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Replacing a wall with what??

NormsGardenNormsGarden Posts: 3
in Garden design
We don't like this wall in our back garden. We thought about removing and putting sleepers in.Or wood decking panels over the top, ceramic tiles were mentioned. Anyone got any ideas?


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Posts

  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
    It would be a lot of work to replace it as you would have to keep the earth shored up.  Have you thought about simply painting it?  If it were mine I'd paint it black I think, and plant trailing plants behind to trail over it.
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    didyw said:
    It would be a lot of work to replace it as you would have to keep the earth shored up.  Have you thought about simply painting it?  If it were mine I'd paint it black I think, and plant trailing plants behind to trail over it.
    I agree ... except I think it should be a matt dark charcoal colour rather than full on black (and by no means gloss).  Then it'll fade into the background rather than be so stark as it is now.  Grow trailing plants over it and you'll forget it's there.

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





  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Or a terracotta to match and blend with brick paving.
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • NormsGardenNormsGarden Posts: 3
    Thanks, we thought about trailing plants, but not really
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Agree with @Lyn terracota would look great and would take away that feeling that the wall takes over. I wouldn't get rid of it too much work and too much expense.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Once painted ( I prefer the charcoal colour idea) you could put some rectangular containers on it and leave some space between for additional seating if you entertain in your garden.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @NormsGarden You mention trailing plants, I think that is a great idea. The only thought is do you like to sit on the wall? There are so many plants that you could go for depending on aspect. You have your table and chairs so guess a sunny spot? Perhaps go for jewel colours like Monty likes. Purples, reds and oranges maybe or thymes if the soil is free draining. Plants are expensive but you could start with a few and the lift and split them over time. That wall is great perhaps a different colour?
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • edhelkaedhelka Posts: 2,351
    I would never replace a wall with sleepers because of their significantly lower lifespan.
    To soften it, I would paint it slightly darker. Putting wood or tiles on top of it is actually a good idea.
    I think I would do wood, which would double as a bench/seating, alternated with planters and trailing plants.
  • NormsGardenNormsGarden Posts: 3
    Many thanks all for the responses, the bricks on the ground may well come up yet, we just want a more modern twist. Charcoal paint, I can visualise this and seems ok. Not 100% convinced on trailing plants, we ll see
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd wood clad that - match it up to the existing fence. You could add a paving 'top' to it which would double as seating, or - if you have sufficient funds, you can get lengths of natural timber which are more organic in shape. 
    If you have the paving, make sure it's well seated/mortared onto the existing wall, with a small overhang beyond the timber cladding.
    Or - get it rendered, and add a coping of paving for a contemporary look.

    No matter how you paint that - it'll still look like a ropey wall IMO. 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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