QI recently had some stone walls built and asked for a central bed to be left to plant in. I would like something evergreen to be planted. I always like the plant which sprawls over walls and has hundreds of little blue/purple flowers but have no idea what it is called. I’d really appreciate any ideas that you have for planting such beds as it surrounds around half of my garden. Thank you.
Tracy
AI think you are thinking of aubrieta, which is a good choice. It flowers in spring and early summer, and grows best in poor, shallow soil.
There are loads of plants to fill that kind of space. Woody Mediterranean herbs are a good choice, like lavender and rosemary. Evergreens like ivy and creeping Jenny will trail down the wall too.
If the space is shallow, try alpine plants – they are naturally found in rocky spots and will grow well in poor or shallow soil. Sedum and saxifrage are always good choices. Look for carpeters too – they spread quickly and give good colour. Add in spring and summer-flowering bulbs for height.
David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
I have aubrietia trailing down my wall but it’s seems to go woody, should I keep pulling dead heads off to let it re- bloom and how long should it last? I Would appreciate your advice
Thank you
Lynn Buttery
Hi Lynn,
You can trim it as soon as it finishes flowering to encourage it to produce bushier fresh shoots. Apply a nitrogen feed too to encourage soft growth. However, don’t trim it at this time of year as it will be coming into flower soon and you may cut off flower buds.
Hope that helps!
David
This site is the most amazing, wonderful treasure trove of gardening advice I’ve come across since my dear old green-fingered Mum passed away 4 years ago. Thank you so much David and everyone else who puts the work in to make it the valuable and really attractive, readily accessible place that it is :)
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Evening David, i have an ungly retaining back wall in my yard and have no clue with plants but would live something trailing fdown from the garden above it. Its fairly sunny until about 6pm in summer. I would love something colourful but have also have colour in winter of a sorts, perfection would be sented too, i know, i donot ask for much! Can you recomend something? Thanks in advance
Helen