Forum home› Garden design
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

How can I beautify this shady mound?

stephenweaverstephenweaver Posts: 4
in Garden design
I've recently excavated loads of grass turf and topsoil to prepare some new beds ... and in the process created a mound , seven feet high and fifteen feet in length. It's at the bottom of the garden, right up against a row of holly trees and is  mostly in shade , but visible when in the sun. I would like to even it out and plant it ... but know that whatever I do will be compromised by grass/seeds/weeds already present, quite apart from its steepness and height. A challenging site!!! All suggestions would be very welcome.

P.S Could anyone identify those lovely Phlox-like wildflowers that have appeared alongside the mound in the picture below?


Posts

  • stephenweaverstephenweaver Posts: 4
    P.S I should add that the soil comprising the mound is mostly clay!
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited April 2020
    The flowers are Honesty ... Lunaria annua. 

    Don’t deadhead them ... the seedcases are beautiful in the autumn. 

    I’m still thinking about the clay ... have you checked out pottery evening classes?

    😉 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • stephenweaverstephenweaver Posts: 4
    Fantastic- I love Honesty with the sun behind them!
  • ajejollyajejolly Posts: 1
    Honesty is super. 

    Two ideas for the mound spring to mind.

     One is if you have any rocks (or have access to buy some, like rustic slate) some informally scattered ones could form a lovely rockery. Next level could be to turn it into a waterfall into a pond or stream if you were to find it nice to sit there if there is sun at any point of the day. Scented plants would add to enjoyment. If it is too shady though, that might not be possible. 

    Second idea is something I am planning in the woods at the end of our garden, which is the sleeping lady sculpture out of earth with grasses and moss on her. Inspired by a visit many moons ago to the Lost gardens of heligan in Cornwall. https://www.flickr.com/photos/moochy/18076352/

    If you prefer an earth sculpture that is more tongue in cheek, here is another one from Heligan- rising giant. Second picture after sleeping lady. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g2305614-d584745-i113786536-The_Lost_Gardens_of_Heligan-Pentewan_St_Austell_Cornwall_England.html

    This would use the clay in your soil to your advantage. 

    Hope this helps!
  • stephenweaverstephenweaver Posts: 4
    Thanks so much ajejolly for your imaginative suggestions ... they have got me thinking (an achievement in itself!). Grasses and boulders could work some magic ....
Sign In or Register to comment.