Growing box plant in a bed made of bricks on top of a wall
Hi,
We recently moved to a new house and the front boundary facing the pavement is made from brick. At the top of this waist high brick wall they have stood bricks on there end and created a sort of flower bed in the middle.
Being new to anything 'garden' as previously lived in a flat. We are unsure whether filling this bed with some soil and fertilizer and bedding in some box plants will be a waste of time or not?
The flower bed area at the top is at the top is about 15-20cm wide and probably 30cm deep.
We would like to grow and maintain a small box hedging at the top to make it look nicer probably no larger then 40cm.
Is this possible given that the bed is made of entirely brick, would drainage be an issue and is that enough room to allow them to grow?
Many thanks!
Tom
Posts
Hi Tomsb - a couple of questions. Is there anything growing in it already? Are the bricks mortared onto the existing wall? If so, as you have already asked, are there any holes or any other means to allow water to drain away?
A pic would be a great help if you can manage one
PS - The depth of soil (30 cm) would counteract the lack of width in the bed, but you'd need to be prepared to keep the plants well nourished as the soil will eventually lack nutrients.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks for the quick response fairygirl!
A picture will probably help you understand so I will be sure to get one as soon as I am home from work.
There is some soil already in there, although extremely dry but I guess that is a good thing? Meaning it doesn't get water logged etc...
The bricks are mortared on although there are various cracks at the end and maybe some small holes in the mortar from memory.
How big would you say an achievable box hedge could be in terms of size in these circumstances? Ideally I'd like to keep it around 40/50cm and have it nice and thick/dense.
Thanks in advance
Tom
I'd say you'd be letting yourself in for a lot of watering, feeding and inablity to go on holiday.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Your best bet would be to plant a hedge on the garden side of the wall (obviously) and use the brick "trough" for plants that don't mind a bit of drought and hardship. You could have aubretia and the like tumbling down the front of the wall. I've seen some very nice pleached hedging growing behind walls that have rockery plants growing from them.
I had a feeling it might mean watering often which I am not too worried about.
Ceres - I thought that box plants where quite good in those circumstances? Can survive droughts etc and hardship?
Its a fairly small size front garden, mid terraced house so planting them behind the wall would be a no go plus we aren't likely to be there for more then 2/3 years so growing a box hedge to over the height of the wall would take quite abit longer as i don't want to pay out loads for mature ones.
Basically just want something to look nice not over the top to give off a good impression.
Many thanks
Tom
I'd agree with the others - you'd be better to go with some alpine type planting which will cope with poor soil and conditions. They'll establish quickly and then look after themselves. Garden Centres, nurseries and diy stores sell them very cheaply. You could also add a few Nasturtium seeds in spring to fill gaps. I have a similar construction along my back fence - it's like a long window box. I'm in the middle of finishing it and it has a couple of small Euphorbia (Fen's Ruby I think) Aubretias, Arabis, Saxifrages and a few variegated ivies with some other bits and pieces which will hang down and give some spring colour. I also have a few cream coloured Nasturtiums to fill the gaps.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I've grown box plants in pots and they will be quite happy for a few years but eventually get a bit pot bound. They will put up with a bit of harsh living but will need regular watering and feeding. Box plants don't grow very fast so you will need reasonable sized specimens to start with or you won't see the result of your labours before you move on to pastures new. Euonymous will also make a good low hedge and that isn't too fussy about conditions. Go for it. I think your wall-top hedge is a lovely idea.
Appreciate the advice and guidance people. A bit torn with what to do.
I do love the idea of the box hedge siting on top of the brick and might just give it a go, I can get 10 x 40cm plants on ebay for £29.99 so I'm not risking much if it all goes wrong. I wouldn't need them to grow much higher just more dense! So if I can keep them alive until the end of next summer I might see some results atleast. And if it becomes too much work or they start to die I will perhaps go for the more easier to maintain ideas that you guys mention.
Thanks again, appreciate it.
Tom