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Can I plant an evergreen here?

smileysmile1966AMmtNsyZsmileysmile1966AMmtNsyZ Posts: 74
edited May 2021 in Problem solving
Hello again,

Can I plant an evergreen plant here (attached photos)?
A contractor built a retaining wall and fence in 2019. They filled this hole with clay sprinkled with gravel.
I've removed 16" of clay. I've tried drilled the concrete at the bottom to see if it leads to drainage. 12" down with a masonry bit no luck so was thinking of using a 24" chisel with a power concrete breaker. The concrete at the bottom could be part of the foundation for the retaining wall. 

Can I plant an evergreen here with no drainage? If I do manage to get through Can I plant one then? Your thoughts much appreciated.
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Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Does it drain at all? If you filled the hole with water, does it stay full or drain slowly? If it does drain but slowly you could find a square plastic planter that will fit in the space raised up on bricks or something so that it can drain. If it fills up and stays full nothing that you'd want close to a wall will be happy. In any case you don't want soil or compost touching the wooden fence because it would make the fence rot.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I'd drop a big container on top of some gravel into the hole and plant something in that.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • smileysmile1966AMmtNsyZsmileysmile1966AMmtNsyZ Posts: 74
    Hi Jenny,

    I filled the hole with water and it didn't seem to drain. I will test again by scribing a mark to see water level drops. The fence isn't a problem as it doesn't have to be right up to it. I could bring any soil away from it. 
    I've only just removed all the clay so what I need to do is empty all water and examine the bottom. Surely there's a way of chiselling a drain hole.
    Would anybody be able to recommend an evergreen to plant here that grows upwards? 
  • smileysmile1966AMmtNsyZsmileysmile1966AMmtNsyZ Posts: 74
    B3 it's like a window tunnel around this area on gusty days. 
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    If you drop the container into th hole, it can't tip over.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • smileysmile1966AMmtNsyZsmileysmile1966AMmtNsyZ Posts: 74
    B3 any plants that you could recommend that would fit nicely in that corner? Photos?
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    If you fill the hole with soil it'll settle against the fence and it would be a constant job to keep bringing it away. You'd need at least a plastic lining of some sort against the fence, and combined with the drainage problem a I think a large planter that fits in the space would be easier. I can't think of anything evergreen that would cope with permanently wet roots. Also if the concrete base is supporting the wall I think it's probably better not to tamper with it, particularly if it's part of a building rather than just a boundary wall.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • smileysmile1966AMmtNsyZsmileysmile1966AMmtNsyZ Posts: 74
    I've drilled a 12" 10mm hole into the concrete. I need to drill further. As I'm sure it'll come out the other end and if it does then I've got my drainage. I'll have a go next couple of days. What I'm looking for is a plant that can cope in this area? It'll get plenty of sun in the afternoon. What plants have shallow roots?
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Sempervivums

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





  • smileysmile1966AMmtNsyZsmileysmile1966AMmtNsyZ Posts: 74
    Well drilled 2 10mm holes into bottom of this hole as was concrete. 12" thick I believe. Took ages but managed to get to hollow space which I believe to be earth. Masonry bit slides up and down deep for drainage. Garden centre recommended Acer. Filled it up gravelled top and here is result in attached photo.
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