Plant idea needed....

missimaxo

I have just finished building an arbour.... and I need an idea what to plant around the base. I have planted 2 bare root yellow climbing roses to eventually grow up it. Unfortunately we ended up concreting in the uprights and therefore right around the base are 4 lumps of concrete covered with about 2-3 inches of soil. I initially fancied planting crocosmia... but these need to go in ar 4inches so these are out. Does anyone else have any ideas for something fairly shallow rooted that can sort of bush out from around the base? I would ideally like something evergreen or something flowery... not too low growing as I want to hide the metposts holding up the arbour. Thx

tanith

There isn't a lot that will grow with a lump of concrete below it.. can you not plant beyond the concrete anything bushy will soon cover the gap between the plant and the posts..

missimaxo

That was the plan for the outside of the arbour... on the inside is only a small gap but I would like to try and hide it.... thats why I wondered if anything shallow rooted might fit... but my knowledge of plants is pretty limited lol! I was gutted to gave to concrete them in but we had no choice

tanith

Ah! I see , well the only thing I could think of would be alpines but they aren't very bushy or maybe an ornamental grass they are quite shallow rooted but 2/3 ins might just be too shallow as there isn't anything for them to anchor themselves on if its just concrete below..

Kyrae

How about planting a bit of ivy to climb up? Think that'd take root in shallow soil? Might need a bit of maintainance to stop it overgrowing though.

lostinrates

Can you not train your roses around the posts to cover the unsightly bit?

ladylouise62

Maybe take a look at the sorts of plants used in rock gardens. Sempervivums (House Leek) might do. The best thing would be something like Mind-your-own-business as I can confirm that it grows in almost no soil... but it is very invasive.