Certainly doesn't stop them here @GardenerSuze. Anything they can get onto to access fences, and they're in. I'd agree re a tree, or those annual climbers, especially something like sweet peas. What plants go in surrounding pots -if it's tree, will depend on how much shade is created too.
The sun moves from the right to the left as you're looking out at the garden, so a tree right at the back in the corner would only cast shade late in the day and evening. We flagged the huge area at the bottom because it is always in shade from the house, and was just a bog. There is extensive underground drainage including under the patio, and branching off all over the garden right to the top corners, all connected to a silt trap then into the main drain. I am very fed up with the water issue as there's no more we can do, and one of the reasons we had the side beds built was in an attempt to have some of the water drunk by plants. So disappointed to find they're still heavy with water, although not waterlogged as they were before we had the height doubled and a lot of gravel put in the bottom. My only hope is that what I plant now will have established itself enough by winter to have even a tiny impact, but it still needs to be the right plants and I've already messed it up 😭
@BouncingBack oh yes, I see the area you are referring to and yes. I believe scaredy cat is another name for Coleus canina. I hope these plants all help to keep the cats away. I suppose if you thought the cats might climb onto any of the fence-tops, maybe some visible (to the cats) spiky plants might put them off too. Maybe a half-barrel in the worst affected corner, with appropriate plants would look good. Mahonias can be spiky and though tall, would have thought the spikiness would deter cats. Mahonia can also be kept to a shorter height with pruning. Mahonia can cope with dry shade, in the ground but if in a large container you can look after it. I take it that corner bit with the paving stones does not get waterlogged - or did I misunderstand?
I have also seen people put spiky fence toppers onto fencing, so cats cannot easily walk over them...food for thought if you think it might come to that!
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I think the neighbours would have an issue with that, and I don't want to rock the boat. The motion sensor water spray is very effective, we had no soiling when it was set up and haven't since.
I've just potted the rose, and the sun came out - this is where the sun is around midday. Will the lavender, rosemary and thyme definitely fail in moist soil despite the amount of sun the area gets?
I think the neighbours would have an issue with that, and I don't want to rock the boat. The motion sensor water spray is very effective, we had no soiling when it was set up and haven't since.
I've just potted the rose, and the sun came out - this is where the sun is around midday. Will the lavender, rosemary and thyme definitely fail in moist soil despite the amount of sun the area gets?
Is the rose in the pot in the left side corner with the Mediterranean herbs in the trough where the fern is with the fern currently in shade and the Mediterranean plants in current sun?
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Yes that's right. It's rained a lot over the last few weeks so I don't know whether the beds will dry a little once we get some better weather. I'm not very hopeful about that given the long-standing water issues we have though.
I would definitely keep an eye on the plants and troughs, as you are indeed doing. It depends how moist and for how long I suppose and whether there is enough sun to dry the soil. If the plants show signs of struggling with damp soil I would move them into pots on bricks or something raised and keep them in the sunniest spot!
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Our cat adores our rosemary plant, he climbs into it and curls up to sleep, so not cat repellent. He also enjoys walking through lavender and kills nepeta plants by rolling on them. Plants he doesn't like are artemisia variants, curry plant and some of the citrus scented leaf pelargoniums. Plants that block him from walking through - cotoneaster, vinca, pyracantha. I don't know if any of these suit your plans.
I was going to suggest laying a few circular stepping stones on the moist bed and place pots on them with the plants you really want (that also suit the light.) That would also add some height. I know not everyone’s cut of tea but could you attach some hanging containers to the fence? Then you could put some fragrant annuals in them which would at least give some scent to mask the smell of the cats in summer.
On a side note, if you mentioned to the neighbour that you can smell the cat poo on hot days, they might remove it; I’m surprised they don't already. As a mum to three dogs (one of whom won’t poo on walks) I’d be horrified if a neighbour said they could smell poo coming from my garden…
Unfortunately our neighbours are not approachable people, nor are they considerate of their neighbours. I think I'll put the lavender and herbs in pots on the little patio in the corner and buy plants suited to moisture for the beds. We need to plant directly in the beds to try and get some of the water drunk.
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The sun moves from the right to the left as you're looking out at the garden, so a tree right at the back in the corner would only cast shade late in the day and evening. We flagged the huge area at the bottom because it is always in shade from the house, and was just a bog. There is extensive underground drainage including under the patio, and branching off all over the garden right to the top corners, all connected to a silt trap then into the main drain. I am very fed up with the water issue as there's no more we can do, and one of the reasons we had the side beds built was in an attempt to have some of the water drunk by plants. So disappointed to find they're still heavy with water, although not waterlogged as they were before we had the height doubled and a lot of gravel put in the bottom. My only hope is that what I plant now will have established itself enough by winter to have even a tiny impact, but it still needs to be the right plants and I've already messed it up 😭
I have also seen people put spiky fence toppers onto fencing, so cats cannot easily walk over them...food for thought if you think it might come to that!
I've just potted the rose, and the sun came out - this is where the sun is around midday. Will the lavender, rosemary and thyme definitely fail in moist soil despite the amount of sun the area gets?
There is a clematis called "Betty Corning" which is perfumed. It would be pretty on the fence, if you can find one. May have to look online.
I know not everyone’s cut of tea but could you attach some
hanging containers to the fence? Then you could put some fragrant annuals in them which would at least give some scent to mask the smell of the cats in summer.