Channel your inner Bob/Monty/Beth etc

middlewife

Have had this area cleared from this

To this:

Following on from the rubble garden thread, was thinking of partially planting it with verbena, lavender and possibly grasses. However, there is "bulletproof" membrane under it so I'm a bit worried that cutting into it will mean the Spanish bluebells and ivy will grow back, never mind the area at the back which gardener is supposed to be coming back to finish.

The initial suggestion was to put some copper deep planters along the fence, but that would be expensive, plus clambering up there to water/weed/prune is not what I want to do, hence the low maintenance "rubble" garden idea

Any thoughts/suggestions?

RAS

Looks like that is a very overgrown Hazel tree? Based on the katkins?

middlewife

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82147261#Comment_82147261

We moved here 26 years ago and it was I guess around 10 years old then. We get it pruned every 3 years or so, so it's probably due another haircut, like watching the squirrels and birds perching, even if the squirrels dig up my pots looking for nuts ☺️

twopenny

Garden gnome collection?

https://www.gnomereserve.co.uk/

It would be a great spot for bird feeders under the canopy where the sparrow hawk can't bother them.

I think you'll struggle with plants in the shade. Primroses, dwarf daffs and cyclamen will be ok because they will flower before the leaves grow. Lots of different spring bulbs.

Dustyevsky

2p: Garden gnome collection?

https://www.gnomereserve.co.uk/

Hmm, despite the spelling of 'Centre', the Gnomes have only moved a few miles north, not to the USA, but it's sad they couldn't stay in their original habitat, which covered some acres. At their new home, one doesn't need to search them out. I believe they're now free in the monetary sense, but it's more of a Gnome zoo. 😢

Certainly, consider re-homing two or three. 😇

As for the site, I'm sure I've seen it before, and the spring bloomers 2p mentioned were suggested. What's still puzzling me is why there is a DPC in the wall below soil level and why a DPC was needed, considering the upper course looks like it's made with engineering bricks? 🤔

Personally, I'd go for some Geranium 'Rozanne' along the outer limits, and maybe some more shade-tolerant species like macrorrhizum or nodosum under the tree canopy. A procumbent Rosemary draped down the wall would be good too.

Then I'd set about that neighbour's laurel, poking through the attractive trellis before it wrecks the lattice!

twopenny

I'd be wary of planting much that stays above ground on that gravel.

When the tree sheds leaves shortly it will make it harder to clear up.

While the clearing may cause gritted teeth put the leaves on the compost heap or in a black plastic bag. It's good stuff.

horsewithnoname

ferns and heuchera and hellebores generally don’t mind shade.

middlewife

Thanks everyone, re the dpc, no idea, the site was redeveloped before we purchased with a land swap with neighbour, whose garden is about 4 foot higher so maybe that's why, think gnomes would send OH over the edge, but then again 😂

The leaves are going to be a pain, but think we can use a leaf Hoover on the lowest setting and it won't suck up the slate🤞

I'd thought about ferns, spring bulbs (apart from sodding bluebells) would work too, I feel a trip to GC coming on ...

I've seen a sparrow hawk once, unfortunately it perched on the fence post so they might not be safe under the canopy....

I might have to resort to wind chimes ...

Thanks for all the suggestions ☺️

Dustyevsky

middlewife: I might have to resort to wind chimes ...

Don't get one with most of the notes from Postman Pat's theme tune!

I ended up humming it every time I went out there. 😲

Rosa_Damascena

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6684368/channel-your-inner-bob-monty-beth-etc

Amazing transformation. I would probably stick with pots to add colour in the summer.

Slinky

Scatter some verbena seeds on there, you'll probably find they will root themselves fine amongst the slate. That's what happened to us. We've got verbena growing in the gravel above the weed proof membrane. Californian poppies will also do the same.