Plant suggestions to soften trampoline

ObliqueGeek

Hi All, 

So far back left of my garden, I'm in the process of sinking the trampoline so it's level(ish) with the lawn. Back will be flush, front will be slightly raised due to the slope of the garden. 

There is a small area all around the trampoline that I'd like to fill to soften/screen the trampoline further. The netting will remain. 

I've added a pic, please excuse the state of the garden and pretend the upside down paddling pool isn't there! To the right of the trampoline, on neighbours side is lots of Lilac, behind the trampoline is a huge Euonymus, to the left (where I've drawn the red line) is a small Oak tree on our side. I'm looking to fill the yellow marked areas. 

Garden faces north east, so that corner gets direct sun from around 11am until about 3pm (maybe a little more) as the sun moves around, otherwise it's pretty shady. Topsoil is thin and under that it's chalky, and quite dry with the tree and the Euonymus. Don't want anything sharp or too delicate for obvious reasons. 

Rest of the garden will eventually by a mix of coastal/tropical and some more native plants. 

Open to any suggestions for plants to go around here. 

Thanks in advance

Loxley

Phyllostachys would be idea, you could put a vertical root barrier in place just in case it decided to run at the root.

Dovefromabove

I was thinking about some of the taller grasses ... something like this 

https://www.vanmeuwen.com/p/calamagrostis-x-acutiflora-karl-foerster/V59564VM

ObliqueGeek

I did think about some sort of Bamboo, we have some to go in along the fence in places, on the other side of the garden. The only things that was making me think not, is the amount it drops and the mess underneath. Especially with chippings under the swings so close, and I wondered if it might be a bit hard/sharp (especially if there's some broken canes) so close to where the kids will be playing, jumping, etc. Wouldn't want anyone getting impaled!

I guess a tall grass would work though, bit of a softer landing zone if there are any accidents, assuming it's not sharp like a pampas grass?

Dovefromabove

The one I’ve linked to is pretty soft ... no danger of kebab-ing the offsprung 😉 

Itll need cutting back in the spring but that’ll give you a chance to clear any detritus (lost socks, younger brothers etc) and it’ll soon grow again ready for the summer bounce-athon 😂 

Just a word of warning ... don’t get on the trampoline yourself ... I was perfectly fit and able and only 40 when I was invited to join my small niece on hers ... I didn’t even get to bounce ... the unstable surface made my knees flex too far the wrong way 😱 and my ACLigament snapped. It’s not repairable and has caused me endless trouble ever since 😭 

Fine for youngsters ... adults are best off supervising from a comfy sun lounger  😉 

Pete.8

Re. Dove's suggestion - I have a group of 8 Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' in a line in front of a fence and they look really good.
They remain bolt upright despite strong gusty winds and they don't spread out much so they give a neat 'architectural' look.
I leave them over winter as they still look great in the winter sun and then when I see new growth emerging around March/April I cut everything down to ground level and they repeat the performance.
They're easy to divide too (I just bought 4 originally). Once they're growing well in the spring dig them up, divide them in half using a spade and replant.

No sharp leaves either

Loxley

Funnily enough Calamagrostis KF was my first thought, but then I looked at how small the spaces around the trampoline are - especially between it and the swings. Would it's stiff upright growth be spoiled and / or will it get trampled? Or are your children well trained re not trampling your plants

ObliqueGeek

I've already suffered on the trampoline when we first got it, found out I'm not as bendy as I used to be, won't be making that mistake again!

The KF looks perfect for the space to the right.

To the left, at the narrowest point it's about 15" of soil between the sleeper and the trampoline. In terms of 'air space' above ground, because the netting and swings are set back a bit, it's probably closer to 3.5' width between the two.

Towards the back on the left, there isn't a huge amount of height due to the Oak Tree, but my concern is that the triangle of space around the tree is very shallow and full of roots.  

I'm not precious about the plants too much, I understand that because of where they are they will take a beating!

karen paul

I have a similar situation. I have large containers of bamboo and a tetrapanax (neither of which are tall enough to screen it yet) The net on ours is fairly taut and set on the inside edge of the springs like yours so I don't think the children would be in danger of getting spiked as long as any broken bamboo isn't leaning inwards. Maybe you could improve the condition of the soil if you wanted a certain type of plant. I find fatsia japonica to be as tough as old boots too which grows fast and would suit a tropical theme. I'm toying with the idea of adding poles somehow (maybe someone is getting rid of broken trampoline parts on Freecycle etc) and joining them at the top to make it look like a giant vintage birdcage, lol. I know the idea sounds awful but I would grow climbers up each pole to make it blend into the garden and when my child has grown up I could remove the bounce mat and the net and hang a relaxing hammock in there Our trampoline isn't sunken though, it's just stuck in the middle of our small garden like a huge carbuncle.

ObliqueGeek

Personally, I hate the trampoline, much bigger than I expected and don't get me started on the colour! But it gets so much use, and will be around for a fair few years yet, so thought I might as well incorporate it better into the garden a bit. Will be replacing the orange padding with green or black once it's sunk, and hopefully find a way to colour the orange edging of the netting. 

karen paul

Here's the offending article in my garden, I'm glad its got a green edge to it at least. It was in a corner next to the shed but my little boy didn't use it there and then in the winter gales it literally got picked up by the wind and blown to the middle, hence some poles are bent the wrong way or slightly broken but still perfectly safe. Anyway my lad wants it to stay there so I may aswell utilise the poles for growing climbers. There's a passion flower, honeysuckle and clematis just starting to wind around the poles (I'll have to watch they don't damage the net by clinging to that though) Anything to hide the big ugly thing! There's big rocks on the base poles to try and prevent it from being blown again, my kitchen window had a very narrow escape from being smashed!