Advice on covering bank

Bill O Herlihy · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 7:51 pm Post subject: Advice on covering bank

Hi all,

I'm new here and new to this gardening lark. I am looking for advice on covering a bank that drops from my driveway down to a part of the garden.
The bank is approx 30mtrs long so I am looking for something low cost and lowish maintenance. I would like something that will grow fast and over time I will probably add a few bits and pieces to add a bit of colour and break it up a bit.
Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Bill O Herlihy · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:22 pm Post subject:

photo

The Garden Shop · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:33 pm Post subject:

Hello bill

Some options include:
Heathers (space 60cm apart and weed regularly, should fill out after 2 or 3 years) Summer flowering heathers (Calluna) require acidic soils, otherwise go for winter flowering Ericas

Cotoneaster dammeri, this is a commonly used fast growing, evergreen ground cover with red berries in autumn / winter. (space 100cm apart)

Ivy can be used if your bank is shady. Its fast growing, evergreen and neat. but will require regular cutting back once established.

Another option is St johns wort. Its native to ireland, flowers yellow in summer and likes a sunny location.

Bill O Herlihy · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:40 pm Post subject:

The Garden Shop · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:53 pm Post subject:

The plastic is a weed membrane (or weed fabric) and i would recommend using it. However; in your case the slope of your bank seems quite steep and you would not be able to cover the weed membrane with decorative bark chippings. So it might look a bit unsightly, but again would save on A LOT of weeding.

All the plants suggested are hardy, but my favorite: St johns wort would not like the north facing aspect

kindredspirit · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:58 pm Post subject:

A bank of prostrate junipers? There're blue ones, golden ones and ones that are green but turn ruby red in the winter.

A whole bank of Purple Ajuga (Evening Glow for example). It'll stifle all the weeds and your lawnmower will keep it in check at the bottom.

A bank full of creeping thyme. The yellow ones and the green ones.

With all these three suggestions you can stick in some taller plants here and there to relieve the monotony. Very Happy

Bill O Herlihy · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 9:01 pm Post subject:

Bill O Herlihy · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 9:08 pm Post subject:

Greengage · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:20 pm Post subject:

Dogwoods planted in banks of Green, Yellow, Red,
Forget about membrane waste of time and money
short answer

kindredspirit · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 6:16 pm Post subject:

kindredspirit · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 6:21 pm Post subject:

Greengage · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 10:05 am Post subject:

we are talking about a private garden here not a municipal park where public have no respect for facalities

Greengage · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 10:15 am Post subject:

Dogwoods and Rosa rugosa on bank

Sive · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 12:05 pm Post subject:

I think massed dogwoods look magical....especially in the winter when we really appreciate their beautiful colours.
A good idea, Greengage.

Greengage · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 1:09 pm Post subject:

yesssssssssss approval at last
Tks, I thought it looked good myself and the client was chuffed especially in winter /Early spring when the light catches it just right. Theres a couple of Ornimental Apples (Malus John Downie and 'Director Moerlands and Evereste) planted on the bank for Autumn fruit and leaf colour.