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Creeping plants

ndohertyndoherty Posts: 4
in Garden design
We would like to create border in our garden on a second level which is built up with sleepers. Would like to grow something over the side to give a hanging effect. It’s in a fairly shaded area any recommendations? Doesn’t particularly have to flower could just be lush green 

Posts

  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    My childhood home had a split-level garden, with a brick-built bed beside the steps.  All along the "downhill" side we had creeping jenny, it hung like a green curtain about two feet long, dotted with cheery yellow flowers.  It also sheltered lots of spiders. That was in shade because it was the side that faced the back of the house.

    I know some people groan at the mention of ivy, but there are so many decorative varieties.  Some of them seem as happy hanging down as climbing.  You could alternate a green variety with a variegated one for a striped effect.  Have a look at a nursery called Fibrex, they are ivy specialists and I have found them good people to deal with. 
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    Helianthemums if it is sunny, thymes and the prostrate rosemary, even sage will happily overhang if it is dry and sunny, and plenty of alpines are trailers. London Pride will grow in sun or shade.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I've got "creeping Jenny" all over the place. Never planted it, never wanted it, can't get rid of it. 
    Devon.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Take a look at some of the specialist alpine nurseries. Craigiehall and Edrom are just two. 
    Things like Arabis and Phlox will grow in a little shade. I have a lovely little plant called Pritzelago, which has white flowers, and hangs over the edge of a raised bed I have. It flowered in spring, and after a tidy up, is flowering again. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    A large part of our garden is formed of terraces created with sleepers as a retaining wall.  Where creeping plants have been allowed to creep over the top of the sleepers, they have seriously rotted, even though they were only installed about 6 years ago.

    I understand why you want to create the effect you do, but I would recommend keeping the sleepers clear of any planting if you want them to last.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I wouldn't have creeping Jenny.It's a pest.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
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