Does anyone have any Ideas for.....

1 Jun '06 9:58 pm

This is a photo of the entrance to our property. One Day we are going to curb and channel the driveway and put the curbing along the wall about 3 ft out so I have little gardens along the walls...one day....
In the meantime I would like to plant some hardy flowering plants where it is green on the photo (The green is Moss)
The area is full sun and hot/dry in summer. As there is a gravel there, maybe someone has a gravel garden or knows just what would be suitable. I need you help please Any ideas Question

2 Jun '06 9:25 am

The entrance is really lovely ,Goose .It would be a pity to have something tall that obscures the beautiful stone work .What are the two tall posts on either side ?Are they part of the gate ?
Gazanias come to mind ... Either lots of colours for a dazzling display ,or what I have seen that looks elegant -massed Gazanias of the one colour .I saw a soft ivory with a dark centre .They will flower all summer ,but need an enthusiastic dead-header to keep the display going .
Dixie.

2 Jun '06 7:49 pm

Red Hot Pokers (winter flowering)? Or maybe a clump of Cannas? Sorry to be boring, but I never tire of seeing these tough plants at gates.

2 Jun '06 9:08 pm

Im so pleased to hear you enjoyed your trip so much. It is wonderful to look at other gardens in the world but Im sure you are so pleased to be back in your own lovely garden, full of ideas and enthusiasm. I bet you cant wait to get stuck in.
Back to the subject,Yes I love Red Hot Pokers & Cannas and have them in other parts of my garden. I hadnt thought about them at the gate as the perennial garden with more dainty plants is on the other side of the wall. Not sure what do you think?

2 Jun '06 9:17 pm

Dixie
I agree with your point about the stonework, I was also thinking of something low growing. The two poles were there when we bought the property and we built the stone walls around them with the intention of putting another pole across the top and hanging the name of the property underneath. "U know ranch style" One day we will still do this but I will change it from ranch style by growing climbing plants up the poles to soften the look.....One Day
I imagine we will get all these one day jobs done... One Day.I like your suggestion about Gazania's however Im not sure Im up to the deadheading as there are so many other things to do.

2 Jun '06 9:38 pm

Hi Goose! I for one love the greater informality of uncurbed gravel in a rural garden, so I'd think long-term. (And it will save money for other One Day projects!)

I like gazanias. If you want low maintenance think of bergenias - one of my all-time favourite plants. Leaves that look good against stone and gravel, and flowers when little else is in flower.

Think of the queen of gravel - Beth Chatto. Do a Google image search for Chatto + gravel or look at http://www.mooseyscountrygarden.com/beth-chatto-gardens/beth-chatto.html where Eggy (?) did an excellent job of photographing the garden but a less good one of organising the pics... (like your priorities Eggy!) You might well get other ideas there. Best: lay your hands on her book on gravel gardens at your local library or bookshop. One of my most prized gardening books... Good luck, enjoy... I think you are busy with the most pleasurable of all gardening activities! Smile

2 Jun '06 9:44 pm

I think the RHS link on the site needs editing, Eggy!

2 Jun '06 10:02 pm

Thanks Jack
I had a look at Google, Mooseys etc when I first thought about gravel plants and decided I needed a more informed opinion as I havent tried this type of gardening myself.
I have bergenia already do you really think they would survive with little watering, & dry conditions (hopefully) in summer? I will try and get hold of one of the Beth Chatto books on the subject as you suggest.

2 Jun '06 10:16 pm

As we have summer rain, Goose, I'm not too sure of drought, but I know they're pretty tough plants. BC however swears by them, including in her gravel garden which doesn't get watered, and often has almost no rain in summer. Let's hear what other people have to say.

2 Jun '06 10:32 pm

...the moment they are established , need a little or no water! So , what about the adorable sky-blue Plumbago Auriculata (Cape Leadwort), the adorably and strongly scented Jasminum Officinale, and -- of course!-- all sort of colours of the magnificent Bougainvilleas! And..., if you painted this huge door bright(Delphinium)-blue, or bright poppy-red, or in the warm terracota colour?? Wouldn't it be a pure joy in itself??

Imagine each one of these grey walls covered by a sky-blue Plumbago , and by a snowy-white Jasmin throughout Summer (they can both become climbing or shrubby, according to the right pruning) ! And two vivid coloured Bougainvilleas standing at each side of a bright blue or red entrance door(they can also take the form and height you wish them to)! And even more, some red and white big headed lovely Pelargoniums (Geraniums) planted along the two grey walls! A real feast of happy, inviting colours!

Does anyone have any Ideas for.....

Does anyone have any Ideas for.....

gates

Welcome Back Moosey

Gates

gravel & stone + ....

PS: Calling Eggy!

Beth Chatto

Summer drought

Mediterranean plants,....