Fig tree next to a wall is standard (but not a standard). Apparently (I haven't done it, but my friend has) you make a bottomless box in the hole from four 2' paving slabs to restrain the roots, otherwise it grows loads of roots and branches but no fruit. Only that box needs to be full of compost/soil. Or you could use a container of similar size, but as you say, that would make it too high.
Apples (and most pears) do well on a west-facing wall; if it's north- or east-facing you might try gooseberries (which, contrary to received wisdom, can be grown as espaliers - I've done it). Or something pretty and flowery, but that's not my department!
I'm coming back to this job after abandoning it last year...
Rather than an apple tree I was thinking to put in a nice climber. Perhaps a climbing rose. Does anyone have any suggestions of a good variety that provides colour for several months?
It would need to be planted under the round light (see photo at the start of the thread) and then be trained across the top of the window.
How big a square hole in the patio would I need to cut out?I don't really want to use planters because I'd like to keep the height of the base down, and I could forget to water.
I used an angle grinder and then my old SDS drill to break up the concrete underneath. I've lined the edge of the hole next to the garage wall with fresh concrete so the roots grow the other way, and filled the hole with John Innes no 3 and manure (based on my web search of what roses like to eat!).
What do you think?
Next step is to put up some vine eyes and then plant my rose.
John Innes No.3 and manure sounds great. You could mix in some good topsoil as well. That is going to be one pampered rose - I look forward to your photos of it in full bloom!
I think that wall looks a thousand times better just for being cleaned up and painted - should look great with a rose on it You could try a clematis in there as well if you shade the roots with pebbles.
Just a thought about vine eyes and wires though...
What will you do when you next need to paint the wall?
I'm no great shakes at DIY but I think there is a way of mounting hinged trellis type sections so they can be folded away from the wall for maintenance. Just a thought.
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
Posts
Fig tree next to a wall is standard (but not a standard). Apparently (I haven't done it, but my friend has) you make a bottomless box in the hole from four 2' paving slabs to restrain the roots, otherwise it grows loads of roots and branches but no fruit. Only that box needs to be full of compost/soil. Or you could use a container of similar size, but as you say, that would make it too high.
Apples (and most pears) do well on a west-facing wall; if it's north- or east-facing you might try gooseberries (which, contrary to received wisdom, can be grown as espaliers - I've done it). Or something pretty and flowery, but that's not my department!
I'm coming back to this job after abandoning it last year...
Rather than an apple tree I was thinking to put in a nice climber. Perhaps a climbing rose. Does anyone have any suggestions of a good variety that provides colour for several months?
It would need to be planted under the round light (see photo at the start of the thread) and then be trained across the top of the window.
How big a square hole in the patio would I need to cut out?I don't really want to use planters because I'd like to keep the height of the base down, and I could forget to water.
paul's scarlet is a very nice rose
...but you can't eat them!
true..... y
u could try of course - but mind the thorns
I've now cut a hole for the rose!
I used an angle grinder and then my old SDS drill to break up the concrete underneath. I've lined the edge of the hole next to the garage wall with fresh concrete so the roots grow the other way, and filled the hole with John Innes no 3 and manure (based on my web search of what roses like to eat!).
What do you think?
Next step is to put up some vine eyes and then plant my rose.
John Innes No.3 and manure sounds great. You could mix in some good topsoil as well. That is going to be one pampered rose - I look forward to your photos of it in full bloom!
I think that wall looks a thousand times better just for being cleaned up and painted - should look great with a rose on it
You could try a clematis in there as well if you shade the roots with pebbles.
Just a thought about vine eyes and wires though...
What will you do when you next need to paint the wall?
I'm no great shakes at DIY but I think there is a way of mounting hinged trellis type sections so they can be folded away from the wall for maintenance. Just a thought.