Growing (annuals?) next to neighbour’s house wall

whitesatin

Before our time here, the previous owners created a block driveway, leaving a narrow trench filled with gravel between our drive and next door’s Victorian terrace.  The house is rented on a regular, ever changing basis so I can’t consult the owner.  I’d like to soften the look a bit and maybe plant some low, pretty summer flowers.  I can’t see a damp course and don’t want to damage their wall, knowingly.   It’s not a deep trench, maybe 9”, in a v-shape downwards.   Would it be ok to put compost in the trench and plant something pretty or would I be better to sit some potted plants in the trench in the hope that they’ll retain the water?

twopenny

The chance is that putting enough compost in there will hold the water against their wall. You'll want to water them daily and that and the rain may leave stains on the wall.

You could use long decorative pots, painted wooden planters or groups of different sizes, even grow shrubs and climbing roses if the tub held a trellis.

I've sunk some plastic pipe with holes drilled in the sides near the bottom to water in summer. Makes it easier to do and the water spreads out at different levels in the pot so they don't just get watered at the top.

Mojisola

whitesatin said:

Before our time here, the previous owners created a block driveway, leaving a narrow trench filled with gravel between our drive and next door’s Victorian terrace.

Would it be ok to put compost in the trench and plant something pretty or would I be better to sit some potted plants in the trench in the hope that they’ll retain the water?

This sounds like a french drain.  If you fill it full of compost, you could well find you cause damp in the neighbour's property and will be responsible for any damage that results from this.

whitesatin

twopenny said:

The chance is that putting enough compost in there will hold the water against their wall. You'll want to water them daily and that and the rain may leave stains on the wall.

You could use long decorative pots, painted wooden planters or groups of different sizes, even grow shrubs and climbing roses if the tub held a trellis.

I've sunk some plastic pipe with holes drilled in the sides near the bottom to water in summer. Makes it easier to do and the water spreads out at different levels in the pot so they don't just get watered at the top.

Thank you very much for your suggestions.  I’ll definitely look into doing that. 

whitesatin

Mojisola said:

whitesatin said:

Before our time here, the previous owners created a block driveway, leaving a narrow trench filled with gravel between our drive and next door’s Victorian terrace.

Would it be ok to put compost in the trench and plant something pretty or would I be better to sit some potted plants in the trench in the hope that they’ll retain the water?

This sounds like a french drain.  If you fill it full of compost, you could well find you cause damp in the neighbour's property and will be responsible for any damage that results from this.

Mojisola said:

whitesatin said:

Before our time here, the previous owners created a block driveway, leaving a narrow trench filled with gravel between our drive and next door’s Victorian terrace.

Would it be ok to put compost in the trench and plant something pretty or would I be better to sit some potted plants in the trench in the hope that they’ll retain the water?

This sounds like a french drain.  If you fill it full of compost, you could well find you cause damp in the neighbour's property and will be responsible for any damage that results from this.

Mojisola said:

whitesatin said:

Before our time here, the previous owners created a block driveway, leaving a narrow trench filled with gravel between our drive and next door’s Victorian terrace.

Would it be ok to put compost in the trench and plant something pretty or would I be better to sit some potted plants in the trench in the hope that they’ll retain the water?

This sounds like a french drain.  If you fill it full of compost, you could well find you cause damp in the neighbour's property and will be responsible for any damage that results from this.

Mojisola said:

whitesatin said:

Before our time here, the previous owners created a block driveway, leaving a narrow trench filled with gravel between our drive and next door’s Victorian terrace.

Would it be ok to put compost in the trench and plant something pretty or would I be better to sit some potted plants in the trench in the hope that they’ll retain the water?

This sounds like a french drain.  If you fill it full of compost, you could well find you cause damp in the neighbour's property and will be responsible for any damage that results from this.

Thanks, I definitely don’t want that to happen. 

[Deleted User]

I think the suggestion made by @twopenny is probably the way to go.

Online, or physically, you can buy pots of varying, large, sizes and this would allow you to plant larger, established shrubs and/or the smaller items you've already thought of.

Pots around a metre wide (and the same high) are perfect for flowering shrubs - i have 4 such pots and i grow hibiscus and buddleja in them - great for areas that you're always looking at this provides colour for many months.
You can plant seasonal bedding around the base of the shrub for extra interest.