Ideas for filling in this gap please

sammyroser

Their are plenty of perennials that grow happy in the shade, Astilbes in particular grow well in shade and happy in pots.

Campanula Bellflowers
Foxgloves
Primrose
Violet
Bee Balm

And if you don't mind replanting year on year some annuals are

Alyssum
Impatiens
Lobelia
Cleome Spider Flower
Calendula
Baby Blue Eyes
Snapdragon

Some of these are larger then other plants so you could do an assortment of pots in three different sizes or pick a couple of the smaller plants to put in a large pot.

Or a bit more pricey an option is to have a large wooden planter there which will completely fill the gap.

And if all that fails I'd suggest a beehive

valk_scot

I'd just buy a trellis panel and put it there, then start training the honesuckle across. Or you could plant some swet peas in a pot and put it at the base of the trellis.

Alternatively a bit of chain or rope plus a No Entry sign might do the trick?

Debt_Free_Chick

Judi wrote: »

I like the idea of the landmine... as long as it doesnt damage my property.

:beer:

Love the idea of the rose bush/climber but that spot is fairly sheltered by conifer trees. I doubt if there would be enough light

I was going to mention that conifer. It's not just the light, though - conifers "rob" the soil so growing anything next/near is going to be difficult, unless it's in a container.

To be honest, I'd prop a piece of trellis to block the gap in the short term. Otherwise, you'll need to buy a decent sized shrub in a big pot, which is going to be expensive :eek:

How deep is the soil? Is planting another shrub feasible? If so, a laurel might work. In the short term, Euonymus grows quickly and would probably work in that space either in a pot or in the ground. Examples here

Otherwise, let me know when you want that landmine

Queen_Latifah

valk_scot wrote: »

I'd just buy a trellis panel and put it there, then start training the honesuckle across. Or you could plant some swet peas in a pot and put it at the base of the trellis.

Alternatively a bit of chain or rope plus a No Entry sign might do the trick?

From the photo, it looks like there is already a chain across.

Money_maker

Maybe more chain is required, could zig zag upwards.

Or wedge a dustbin in.

Pot of bamboo would work well.

valk_scot

Queen_Latifah wrote: »

From the photo, it looks like there is already a chain across.

It's at ankle height though. What's the point in that? To stop the garden gnomes wandering off?

Davesnave

As these are known as 'Pathways of Desire' and the soil is impoverished, the solution is clearly an appropriate statue, such as a life size Venus de Milo. :cool:

If that doesn't sound very MSE, you could always fashion something from discarded lager cans. Here's one I made earlier:

torbrex

I have lupins in a large planter in my front garden and they do well every year but could I suggest a Berberis, they also grow well in planters and as long as you keep them watered in dry spells and sheltered in extended cold spell you will have colour (and thorns) all year rather than just summer with the lupins.
You could of course put in a large trough and have both

System

valk_scot wrote: »

It's at ankle height though. What's the point in that? To stop the garden gnomes wandering off?

Its a bit higher than ankle high, it comes up to my knee which would be great for keeping short people out but unfortunately my Dad didnt think of that when he put it in place (he was short too).

Sammyrose thanks for the suggestions, i am growing some impatiens from seed at the moment and i love primulas and violets (i have some violas growing in hanging baskets at the moment) and plenty of seed to grow more.

And if all that fails I'd suggest a beehive

Since it would be close to my neighbours front door i think he'd have something to say about that.:D

Or wedge a dustbin in.

Good idea but i prefer your bamboo pot idea... thanks.

Davesnave, i love the idea of a statue made out of beercans however, since neither me and my husband drink lager (or beer... or anything really) it would take forever to collect as many as i'd need.... plus the fact i'd rather not be known as the batty couple in the area for our choice of garden ornament. Great suggestion though.

Love your ideas so far peeps.

WestonDave

We had a nice upright red/purple berberis which is thorny. If you paid £15- £20 for one from a garden centre it would already be big enough to partly block the gap and also make a statement that you don't want it being used as a shortcut. They grow reasonably but if you choose a specific upright one they tend not to spread as much.