cover wall without soil at base

Hi, I'd like to use a climbing plant to partially cover a large brick wall, but the wall does not have soil at the base. the Wall is to the side of the drive way so there's no soil at all on that aspect of the house.

Is it still possible for me to grow some climbers, maybe with containers at the bottom instead?

Any other suggestions for dressing the ugly bare wall would also be welcome

Regards
Kenny

 

Hi Kenny,

There is no reason why you couldn't grow climbers in containers. Check this out:

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Advice/profiles0605/climbers_containers.asp

you would even have the option of growing a lot more exotic species if you could overwinter them inside! I am going to try it myself with some bougainvillea this year for example!

Cheers,

Dave

 

Either in containers, or build yourself a little brick or timber 'container' along the bottom of the wall, leaving holes at the bottom for drainage. Rubble in the bottom and top up with soil and plant away to your hearts content. Works great and looks good too

 

If it's a tarmac drive you can dig it up a bit. It is quite easy to do. Then clear a wider space underneath the hole removing the stones etc. Fill it with soil/compost and then do as Whis4ey advises.

 

You'll need something on the wall for it to cling to Kennyboy. Either a series of horizontal wires or a trellis. Also, you haven't said which way the wall faces. This will affect which climbers will do best.:gnthb:
Chris

 

This is great advice, thanks guys - between the 4 responses I've got everything I need, I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks again
Kenny

 

"You'll need something on the wall for it to cling to ..."

Might be worth looking at Vine Eyes - they will hold the wires several inches off the surface of the wall, and give the plant room to grow - wires very close to the wall are notoriously difficult to train plants around

Here's the first one I found in Google
http://www.stainless-landscape.co.uk/vineeyes.php


Actually, here is possibly a more representative picture, but price not so good:
http://www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/product_Vine-eyes---screw-in_706_index.php

 

Best place for vine eyes, a local hardware store, That's where I get my wire from also!
When using them in a brick wall, I always use a rawlplug as well.

Hope this Helps!

 

By the by, I've had no luck with the triangular ones - hardened or not they just bent double when I tried to knock them into the wall. But that was years and years ago, they may have improved by now.