What plants to use to cover Drain Cover in border?

Hello all

I have a small border which is now empty (more weeding to be done) that has a drain cover in the middle:



Years ago there was a 'Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. repens' planted at the top in the picture which trailed over the drain cover.

This was ideal as it was a low grower and had nice blue flowers.

Unfortunately it had to be removed due to issues with the drains in my street and the need for access to the area.

I am now looking for low maintenance perennial plants which will cover the drain cover again and was wondering if a 'Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. repens' would be suitable for this position as I have recently read about needing to be careful when planting near drains.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks in advance

Kevin

 

I have a similar problem.



G.

 

Turn it into a feature.

This is the rubber lid of the pump sump of my koi pool. It's one of those big plastic green water butts set in concrete and is connected by a 4" pipe to the drain in the centre of the bottom of the pool.
The ground cover plants are in no more than two inches or so of soil, as there's the concrete collar of the pool below them.
I of course need access to the pumps, but if it were a drain cover I'd put a ceramic pot on it with a nice plant.




Excuse the ant powder.





For a bigger drain cover I'd use a bigger tub, you can get rectangular ones too.

 

Hello @Doghouse Riley

Thanks for the suggestion.

Unfortunately, the drain cover is not level, it slopes towards the house, to the right in the picture and I have never found a secure way to level a pot or planter at an angle.

Kevin

 

Your problem then is "you know it's there," so you notice it.

Why not grow some phlox?

We planted these at the end of last year and they completely cover our rockery now.



Trust me, once they're established and filled the space around it and you've trailed them over it you'll forget about the drain cover.

 

Kevin, consider rosemary. A prostrate form like Blue Lagoon with evergreen aromatic foliage, brightest of blue flowers and tough as they come.

 

Hello @Doghouse Riley and @Verdun

Thanks for the suggestions.

Kevin

 

Your avatar makes me smile. A golfing pal had a head cover for his driver that I think is the same.

 

I thought it was fitting since it is 'Kevin the Minion' my namesake.

I think I have gotten older but not necessarily grown up which is how it should be

Kevin

 

Here's another Kevin you could have considered.



G.

 

Hello @Jack Sparrow

I do not know if I should be flattered or offended, I think I will go with offended

Also, I am a fan of the Despicable Me movies so Kevin the Minion was an obvious choice for me.

Kevin

 

It's not fair!



G.

 

Hello @Jack Sparrow

Sorry, my Autism is getting in the way here.

Care to elaborate?

Thanks

Kevin

 

Maybe a belfast sink over the top.
Antique belfast sink | in Royston, South Yorkshire | Gumtree

 

Hello @martin-f

Thanks for the suggestion, however, the cover is not level so if I place anything on top it will just accentuate that fact making it look worse.

This is why I am looking to plant something that will cover it.

Kevin