Covering or hiding old tree stumps

steebe

I have spent the summer clearing up a tired old garden. I have removed some a laurel tree and  some larish shrubs. These were all in a bad condition or were just in the wrong place blocking light for both us and my neighbour.

Now they have been removed can anyone suggest how i hide the stumps and roots. I have removed all that I can and what's left is just to big to remove with the aid of a mechanical digger.

I am looking something to ground round, over on top etc

 

 

Fairygirl

Hi steebe. What sort of aspect is it? Shade or sun? If you can build the area up a bit with more soil and compost that will help too, and the ground will probably need a bit of nourishment anyway after taking big shrubs out. Periwinkle is useful in almost all situations especially shady areas. Heucheras, Epimediums, Hardy Geraniums are all pretty suitable unless it's really hot and sunny. Euphorbias if it's drier 

waterbutts

We planted a small leaved, variegated ivy over a three foot wide tree stump and it has done a good job of hiding it. Not too vigorous a grower so easy to keep in shape, and it has bluebell and  daffodil bulbs under it so the flowers poke through in the spring when it's looking a bit weary.

steebe

thanks guys for the advice.

Most of the stumps i am trying to disguise are in a north facing back garden along a boundry fence and received a good amount of sun over the day. Most of the roots and the smallers stumps i have got out. the remaing two or three are now down to ground level

Once stump is nice a flat and will take a pot sitting on top, the surrounding area i was thinking of geraniums or periwinkle to hide the soil and thick roots around the stumps

Fairygirl

You could put some climbers in as well if there's a fence. Euonymous will grow up against a  fence if planted at the foot of it too. Cotoneaster will as well.

Carol Rennison

Why not make a featuree of it - maybe if you can afford it buy a water feature which bubbles over. I have had experience of having Vinca (Periwinkle) in a garden and it does spread everywhere. I would favour a very lovely pot in your colour choice and grow a Hydrangea or Rhododendron in it but you would have to check if the plant needs Ericaceous compost or not.

bookmonster

We have ferns growing round the stump in our garden, and soloman's seal. The stump is a foot or so high, and totally covered by the foliage. We were aiming to make a feature of it in a 'woodland ' corner.

steebe

thanks for all the ideas. Unfortunatley the stumps have been cut down to soil level and so  i am unable to make a feature of these, which is s shame as a fern and stump area would have been cool.

I am thinking i am now just going to plant round and next the old stums and roots with the aim of covering and hiding behind things like Rudbeckia and other perennials like that

CluelessGardener

stepping stones or even add more logs to make a patio ?

James