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Post by Auricula on Apr 27, 2008 18:14:56 GMT
I have a south facing bank at the back of my garden, bordering a field.It has a slope upwards of about 30degrees and has good, deep soil.It is covered in 3 things which go mad down here - 3 cornered leeks, crocosmia montbretia and winter flowering heliotrope ( a real thug which spreads below ground like bindweed only with thicker stalks)I keep clearing it ( to no avail) and planted hardy geraniums but they were strangled by these weeds and have given up the ghost  Likewise rockroses I want to clear the bank, put weed supressing membrane down and plant low growing shrubs through it ( they have to be low so as not to mask the view) Any ideas? It is near the patio so I would like colour Thanks  |
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Post by Ruthie on Apr 27, 2008 18:58:52 GMT
The first thing which springs to mind is Helianthemums (rock roses) which come in all sorts of very bright colours and love a south facing bank. I know you've already tried them but if you make a concentrated effort to get rid of the weeds they are a great bet for that situation. They are low growing too, only about 1-2'. They are evergreen although they don't look brilliant in Winter. They need a trim every now and then and may not live for a 100 years but they may fit the bill.
Another possibility is Thymes with many different foliage and flower colours, Hebes, although you'll have to watch the height and herbs like Salvia (there are at least 3 different foliage types of Salvia officinalis).
Phlomis may be good depending, again, on the max height you want.
Can't think of any more just at the moment but there must be loads!! I wish I had a south facing bank!! (Minus the weeds of course).
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2008 7:21:46 GMT
I have a south facing bank at the back of my garden, bordering a field.It has a slope upwards of about 30degrees and has good, deep soil.It is covered in 3 things which go mad down here - 3 cornered leeks, crocosmia montbretia and winter flowering heliotrope ( a real thug which spreads below ground like bindweed only with thicker stalks)I keep clearing it ( to no avail) and planted hardy geraniums but they were strangled by these weeds and have given up the ghost Likewise rockroses I want to clear the bank, put weed supressing membrane down and plant low growing shrubs through it ( they have to be low so as not to mask the view) Any ideas? It is near the patio so I would like colour Thanks I would suggest growing day lilies. ;D www.plantpress.com/plant-encyclopedia/plantdb.php?plant=5120 |
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Post by Auricula on Apr 28, 2008 10:03:54 GMT
Thanks girls Both rock roses and daylilies sound lovely, will they be ok planted through membrane? If I intersperce them with a few low growing hebes it should look a picture...and ..no more weeds-hoorah!! ;D |
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Post by andy on Apr 29, 2008 9:50:25 GMT
Caryopteris clandonensis 'worcester gold'...blue flowers in late summer 3' max
Ceratistigma willmotianum...blue flowers in late summer 2' max
Any small hardy fuchsia such as volyaire or mrs popple
Any low growing conifers such as Junipers to five a bit of foliage colour
Lavenders...Hidcote or munsted are dwarf
Convolvulus cnoreum...silver foliage, white flowers, 3' max
Cistus sp...loves dry sunny banks (could be classed as rock rose or sun rose)
Helianthemum...as with Cistus
Dwarf brooms...cytissus.
Small Berberis thungbergii
Small Euonymous species
But, it it was my bank, i'd spend all this summer spraying the whole lot with roundup and then i'd build a rockery.
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Post by Auricula on Apr 30, 2008 9:51:08 GMT
Funnily enough I did think of doing that, I was worried though that alpines might not establish or spread quickly enough and that the heliotrope et al might reappear and smother everything!! >:(Thanks for the plant list....I'll give it more thought |
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Post by nightowl on May 3, 2008 12:11:35 GMT
When I had a steep bank to cover, I tried Hypericums and they were very successful  They don't let much overcome them  Auricula,  , what's a 3 cornered leek  |
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Post by Auricula on May 5, 2008 11:21:59 GMT
Also known as wild garlic - look like white bluebells,smell oniony and are real thugs in Cornwall - they're everywhere and colonise very quickly.They are quite pretty but as they swamp everything in sight and spread like mad, you can definitely have too much of a good thing!!  Love hypericum, thanks for the thought |
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Post by Auricula on Jun 26, 2008 21:51:51 GMT
My bank is now fully planted up with a mixture of rock/sun roses ( cystus ) and low growing hypericum.They have all taken and are beginning to flower ( although a little more sunshine wouldn't go amiss!! )I just hope they spread once they are established and then it will be all systems go ;D
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Post by Amo on Jun 27, 2008 18:48:00 GMT
Look forward to seeing the pics!!
My hypericums seem to be taking forever in my bank at the moment. But they are the sort that one day I'll look over my shoulder and they'll be coming for me!!! ;D
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Post by Auricula on Jun 27, 2008 22:52:05 GMT
Yes, they have a habit of sneaking up on you and taking you by surprise ;D
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Post by nightowl on Jun 28, 2008 15:02:19 GMT
Also known as wild garlic - look like white bluebells,smell oniony and are real thugs in Cornwall - they're everywhere and colonise very quickly.They are quite pretty but as they swamp everything in sight and spread like mad, you can definitely have too much of a good thing!! Love hypericum, thanks for the thought Ahh, you mean Ramsons! Some places around here are smothered with them too. Quite overpowering when you drive up a road covered on both banks! Phew! |
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Post by Auricula on Jun 28, 2008 20:29:49 GMT
Indeed - I wouldn't mind so much if the smell kept nasty things away, but it doesn't!! |
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Likewise rockroses 
They don't let much overcome them 
, what's a 3 cornered leek 
Love hypericum, thanks for the thought 