Covering an unsightly north facing wall
chicken chaser
Posts: 147
I am looking for something which will conceal/cover a single storey garage wall. Unfortunately its North facing so it does somewhat limit what grows there, and the added issue is that I would be looking to plant in a planter which I will build along the wall, about 18''x18''. Currently its concrete below, but I am planning on smashing it all up and laying gravel. It is right next to a manhole cover so I dont want to put it into the ground for fear of upsetting any foundations.
The area is fairly sheltered as its right next to the house, and 12 foot opposite is an extension of the house. We have to stare at this wall when looking out on the garden so would like something attractive which will cover the wall. Something evergreen would be a bonus!
Is it possible?
Posts
How about an ivy or a climbing hydrangea, ideal for a north facing wall apparently.
I was going to say hydrangea petiolaris, but that is a climbing hydrangea.
How about a winter flowering jasmine? Evergreen,small leaves, tough and no trouble, bright yellow flowers during mild spells in winter - loves north walls. Might need to attach wires to wall to spread out the branches which can then cascade down from the top - the branches are floppy rather than twining/climbing. Needs the occaisonal prune after flowering.
Hydrangea seemannii has very attractive evergreen foliage and creamy white flowers in summer.
BTW. Steady as you go with smashing up that concrete near the drains!
If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
Its part of a bigger project (the whole garden) but its something I wanted to get on with so I can get some coverage on it this summer into Autumn.
I've got a Trachelospermum Jasminoides which I planted last summer over the front of the house last year, and even though its on an east facing wall, its growing really well. I'd have loved to get it to grow over the garage but it'll be no good on a North wall.
Will Ivy or Hydrangea work in a planter?
You can see it just to the right of this shot. I'm planning on bricking that door up on the wall and running a planter right along. The garage will be coming down eventually to make way for an extension right across the back of the house, but its probably 7-8 years away so I want to make it as colourful as possible in the meantime. I'm planning on digging up all that concrete, and covering with membrane and gravel, perhaps putting a coldframe down under the window on the left as its not an area of the garden that is much used.
If it's only going to be in its pot for 7 or 8 years and you feed it and water it well, it should be OK, I think.
If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
Great, any tips on what varieties to go for?
I only know hydrangea seemannii from my own experience,
If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
I only know hydrangea petiolaris, but it isn't evergreen. Mine doesn't get much sun.
http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/hydrangea-anomala-subsp-petiolaris/classid.1665/
Do your Hydrangea's still grow well in little sun?