Garden help

9 years ago

Any ideas how to cover the manholes? Also need plants beside white wall as it's very sharp(young child at home). Love bright flowers. Help please!!!

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PRO

User

9 years ago

Two options for the wall, but you would have to select which specific plants because we can only guess at your climate. You love colour and both of these can cater for that:
1. Plant soft hedging shrubs with variegated foliage immediately in front of the wall and have a flower bed immediately in front of that. N.B. trees will have too large gaps in between, although it is highly unlikely fruit trees would damage the footings (foundations) of the wall. You could use soft fruit shrubs or aromatic herbs as part of your hedge.
2. Construct a trellis in front of the wall, attached to it higher up. You have a choice of flowering climbers to choose from for most climates, you could even put in a mixture to extend the flowering season considerably.
Some of the ideas for the manhole covers are very good. The centrepiece does not have to be a bird bath or bird feeding table although I do like the idea. You have to suit your own taste when deciding what to put there. Instances may be a lightweight statue or figurine, a weathervane, even a water feature so long as it is moveable when needed.
One observation to add: that lawn looks very sickly. Is there any grass among the weed and moss? Do you know the reason? May I suggest early treatment, as leaving it in that state for too long will incur the expense of total replacement.

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Comments (25)

Tony McIntyre
9 years ago
Along the White wall add fruit trees. My aunt did this to a similar wall and had a great affect.

To cover the manhole you could put pot plant covering that area or add a table and chairs or bench.
peediewee
9 years ago
trees may damage the wall as the roots try to go under & end pushing it over or cracking it. hydrangeas flower for most of the summer & are bushy enough to keep your little one away from the sharp wall.
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natzo29
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for the advice
n247080
9 years ago
Not sure how often the manholes are used, but my guess is rarely. My neighbor had a similar issue. She planted an irregularly shaped flower garden around the holes, put a large bird bath centered on of the manholes, then put mulch in the area around the birdbath and through the small garden. Then a couple of interesting pots with plants in them on the mulch beside the birdbath. When entrance is needed to the manholes, the mulch is easily swept aside and the pots and bird bath easily set on the grass until work is complete.
PRO
Landscape Design by James Brunton-Smith Limited
9 years ago
Manholes are sometimes best left alone as trying to hide them draws attention when they are in a lawn. My plan would be to create an island planting of simple perennials around it and possible up to the shed. The wall could be planted with espalier fruit trees which contrary to an earlier comment would I think be fine along the wall or alternatively some form of clipped pillars such as Hornbeams.
PRO
User
9 years ago
What are you going to put in between the trunks of the espaliered trees to stop the small child handling the sharp pieces in the wall, Designscape UK? Or between the clipped hornbeams?
I'm not a designer so perhaps I've misunderstood but it did appear that the safety of the child is a specific requirement within the design brief.
natzo29
Original Author
9 years ago
We have only moved in a week ago. My daughter is only small so I want to keep space for her to play. The bird bath is a no no as iv seen so many fall on childrens fingers. We were going to put some stepping stones or slabs to the shed from the patio door. The grass will be treated yes but the wall is my priority as we had a child already cut their hand on it! Thanks for all the help
sunnybum
9 years ago
Could you nail a large long chalkboard along the area your daughter can reach for her use? I covered an area in my garden once with the foam matting( mine was an alphabet ) for my sons play area it look great,covered ugly areas and lasted reasonably well ( I'm in the uk ) being inexpensive it was easy to replace and it would be easy to move should the manhole cover be needed. They also brightened up the place.
natzo29
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks sunnybum. My sister actually has a chalk wall which I never even thought of! Thanks
Melissa Cook
9 years ago
You can buy special manhole covers that you can plant grass on the top similar to ones used in paving. They are not cheap but i saw them for under £100
Melissa Cook
9 years ago
Here's a link for one type http://recessedmanholecovers.co.uk/index.php/
Jen Tindall
9 years ago
Have you thought of getting a quote for someone to skim the wall with new render to make it smooth? If it's in good condition, that could be an option. Then you can plant what you like in your own time, as all plants take a long time to grow unless you buy very expensive mature ones!
Rachel Chilvers
9 years ago
Why not just render the wall? Trees and plants are expensive anyway!
natzo29
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks. It's a rental house so not going to spend big money but want a nice place to step out into. Thanks for all the ideas will get cracking when it stops raining!!!
Michelle S
9 years ago
Artificial lawn? You can have a cut patch where man hole is to still allow access.
I had it in my previous house. Excellent for children as you can clean it with disinfectant.
Sam Hill
9 years ago
If the 'White' on the wall is render or pebbledash (which I suspect it is), that could be stripped, leaving bare bricks.
That may be nice, unless they are cheap bricks.
Even so, plain bricks look good with hanging plants on a lattice thing.
For the manholes, bird bath surrounded by flowers (as suggested earlier) is a good idea.
As you have a small child, a sandpit etc could go over it.
Hope that helps!
PRO
Sandra Lawson Interiors
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Add stepping stones across the lawn incorporating the manhole covers to create a path. Make the path run from left to right and end at a bench arbour in the corner of fence and white wall. Planting to each side of the seat will create colour and a focal point away from manhole covers and bare white wall.
Nicholas Cole
9 years ago
Have you considered painting them green with Hammerite paint? I've seen this done before and the manholes totally blend in with the turf. Also, it effectively tidies up an eyesore and provides a low maintenance solution. One coat of Hammerite lasts many years.
PRO
Out and Out Original
9 years ago
Have you thought about a twist on a classic British bench set by painting the walls "shell" white colour and restoring the shed to a natural teakwood coloured oil? Place the bench set over the manhole and make it the talking point of the garden!
minnie101
9 years ago
Alternatively could you use bamboo screening or similar for the wall? I think that can be done cheaply.. Keep all planting to pots so you can take it to your next home with you. As others have said, cover the manholes with furniture or sandpit
sue randall
9 years ago
On white wall espalier Apple tree on camellia
Along back fence olive trees. Water feature over the manhole. Something circular or ball shaped. Pop a sand pit over it for the little one?
iheaton
9 years ago
I have manholes on my patio so I' ve just covered it with beach stones
PRO
Jaimie K Designs Ltd
9 years ago
Hi lots of different options and ideas going on. I had a similar wall and understand how mean it can be to little ones. I bought and put up the expanding wood trellis. This instantly covered the area at a very reasonable price. I then planted quick growing climbing plants. I'm not a great gardener so I cant remember what i had but ask at the garden centre they will advise you. But at least you have a barrier in place to minimize accidents.
Gay Cringle
2 years ago
We have quite a big manhole we are thinking of putting fake grass on a board that you can just lift up if access is needed

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