Hi,
We have a sloping block, which has been leveled into two flatish areas by means of a crescent shaped cut in.
Question is, are there any plants that will grow on the steep (but not vertical) crescent, it would be better to plant up than put in retaining wall.
Any advise appreciated
[img]https://users.tpg.com.au/govie/Turfed.JPG[/img]
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bullthistle
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The Helpful Gardener
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Sometimes the best garden feature isn't a plant. Considering your slope I agree a retaining wall is the best bet; plant it to hide it (and stabilize it some), even if it is just a few boulders...
A rock garden amongst a "scree" of boulders would look great from the pool and feature dought tolerant plants that love it around rocks...
HG
A rock garden amongst a "scree" of boulders would look great from the pool and feature dought tolerant plants that love it around rocks...
HG
Thanks all,
The grass isn't as bad as it seems, it was freshly laid and the rolls were a little brown, but should come good.
I am leaning toward the scree slope idea with some plants in pockets. I do have lots of sandstone boulders left over from the excavation. I've never done that before; although I do enjoy gardening
The crescent gets full sun, it faces almost directly north so plants will need to be very tough. I'll have a look in local nurseries and see what migth work.
Cheers
The grass isn't as bad as it seems, it was freshly laid and the rolls were a little brown, but should come good.
I am leaning toward the scree slope idea with some plants in pockets. I do have lots of sandstone boulders left over from the excavation. I've never done that before; although I do enjoy gardening
The crescent gets full sun, it faces almost directly north so plants will need to be very tough. I'll have a look in local nurseries and see what migth work.
Cheers
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The Helpful Gardener
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Honestly I see a small pond going there. The elevation change is perfect for a nice cascading waterfall and stream bed down to a liner pond with skimmer box. Maybe a 8'l x 4-5'w x 36"d.
It's just what I see there
Only plant that seems to come to mind for the location without the above would be Gaillardia (Blanket flower) and Sedum (take your pick). With some boulders outcropped into the slope. I wouldn't plant anything to high unless you connected the slope to the bed along the back of the property. If you did that the options would be endless.
It's just what I see there
Only plant that seems to come to mind for the location without the above would be Gaillardia (Blanket flower) and Sedum (take your pick). With some boulders outcropped into the slope. I wouldn't plant anything to high unless you connected the slope to the bed along the back of the property. If you did that the options would be endless.
I did have visions of a pond. It would have looked quite nice at night if lit from under with light ripples playing along the curve.
But alas it was not to be. There are lots of leaves from a Jacaranda nearby and a Liquid Amber. That and my wife thinks ponds are just hazards for kids to drown in, and I can understand that even if I don't think that's true.
[img]https://users.tpg.com.au/govie/Turfing.JPG[/img]
[img]https://users.tpg.com.au/govie/courtyard.JPG[/img]
The landscaping is really on a tight budget, we renovated at the same time. I was kind of after a more informal feel to the top area, hence the curves, instead of the straight lines of the courtyard area we have below it.
But alas it was not to be. There are lots of leaves from a Jacaranda nearby and a Liquid Amber. That and my wife thinks ponds are just hazards for kids to drown in, and I can understand that even if I don't think that's true.
[img]https://users.tpg.com.au/govie/Turfing.JPG[/img]
[img]https://users.tpg.com.au/govie/courtyard.JPG[/img]
The landscaping is really on a tight budget, we renovated at the same time. I was kind of after a more informal feel to the top area, hence the curves, instead of the straight lines of the courtyard area we have below it.
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applestar
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With the budget issue, this may not be a viable idea right now, but what about a "pondless" waterfall? You would get the water sounds and attraction without the drowning hazard since the water will be going into an underground reservoir. Your kids would love it... especially if you also install waterjets to squirt water up or even just a pond statue with a "spitter" 
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The Helpful Gardener
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AS raises a good point; water features can be pondless offering the sight and sound of water (both cooling in their own way) without that hazard the DW is worried about...
Insurance companies over here were actually touting them in a circular I saw last year!
Ethics, the last two on your list are invasives here, let alone in Australia, where invasives can be even more of an issue. The truly ethical thing to do is not to use invasive plants...
HG
Insurance companies over here were actually touting them in a circular I saw last year!
Ethics, the last two on your list are invasives here, let alone in Australia, where invasives can be even more of an issue. The truly ethical thing to do is not to use invasive plants...
HG
It all sounds wonderful. I was looking at the pictures and thinking to my self what I would do in this situation. Here is what I thought of...
First I would plant a carpet of red clover that would be a perfect ground cover and add visual effect. In the center I would add a poolless water feature. Maybe like a water fall that has a light in it. I have seen them and had a flyer but can not place the name right now. Once the clover is established I would add another flowering plant or crape myrtle mabe white on both side.
Just an idea though..
First I would plant a carpet of red clover that would be a perfect ground cover and add visual effect. In the center I would add a poolless water feature. Maybe like a water fall that has a light in it. I have seen them and had a flyer but can not place the name right now. Once the clover is established I would add another flowering plant or crape myrtle mabe white on both side.
Just an idea though..