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Trough planting suggestions

fairisle3989412fairisle3989412 Posts: 2
in Plants
The attached photo is of four 2m long wooden troughs Iam in the process of installing on a south facing terrace . Iam looking for guidance on how much “filler “ and what ,I should put in the bottom and what compost to use on top.
Any suggestions for a planting program would be welcome .
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Posts

  • ViewAheadViewAhead Posts: 866
    edited 9 January
    Welcome. 🙂

    How deep are they - about 30 cms?  And what is the base like - slats with gaps, or fitted fairly snugly together?  And are you planning on a plastic liner?  This would certainly help the wood last longer.  
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
     Do the troughs have solid bases and are they placed directly onto paving ?  The pools of water suggest rainfall with nowhere to drain which won't help the troughs.  The troughs themselves will need lining and drainage to preserve the life of the timber.
    As to what to fill with that will really depend on what type of plants you are thinking of using.  I'm sure further advice will be forthcoming. 
    Lovely outlook so best of luck with your project :)
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Roughly where are you located and do you have any preferences for colours, plants or planting style?
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    As said, you'll need to have plenty of drainage holes, line it to help prevent moisture loss, and to lengthen the life of the timber, and some battens/bricks or similar to raise them off the hard standing, but the mix you use will largely depend on what you want to plant. Long term planting will need more of a soil mix than just annual planting. Compost alone is only good for the latter. 
    The plants will need to tolerate some shade too, as they're near enough the hedging to affect the amount of sun/light getting in   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ViewAheadViewAhead Posts: 866
    If they are about 30 cms deep, I would probably do a mix of half topsoil, half multipurpose compost.  Choose plants that don't need to send down a deep tap root and don't mind their roots getting quite warm.  Annuals and small perennials will do better than shrubs, for the most part. 
  • fairisle3989412fairisle3989412 Posts: 2
    Hi everyone, thank you all for your responses.

    Additional information.
    I live in Bishopsteignton Devon.
    The position is south facing in full sun and not shaded by the hedge.
    The troughs are 35x35 cm internally.
    They are positioned at the edge of the paving on top at a rough stone wall with plenty of drainage , see photo.
    They will have a slatted base (see photo) inserted about 3cm above the bottom of the main frame.I intend to line them with DPC grade plastic sheet with drainage holes .

    Originally we were going to plant them with box hedge, but have now decided to explore other options. Hence why we are seeking suggestions from experienced gardeners.

    Would wood chip be suitable as a base fill to reduce the amount of top fill required?

    Looking forward to your suggestions.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    If you plan to include perennials and small shrubs in your planters, I'd use a mix of a third soil based compost like John Innes no 3, a third ordinary MPC and a third horticultural grit for good drainage. Try to include a mix of evergreens with your selection, plus some spring bulbs.  Decide whether you want repeat planting of the same mix in each trough or something more creative (ie less is more!).
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    edited 10 January
    I wouldn't put wood chip in the base. It will become soggy and act like a sump. Any plants in containers will appreciate as much growing medium as possible!  An alternative evergreen shrub to Box is Euonymus.  I grow one called Green Pillar which looks very similar, without the problems.  Personally, I would combine it with some easy, long flowering perennials like Erigeron Karvinskianus, Nepeta, Salvias and some small grasses like Stipa tenuissima or Carex (a sedge).  Lavender would also suit your location but they can look a bit tired over winter.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • ViewAheadViewAhead Posts: 866
    edited 10 January
    I don't think you need to reduce the amount of top fill as the plants will need it.  You could put a layer of gravel in the bottom, which will help drainage.  Probably a good idea to swerve away from Box, as the Box Moth caterpillars are endemic down here in the south.  If you want evergreens, some hebes do well in troughs.  Grasses can give you a variety of heights, underplanted with maybe ground hugging veronicas, eg Georgia, which flowers for a fairly long period in spring.  Bulbs might also be an option.  
  • JacquimcmahonJacquimcmahon Posts: 1,039
    Lovely troughs, sounds like a fun project. All of my planting is in containers best advice I ever got was to give the plants the maximum growing medium you can. I would definitely not skimp by trying to bulk out the bottom to reduce the actual growing medium.

    Planting is about personal style and what you want to achieve. Evergreen for at least part to give year round color, but after that take into account how much time you want to spend on maintaining them. That will help decide on plant types. I personally like the summer maintenance of deadheading etc, so grow a lot of colorful annuals, but they is not everyone’s “ cup of tea”. 

    Enjoy the process, whatever you choose.
    Marne la vallée, basically just outside Paris 🇫🇷, but definitely Scottish at heart.
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