts: 39,714 Mod ✭✭✭✭Seth Brundle


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119442821#Comment_119442821

    Why would you pave it? Grass, various flower types, roses or other small shrubs all would probably do fine there. Far too much paving, tarmac and concrete in urban areas just for the sake if it.



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    #7
    looksee
    Registered Users Posts: 28,429 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119443158#Comment_119443158

    I think (he) was echoing my observation about a tree of any sort disturbing the paving. It was JH who suggested infilling it.

    I had forgotten about roses, I agree they might be an option.



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    #8
    Curse These Metal Hands
    Registered Users Posts: 1,076 ✭✭✭Curse These Metal Hands


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119442613#Comment_119442613

    It's 30" at the widest part and narrows to 12".

    Roses would definitely be something to consider. I'd prefer not to touch the paving and would rather leave the strip of green there than pave over it.


    Someone mentioned viburnams, a variety that grows quite talk but has a shallow root system. Anybody any experience with those?



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    #9
    looksee
    Registered Users Posts: 28,429 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    I'd be less confident about vibernum because it has a shallow root system. It will spread at a surface level whereas something with a less spreading, deeper root would not affect the paving as much.

    30" is a much more reasonable width, you could put a small growing tree in that kind of space, just avoid things like birch that have a surface root system - I had a birch (in a house I moved into) where a massive root had grown through leaf debris on top of a solid concrete slab. When we moved all the debris off the slab we had a root system to deal with!



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    #10
    mrskinner
    Registered Users Posts: 391 ✭✭mrskinner


    decorative stones?



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    #11
    standardg60
    Registered Users Posts: 4,691 ✭✭✭standardg60


    Anyone for cordylines? :-)



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    #12
    Curse These Metal Hands
    Registered Users Posts: 1,076 ✭✭✭Curse These Metal Hands


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119442821#Comment_119442821

    I love the look of this one. I'd like to make a go of that is people reckon the 30 inch space is reasonable.



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    #13
    Curse These Metal Hands
    Registered Users Posts: 1,076 ✭✭✭Curse These Metal Hands


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119445315#Comment_119445315

    I still have nightmares about cutting the grass as a kid in our garden filled with those 😂



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    #14
    standardg60
    Registered Users Posts: 4,691 ✭✭✭standardg60


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119446223#Comment_119446223

    Before you buy anything dig a test hole to make sure you have enough space to plant the rootball and there isn't just a pile of concrete



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    #15
    anewme
    Registered Users Posts: 11,946 ✭✭✭✭anewme


    Could you make it into an edge, fill with decorative stone and place some pots on top. You will be getting interest with decorative stone and still have the softer effect of planting with the pots. A lot easier to manage as well.

    I did something similar, though my area was wider and more even and it looks very well.



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