West facing wall with poor soil

[Westcountrycat]

hi all,

I have a west facing concrete block wall, currently has lawn up to it but I would like to dig out a border and add some tall plants, roses etc and other tall to mid plants to cover the ugly wall and create a cottage garden feel.

The wall is about 7' the soil will be bad as we are struggling with the lawn a bit but we will add a good layer of compost. However looking at hardy, poor soil drought resistant, fairly low maintainance climbers / bushes with some lower perennials to make it look nice and full.

Does anyone have any ideas of plants that would be good here or any advice much appreciated

Thank you

 

[Beth_B]

Hi!

Hollyhocks and foxgloves come right to mind for tall, hardy perennials that flower most of the season. As long as the spot gets at least six hours of sun most days.

A bushy option would be wiegelia, 2-4' tall and long-lasting flowers.

For shorter plants the world is your oyster, pretty much. If you have a good garden center available, I'd go there, trundle around, and see what appeals to you. You can switch things around each year with annuals, or pick some lower-growing perennials.

 

[Larisa]

I agree with @Beth_B . It can be conifers too. Or trellis for climbing plants.

 

[Greenhorn]

Star Jasmine comes to mind. It can be fairly sturdy and use minimal water. It will grown and climb. A trellis would be good and it could be shaped \ managed via trellis if one wanted. Have you thought about espalier ?

 

[alp]

Bamboos would be nice but make sure they are clumpsters and not runners. Go for Fargesia Blue Fountain which has shinny reddish stems or phyllostachys Niger which has black stem. A lot of watering and once they are established, there shouldn't be any problems. The quickest way is to get a runner and bury it horizontally and in a few months' time, you will have new shoots. I did that last winter and now I have 4 new shoots.