What to do with small front garden with two manhole covers?

jeanette15

Hi all,
this is my first post, so please forgive me if I get it wrong. Could anyone advise me on how to deal with the following.
I have a small front garden, approx. 6' X 3'. There are two manhole covers, one at each end. One is standing much higher than the other and above the level of the path to the side of the garden. We have a tree - not sure what sort - on the communal ground in front of the garden, which sheds its leaves each autumn.
I had thought of laying pavers or slabs, and covering the manhole covers with pebbles and plants in tubs. Perhaps I should mention that the house is also pebbledashed.
There was originally grass - of a sort!! - when we first moved in - we have removed this and currently have landscape fabric covering the area while we decide what to do.
Also I have a longstanding back problem that is gradually deteriorating, so as I have a larger back garden, I would like an easily maintained front one.
Has anyone any other ideas.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Jeanette

shoppaholic_returns

hi, we had this at our last house except there were 6 various covers it was a nightmare!!
however we got around the main ones by cutting out a kidney shaped island around the cover we then planted a nice shrub which was 4 ft tall at the back of the border it was a weeping shrub,then near to the cover we planted a conifer which was a ground cover conifer and grew outwards but remained flat and low lying(sorry i dont know the names) ,this disguised the cover,we then put slate in the rest of the island, and you didnt know anything was there. a bit of a faf but it looked very nice and landscapey.

tanith

They are a pain aren't they... I think the idea of pebbles and tubs of plants is a good one.... someone I knew had her dad make some trays with wood to fit over the drain covers and she planted them up they looked ok and could be lifted if access was needed... trouble was it was a bit messy to water them and the plants didn't grow to well but it worked after a fashion...

Just a thought maybe a water feature if you have access to power ( I think they do some solar powered ones now)... one of those that recycles a small amount of water then you could just lift and empty it out for access...

A_Clock

Ive put a wigwam over mine made out of bamboo canes, and planted sweet peas up it! I know they are going to die at the end of the year, but it gives me a few months to think what to do with it, plus adds colour over summer

cwp500

Gravel it over and stand two decorative tubs or urns on the manhole covers so you know exactly where they are.

The tubs can have bulbs for the spring, annuals for the summer and crocus for the autumn.

Alternatively plant the tubs with hostas (remember to put the slug pellets down though to keep the slimy devils down. but be careful of any dog or cat so they dont eat the pellets.)

jeanette15

Thank you all so much for your answers. There are some really good ideas there, and I am going to think about them all. Sorry no power for a water feature. Have been a bit concerned that as the house is pebbledashed, gravel or stone may have made it look a bit harsh, but with the planting I think it should soften it. Thanks again.
Jeanette

RAS

shoppaholic_returns wrote: »

however we got around the main ones by cutting out a kidney shaped island around the cover we then planted a nice shrub which was 4 ft tall at the back of the border it was a weeping shrub,then near to the cover we planted a conifer which was a ground cover conifer and grew outwards but remained flat and low lying(sorry i dont know the names) ,this disguised the cover,we then put slate in the rest of the island, and you didnt know anything was there.

Did something similiar with a friends garden, where there was a huge manhole cover about four feet from the back door. incorporated it into a bed , planted a prostrate conifer to one side which partly covered it, added creeping jenny, which contrasted with the blue-ish hues of the conifer and then added a couple of largish pots that could be tipped over and rolled out the way if needed. One with herbs, which could cope with things being dryish amd one with a few seasonal plants.