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Perrenials for Cinder Block holes?
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Posted by
bgaviator 6 (
My Page) on
Wed, May 30, 12 at 5:38
Hello,
In the hill that I have been trying to establish Ajuga to take over the hill, I have a row of cinder blocks that I used to try and divide the hill into different levels. They don't really look the best on their own, but I'm not really wanting to remove them either. Is there some type of perennial that will grow well in the small holes of the cinder blocks? Preferably something that would cascade over and cover the front of the cinder blocks so that you wouldn't even know they are there? If so, what kind of considerations do I need to make sure plants grow well there (particular soil mixes, watering, etc?).
Thanks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Perrenials for Cinder Block holes?
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here in the UK, aubrieta or the smaller campanulas are frequently used for this sort of thing. There are a number of alpines also suitable (I suggest a visit to the alpine or rock garden forum). I have seen escholtzias (californian poppies) and reseda (mignonette)and even nasturtiums grown as short term annuals.
I grow a small climber or creeper which has a great tolerance for drought (an issue) and a tiny rootball - rhodochiton sanguineas. Finally, there is a little toadflax which I am fond of - practically a weed here - linaria muralis (I think) and a number of creeping veronicas. I might be tempted by smaller grasses such as festuca glauca or even stipa tenuissima. Sure my spellings are dodgy, apols. |
RE: Perrenials for Cinder Block holes?
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| Cerastium tomentosum, Creeping Jenny (green or yellow), Dianthus 'Bath's Pink', Lamiums--for starters |
RE: Perrenials for Cinder Block holes?
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| Would creeping thyme work? do they cascade over much? I would like them to cascade to complete conceal the front of the cinder block wall, so they won't have to spill very far. |
RE: Perrenials for Cinder Block holes?
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| you may have problems with the cement leaching water from the plants ... as well as adding stuff [of which i cant recall right now] ... aged or older block would probably be fine .. if you fail .. you might try glazed things like flue liners .... ken |
RE: Perrenials for Cinder Block holes?
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| I tried that in a vegetable bed that was made of cinder block and ended up taking it apart and going back to wood, because I didn't like the effect the blocks had on my plants. I did try growing thyme in the holes and I think some kinds did okay and some didn't. The problem I had, was that the blocks heat up in the sun and they heat the soil and many plants didn't like it. I was watering a lot more. Also does dry out the ground around them. And the holes are just too small. You can experiment is about all I can suggest. Try different plants in different holes. I would stay away from Creeping Jenny. If you do a search you will find people who wish they had never planted it. Cerastium tomentosum is gorgeous and will cover a lot of ground and might not mind the heat, but, it doesn't look very good after blooming. I always cut mine back after bloom and without doing that, it looks pretty untidy and worn out. Do you want to be cutting the plant back every year? Depends I guess on how many cement blocks you have. Phlox subulata might be worth a try. It blooms in spring but after bloom it looks good the rest of the season. You might have to trim it every three years? If it worked out. I have a golden thyme that seems to grow anywhere very vigorously and seems indestructible. And they are known to tolerate heat, I believe. If you can find a nursery that specializes in herbs, they might be able to direct you to a vigorous variety of thyme to try. Not seeing a photo of your cinderblocks, I wonder if you can plant something on the ground above the blocks that can then grow down and cover them? Or is it actually a wall? |
RE: Perrenials for Cinder Block holes?
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| If in the sun/part sun, you might consider the cascading, ornamental oregano varieties. Use a potting mix with perlite, just like a container. A friend of mine grows succulents in her wall, but it sounds like you want more of a cascading look. I've included a link to her blog article with photos. She lives in Austin, Texas so keep in mind that her zone is different from yours and you'd have to research succulents for your zone. Cameron |
Here is a link that might be useful: Succulent wall
RE: Perrenials for Cinder Block holes?
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- Posted by mytime 3/4 Alaska (My Page) on
Wed, May 30, 12 at 12:22
| I built a raised planter out of landscaping brick...the first few years some plants didn't like it due to the higher pH. Then the bricks finished leaching and it is all just fine. |
RE: Perrenials for Cinder Block holes?
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| The first plant that comes to mind to me is sedums, especially 'Angelina' and 'Dragonsblood' which cascade with little water or soil. |
RE: Perrenials for Cinder Block holes?
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| I really like the look of that Dragon's Blood Sedum! I think I might try that! |
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