What to plant in front garden and retaining wall
We have a very small front garden at road height on top of a wall which the kitchen (lower ground floor) looks out onto. We are planning on taking up the remaining concrete and stones which are all broken up and would like to make this area more attractive and make the wall that the kitchen looks out onto more interesting. The house is south facing so the front garden gets sun all day whilst the wall doesn’t get any light. We don’t want whatever is in the front garden to block out the light into the kitchen.
I’d love to hear your suggestions.
Comments (13)
Jules Mc
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Help with colour for Irish back garden
Comments (4)I really think it's the plants that are supposed to be the center of attraction so I have a hard time thinking of anything better than painting the wall gray and the planters charcoal. However, trying to keep an open mind I did locate the photo above with yellow planters, which would be pretty against a gray wall. But looking at your very lovely blue door, I could see repeating that very same color on the planters and leaving the wall gray. It's always a good thing to repeat an existing color when it looks as great as that one does. That blue would be dynamite on a planter filled with green plants and colorful blooms....See MoreGardening tips
Comments (6)I'd love to help answer this, but I'm in the USA and don't know what zone Ireland is in, what sort of soil you have, or how many hours of light on an average summer day various parts of your yard get. For a cottage garden look, you need some perennials and some annuals. You'll also want a rose trellis somewhere in the mix. While this may sound silly, what you might want to do is keep a camera or cell phone with you and take photos of local yards you admire during different seasons over the next year then have an experienced gardener help you identify the plants that you like in the photographs so you can get them in your yard. The reason to take photographs during different seasons is because different plants will be in bloom. The reason to take the photos locally is because you'll be better able to tell which plants grow well in your soil type and climate zone....See Morei need a front garden that has a wow factor
Comments (1)Hi barbaralambe, how is the front yard landscape plan coming along? If you're able to, perhaps take a wider angle shot of the front yard so we can see what you're working with....See MoreMy Before and After picture for my garden
Comments (95)It makes me cross that people think they have a right to make some quite negative comments on this post. Masmccar76 put these photos on because she thought people would like to see a genuinely lovely transformation of her garden. Instead there have been some downright nasty comments. By all means make comments but keep them constructive. Houzz is all about is sharing ideas, not about being nasty...See More
E D
4 years ago
Charlotte McDougall
4 years agoE D
4 years ago
rachelmidlands
4 years agorachelmidlands
4 years agoWhen I say sedums I thinking more of the general term of succulents which is what sedums (stone crop) are. There are many succulents that will survive UK temperatures but most will like it sunny with plenty of stones and grit in the soil, which is why I thought they’d be perfect for your situation. Here’s a little more info: https://www.perrywood.co.uk/gardening-tips/succulents/
I‘ve had great success with sedum forsterianum Oracle (see first pic), love the colour this time of year. I also like to mix them with alpine plants (I find thrift and saxifrage quite reliable) and some Mediterranean plants like the trailing rosemary which like similar conditions. I think you have the potential to be really creative as well (google succulent garden), perhaps using the flowerpot on it’s side and have plants spilling out. If you do go down this route, do some research first as not all succulents are geared for our winter temperatures and the popular sedum ‘autumn joy’ can grow fairly big. Here‘s some inspiration:
Sonia
4 years agoI’m a bit of a cottage garden fan, but I think something formal would look more in keeping with the style of your property. If it were mine I would plant something a bit taller in the middle, such as box, and then surround it with low growing plants that will scrabble over the edge. Sedums are wonderful plants and there are many varieties that are low growing and spreading. I love Rachel’s examples. Once you have removed the rubble, dig in a little compost but not too much as sedums do prefer a poor soil. Whatever you plant, make sure you water them well on dry days to help them settle in.
However, if you want something less formal then some lavender in the middle surrounded by smaller alpine plants like campanula, Aubretia, Erigeron and hardy Geraniums would look great. You could even put a bird bath in the middle to add a bit of drama but it would need to be heavy or else it may go walkabout!
Sonia
4 years agoJules Mc
4 years agoSonia
4 years ago- PRO
User
4 years agoIt will be nice to have some structure which will last throughout the year. Agave blue glow looks fab, needs full sun and is tolerant of temperatures to minus 6. Plant 3 or 4 in a row. Interplant these for summer interest with Kangaroo paw (this plant should be treated as an annual), alternatively you can use Crocosmia lucifer for some fiery spikes in between the Agave. Dichondra silver falls will look good spilling over the edges & trailing into the lightwell. Don't forget spring colour with some fiery tulip colours like Tulipa ballerina (tall & elegant with orange petals).
PROArthur Road Landscapes
4 years ago
Reload the page to not see this specific ad anymore
Jules Mc