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Wall tumblers, heather etc?

ChilliBobChilliBob Posts: 98
in Plants
Hey everyone, we have four retaining walls in our garden now which we'd like to make look a bit more 'natural' and cottage garden esq.  They're about 50cm high roughly. 

Around us there seems to be quite a bit of heather in peoples front gardens on their walls and stuff that looks the part, there also seems to be these small purple flowers all over the shop (perhaps even a weed lol).

Our colour scheme is purple, pink, red type vibe, ideally something which has interest for most of the year would be good.

Is there a starting point article people could point me to, or some direct suggestions - as it seems quite a vast area. 

Thanks in advance!

Posts

  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited April 2023
    Prostate conifers, prostrate rosemary, sempervivums, aubretia, ground cover phlox ... just ideas.  In fact "ground cover" might be a good phrase tp research.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Iberis sempervirens will grow above the wall and in gaps, Erigeron karvinskianus is a reliable perennial with a good cascading habit which can flower from April to December in mild areas.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • ChilliBobChilliBob Posts: 98
    Bede - aubretia is the one I have seen in quite a few places, good to know the name now. And the Rosemary is the foxtail one I just mentioned on another thread :)
  • ChilliBobChilliBob Posts: 98
    @Plantminded
    The pink ice version of Iberis looks like it could fit well with our colour scheme, cheers for the suggestion. I sense the Erigeron might work but I'm less sure, I think something a bit more robust may be in order - footballs, tennis balls and all sorts are a regular feature in the garden!
  • WAMSWAMS Posts: 1,960
    Aubretia is looking lovely right now... campanula (bellflower) is a similar-looking summer equivalent. You might also like creeping thyme
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Iberis does have a more robust structure but the flowers will be limited to Spring, as will those of Aubretia.  A big plus for Erigeron is that although it prefers sun, it will also grow and flower quite happily in shade, for a long time.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If you want heathers/heaths - check properly before buying. Some need neutral to acidic soil and some don't, and some will even tolerate alkaline soil. Some are winter flowering and some are summer flowering. 
    Take a look here for some info  
    https://www.gallowayheathers.com/index.asp
    or here 
    https://www.jacksonsnurseries.co.uk/plants/plant-type/heathers/
    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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