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New (to me) phrase: Hell strip

LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
in Garden design
Apparently it's what we would usually call a verge, but specifically a planting strip between the road and the pavement, so called because it's difficult to grow things there due to pollution, drought, exposure, poor soil etc. Also 'devil strip'. I think it's rather descriptive and apt! 
I was looking up a particular Diascia cultivar and the site said it performed well in hell strips.
'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
- Cicero
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  • SalixGoldSalixGold Posts: 450
    https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/comment/2241250#Comment_2241250

  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    Ha! @Loxley and I agree on a lot of things, I think.
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • Helen P3Helen P3 Posts: 1,152
    LG_ said:
    Apparently it's ... a planting strip between the road and the pavement, so called because it's difficult to grow things there due to pollution, drought, exposure, poor soil etc. Also 'devil strip'. 
    I throw poppy and/or nigella seed in the direction of the verge in front of my house.  Always do fine.  The dandelions, that never fail to appear, are a gift of the wind.

    I'm afraid I don't like to prefix anything with "hell" or "devil".  No psychoanalysts needed!
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    I've never heard the expression but yes, it fits.

    Ox eye daisies are a great pioneer species that will grow almost anywhere and the basal clump provides a toehold for others to get established. Dandelions are similar. Quite possibly ragwort would be as well - not tried it
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    Can you imagine the brouhaha (another good word) in some circles if ragwort was allowed to grow!
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • McRazzMcRazz Posts: 440
    LG_ said:
    Can you imagine the brouhaha (another good word) in some circles if ragwort was allowed to grow!
    Common ragwort has the highest ug sugar/day/flower of all wildflowers according to a table an ecologist friend of mine sent me the other day!

    Whilst another friend of mine sprays his entire 5 acres with 'gallop' to ensure that only the grass grows, even in his 'wild' areas. such a shame. 
  • februarysgirlfebruarysgirl Posts: 835
    @LG_ I currently have ragwort in my front garden. I hate it but the cinnabar moths are hanging around and the pollinators adore the flowers. As soon as its usefulness to wildlife is at an end it's coming out.
  • SYinUSASYinUSA Posts: 243
    Buffalo, NY, is famous for their hellstrip plantings. In certain neighborhoods the entire front lawn gets planted up, and the sidewalk is just like a garden path through it. Some are quite lovely!
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    I had a magnificent ragwort in the back garden last year and it was a hit with the wildlife. We normally get lots locally but this year I haven't seen any at all and I think it's because of last year's drought. It's a shame as I liked seeing the cinnabar moth caterpillars. 
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    Whenever I see someone ask for an ID of ragwort elsewhere online, people go bonkers about it being essential to remove it immediately, it's deadly, etc etc - even if it's in a suburban back garden with no pets, let alone horses!
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
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