Front garden planters, plants and hedging

7 years ago

I desperately need help picking some plants to place in some wooden planters i'm going to get made. The idea is to put the planters on the wall surrounding our front garden/driveway, so i'm limited by how big the planters can be, and hence what can go in them.

On the left side we want tall plants or hedging to a height of 0.8-1m, on the right side small plants, like maybe snowdrifts, lavender, some evergreens.

The biggest issue is finding the right thing for the privacy on the left side, i was set on bay laurel but i'm starting to think the planters are too small. Then i thought maybe a horsetail, fatsia japonica, or a hebe if there is a species that can get tall enough?

The actual wall is 22cm on the left and 26 on the right. The measurements i've drafted for the planters are: 30cm wide, 40cm high
The total length is around 1500cm, so i thought maybe split into 4 planters, 2 on each side around 350cm each. Or is it better to make smaller ones? Since the walls aren't very wide, they have to overhang inwards and be fixed by some screws or something like that.

I've attached a photo of my drawing for the plans, and some photos of the front, we're currently digging up to lay reclaimed york stone so the view is a little restricted. Also attached the sort of style planters i would like.

Any advice would be thoroughly appreciated!

Featured Answer

lynneamandahayes

7 years ago

You could go for photinia either red robin or variegated in planters on left. The plants could either be in bush form or standard trees. I think team them with some French lavender, nepeta and Russian sage. Also if you can fit in a Japanese Maple that would look lovely.

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Comments (23)

Sara Jar
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks Lynne, i love those plants a lot, do you think the red robin will be ok in a 30cm wide planter? Is it better to have a tree or a shrub?
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I would use plants to brighten the space. The hardscapes are all good, they just look a bit naked and grim. It can be hard to make a space pretty but usable for the kids too, but its not impossible. You have a lovely sitting area to enjoy. Plant some lovely feature bushes in that gravel area. You don't need to completely hide the clothesline, but having something pretty and showy in front will create a boundary and the eye will be drawn to the plants instead of the washing. If you can't plant into the soil there, some large size pots will work. Maybe some medium sized (1-2metre) ornamental trees in pots, like citrus, a weeping ornamental cherry, or bay trees, moptop robinias are nice too. They will be compact. You could cluster some pots of herbs underneath or plant them and let them ramble a little. Herbs like thyme and rosemary and lavender will suit the gravel area and the heat and be hardy with kids playing around, the odd bike falling on them or crushing underfoot would be quite okay. bulbs in pots or planted around the edges of the lawn are great value low maintenance and hardy colour. You can get great seasonal variation in your view then. Online bulb stores like tesselar and garden express sell bulk landscaping bulbs at very reasonable prices. You can get hundreds of bulbs for $30-50. Bulbs are great hardy plants that won't be killed by the odd soccer ball either. The flowers may get knocked over or the leaves, but the bulb is safe under the soil. Cheap and cheerfuls like nasturtiums are good value colour that will self seed every season. Also, plant some very bright flowering shrubs behind the soccer net and against the far wall. Maybe some hibiscus? You need something to catch and entice the eye, plant some large flowering shrubs with larger or bright flowers or foliage you will be able to appreciate from a distance.
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lynneamandahayes
7 years ago
It is quite small but if they are deep enough it should be fine I have two in slightly bigger pots and as long as the soil doesn't dry out they are fine. If the planters are trough shaped the roots can expand sideways. I like both but mine are standard variegated and they look beautiful.
Sara Jar
Original Author
7 years ago
Ah great, I do like both too. So with a 40cm depth and expanding sideways that sounds ok? And just to ask, is the bay laurel hedge a no no? Thanks!
Jonathan
7 years ago
I think you should get yew hedging for the planters as they will provide privacy all year round and have the right elegance and formality for the Georgian architecture.
I also like the idea of dark red leaves- burberis, cotinus, some euphorbias, photinia, sambuca nigra etc etc for other pots
Sara Jar thanked Jonathan
tamp75
7 years ago
I don't see why bay can't be grown in your planters. You can often get them as standards in quite small tubs. They seem to grow way too easily in our garden so I'm sure the planters would be OK.
Sara Jar thanked tamp75
lynneamandahayes
7 years ago
Yes bay would work as well I have twisted stem standard bays and they are lovely too. The photinia is more colourful but either are great.
Sara Jar thanked lynneamandahayes
Sara Jar
Original Author
7 years ago
Guys thank you for all the comments it's really helping to have more input :)
alyper
7 years ago
I would be inclined to put trellis- like screening along the top of the walls painted grey like the external paintwork. This should be made up in a style to reflect that of the house. Likewise the wooden planters, and the first plant that came to mind was Robinia which could be used to create colourful humps around if kept trimmed, interspersed with tall plantings such as Salix, Conifers, Yew spires. A contrast of shapes and leaf could be very effective. Also no pots on the steps, leave the pillars free.
Sven
7 years ago
If you want privacy then put up a fence in the space.

Bay and Yew are the only plants mentioned so far that will tolerate a smallish trough 30x40 is small and prone to drying out that will provide privacy. Variegated Hebe will also do well but will take some time to get a decent height. Photonia is a terrible choice as it likes a big root run and grows huge fast.
lynneamandahayes
7 years ago
I agree with the drying out issue, but I've got two variegated photinia in pots slightly bigger and they've been there for four years and are thriving as long as they are fed regularly.
PRO
Practicality Brown
7 years ago
Would you consider pleached trees in containers? Not sure those planters you have specified would be big enough, but it may be worth considering, as the can provide an attractive screening option.
Sara Jar
Original Author
7 years ago
Pleached trees look lovely but the containers would be too small for sure, and I definitely don't want to change the size of the planters, I think they're the right size for the walls and having the timber and the colour is exactly what I want. It's the plants that need to fit the planters rather than the other way round I think.. I accept that they'll need to be well watered, just a matter of finding plants that will be happy to work in that space, and a few tall enough to give a little bit screening like half a meter!
pannacotta
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Not Photinia the colour of the new growth is so specific and jars with any other greenery I think.

Portuguese Laurel is a tough plant or clipped Pyracantha could work, can you add trellis in the gaps, done tastefully to tie in with the colours you have already and to screen the metal gate?

SOme good examples here

http://www.gardentrellis.co.uk/

I agree to losing the pots outside the door/on the steps, I'd keep that clear and let the architectural features shine.
PRO
Pat Oliver Interior Design
7 years ago
As I understand it, the planters will sit on top of the walls. They are not particularly big, so I'd recommend box. You can trim it into an interesting top edge, either a series of alternating round and pyramid forms. Then you can add colour and other shapes in pots on the ground in front of the walls.
Dundrum 16
7 years ago
An alternative to box is lonicera nitida Baggeson's Gold. This evergreen withstands clipping well and is bright and cheery to look at on the dullest day.
Kevin Jovinsie
7 years ago
Hello. The Results of my sketchs. Hope you like it. Thank you
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Neil Jones Design
7 years ago
I think Photinia would get too large and unruly for planters on top of the walls. They need managing otherwise they get very large and have a very loose form. Personally I'd opt for something that is more consistent in form and shape without too much upkeep and provides an attractive green backdrop to your beautiful house rather than competing with it for attention! Something like Buxus or Japanese box (Euonymus Green Rocket) as alternative to avoid issues with Box blight. Alternatively Privet is a good reliable evergreen hedger particular well suited to urban situations as they tolerate pollution. Either way its worth adding some water retaining granules and slow release fertiliser to the soils to give them a boost. At least you're planting at a good time to avoid stressing them in the dry summer months. Good luck!
alyper
7 years ago
pots on top of the walls? Not a good idea on the whole as difficult to maintain, water, damage to render etc. Down on the ground they will grow well. One way of growing large shrubs is in tubs with no base: the tap roots can then take up moisture direct, which for large plants is best. Bunny Guiness recommends this. Great for a long term permanent planting.
Sara Jar
Original Author
7 years ago
We're going to install irrigation so that should sort the drying out issue! I agree with softer less fussier planting, but lean more to grasses and small to medium shrubs...
Lesley In
7 years ago
What about bamboo??? ( the non-invasive kind)
Sara Jar
Original Author
7 years ago
The garden is full of bamboo so I'd rather not!
PRO
Livingreen Design Ltd
6 years ago
Hi, please have a look at www.livingreendesign.com I'm sure we could do you the perfect planters to fit exactly

Front garden planters, plants and hedging

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