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What to grow on low brick wall to look nice (and deter people sitting on it!)

emjl9891emjl9891 Posts: 17
in Plants
Hello, hope you’re having  a nice Sunday.

I have a low brick wall at the front of my house, and people literally use it as a park bench! I wouldn’t mind but it’s the same group every day for hours each day and they all smoke, and all the smoke drifts into my living room which is really unpleasant especially in summer when I have the windows open.

I’d like to try to deter the sitting by growing something all over the wall, flowers of some sort if possible, but I have no idea what I could grow. Any ideas please share!

thank you!
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  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    edited 28 January
    Could you have a word with them or put up a sign?

    I expect if you planted flowers or something low growing to hang over the wall, like aubretia or phlox subulata, they would sit on them.

    What about a low growing prickly hedge, like a dwarf purple berberis?
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • emjl9891emjl9891 Posts: 17
    I’ve tried but works for a day or two and then they’re back (along with their litter), it’s very tiresome (sigh!). So I thought a physical barrier of flowers might work… I know it probably won’t make a difference but I can at least hope!

    I have googled your suggestions and they are great! I love the idea of a Aubretia/phlox covered wall… thank you!!! 
  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
    You could try erigeron too.
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
  • emjl9891emjl9891 Posts: 17
    Another great suggestion, thank you! Does anyone know how I would grow these - should I get those little pots with a hook that attach to the wall, or should I plant in flower bed below and train up the wall? I’ve seen pictures online of flowers growing directly into a more rugged wall, but my wall is red brick so doesn’t have crevices for the roots… thanks! 
  • emjl9891emjl9891 Posts: 17
    BenCotto said:

    A few dabs of axle grease as well as plants should do the trick.
    Haha too funny! 😆 I am tempted…. 😂
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    Personally I am no fan of little hanging pots. They dry out very rapidly and, in my view, look twee. If you want to raise the planting off the ground in order to grow lower growing plants that spill over the wall and tumble towards the pavement, I would suggest getting some long plastic troughs supported on sturdy brackets. Petunia Tidal Wave Red Velour could look stunning in that arrangement. I would put three plants in a 3’ trough.
    Rutland, England
  • clematisdorsetclematisdorset Posts: 1,348
    I have had to deal with this problem and agree that spiky plants are the way to deter them, without putting up signs etc. I think a row of spiky plants, like a Berberis would work. You could fill the gaps with other, smaller, trailing plants.
    Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus 
  • emjl9891emjl9891 Posts: 17
    edited 28 January
    Excellent ideas, thank you!
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