Size of flower bed for runners

Hi,

I'm having my patio redone and need to let the builder know the size I want leaving for a section that is approx 2 meters long where I'd like to plan some runners (clematis) up a trellis onto the wall. How big would you say the section needs to be be?

My slabs are 600 x 600. Leaving a cut out 1800 x 300 (half a slab) seems to be a bit too big to me but I wondered what your thoughts were.

Thanks for the help/advice.

 

It's a bit like this this I'm talking.... https://i.pinimg.com/736x/46/96/8f/...bacd2d1--climbing-vines-climbing-clematis.jpg

Although we were thinking of not having the plants at the bottom. Not sure what the plants at the bottom are called?!

If we didn't have them and just had the clematis could we put stones/gravel over the top to conceal the soil?

 

Quick sketch to show what I mean
So the section in brown is what I'm trying to work out the dimensions for.


how do i upload a picture

 

@chris_elevate Hi Chris, for what my input is worth I personally would go for the larger dimension border, as many of us gardeners will no doubt agree have spent lots of time going back over previous work, and widening the initial borders as you find yourself requiring more planting space The plants at the bottom of the Clematis diagram ...look like daylilies possibly? which is quite possible as with Clematis they like their heads in the sun (unless they are shade loving varieties)but their roots in the shade so the evergreen leaves of the daylilies would provide that ....Similarly evergreen varieties of hardy geraniums are often used to protect the roots from direct sun- The gravel you mentioned could still be placed over the top of the soil, but if in full sun IMHO, of course, depending where you live, wouldn't necessarily offer much protective shade from the sun as gravel tends to be a sun warmth trap in my garden... which I hasten to add is not in an area known for hot sunshine
Hope this helps a little .......Great diagrams by the way

 

Definately Daylilies. 2 Choices to protect Clematis roots from hot sunshine, a stone mulch or planting, and later will compete with the clematis roots.

 

No mention of soil depth under that area and also what the soil (?) is like under the nearby flags.

Would suggest a least 600mm of good fresh soil/compost for the actual bed.

 

At my parent's house I cut a 300mm/1 foot square hole through their insitu concrete paving, dug out as much as I could of the hardcore and clay subsoil underneath, also tunnelling out to the sides below, filled with topsoil/compost mix, planted a Clematis, covered the exposed soil with stone mulch, and after a few years it grew up to their eaves/guttering every year.

 

That is something I would like to know how to do. I've got a ghastly thick concrete patio and a hankering to "open" up some planting holes. No idea how to go about it without totally wrecking the whole patio

 

Use one of these

9 " Angle Grinders, 9" Disc Cutter | Power Tools | Screwfix.com
Use one of these

 

Thanks @Scrungee

 

Ok, thought you'd like to see the update/almost finished product!

So, I've actually ended up a nice 2.4m x 0.6m approx size gap for my flower bed with a good depth on it too. I guess it'd be good to drop in a fabric barrier and the fill it up with top soil?

Originally I wanted clematis in there. Do you still think they would look nice if I put a bit of trellis up on the wall? What do you think to using roses too?

Any other suggestions/ideas for what types of plants I could use to fill this area and make it look nice please? I'm like them to flower/cover the wall for much of the year as possible and be relatively low in maintenance.

Thanks so much for your help and suggestions.