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What to plant in this area
charles_41
Posts: 3
in Plants
I have a section close the river side that, i have just cleared of Ivy and dead plants. This river floads every year at winter and last year was perticularly bad. I would like to know what I should plant on the river side to keep the structure of the bank, while being in the shade of a few trees?
I am not sure if I should plant flowery plans or trees or gard hedges to keep children safe(possible children visiters)?
Any ideas?
0
Posts
I think I'd go for a mix of coppiced withies (willow) and cornus (dog woods) both of which come in varieties with different coloured young stems so if you coppice them every few years you can have a wonderful 'glow' of golds, ambers, yellows and greens. The roots will help to stabilise the bank. Among them you could grow candelabra primulas which will be perfectly happy with regular flooding
http://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/have_you_seen_these_photos_of_beautiful_primulas_on_your_doorstep_1_4543805
I spent my childhood surrounded by rivers, ponds, moats, dykes etc and so did my children - my tactic is that while children are to young to behave sensibly near water, ensure they are supervised but not frightened of the water.
Last edited: 16 March 2017 11:12:46
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Oops, my suggestion won't work for the UK. Deleting my link.
Last edited: 16 March 2017 13:31:59
I'd have to have some Flag irises and some cuckoo flower, ragged robins and snakes head fritillaries in grass
In the sticks near Peterborough
Thank you so much for your advise.. Time to shop around and get stuck in
Did you get started Charles_41? I just love a project!
If you want to preserve the river bank edge from erosion slip you could drive some short pointed logs in, about a foot or two out into river, then back fill behind the upright logs with rolls of coir, rolled turf or barley straw. This 'buffer zone' can be planted with hardy marginals like Iris or Zantedeschia that actually prefer wet feet and tree shade.
It makes an amphibian haven too. I know the Environment Agency uses this method to restore eroded banks and provide habitat. My two plant suggestions are non-invasive and are considered native.
MLx
I thought Zantedeschia came from Africa. With a name like Zantedeschia aethiopica it does hint at such origins
Naturalised?
In the sticks near Peterborough
Yep, originally from New Zealand and S Africa but now naturalised on every continent except Antarctica.
Calla lily family come in dwarf forms too and a myriad of colours but all love damp,squadgey areas. I wonder what Charles found for the shade and flood zone.
MLx
I hope he's chosen from the native range, it would seem more appropriate to the situation.
In the sticks near Peterborough