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Gardening in Oz

Plant selection for hilly\rock garden

10 years ago

Hi,

Our house is built on a sloping block. Our front garden (picture attached) is has patches of 'deeper' soil and some that is 30-45cm deep before you hit large rock that you cannot dig through.

We are looking for suggestions of what plants would tolerate this kind of soil. Specifically, along the fence line we would like to plant something to provide some privacy to our neighbours. What sort of tree or shrub would tolerate shallow roots like above?

We were given a Crepe Myrtle but were afraid of planting it there in case it wouldnt tolerate the lack of soil.

Any tips would be appreciate.

Cheers,

Andrew

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Comments (4)

alisonoz_gw
10 years ago
Andrew, I see you've just joined GW.
To help others consider your question, would you please respond with your area (approximate) so we know the State and climatic zone - also some directions as to which way it's facing.
Anything else you can comment on - that slope looks fairly steep have you any experience yet as to how it copes with water run-off?
Also, if there is anything you are aiming for other than privacy - are you wanting a native garden - or open to other choices
write2slappy
Original Author
10 years ago
Hi Alison. Further details:
- Location:Sydney
- Direction: West is looking at the Neighbour Fence in the photo, North to the right i.e. the house
It is mostly in sun all day, a bit of shade down towards the house.
The water seems to be fine. No excess water.
Happy to consider all options at this stage in terms of plants. Something with a bit of colour\flower might be nice.

Thanks alot! Cheers.
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I went there with a friend last weekend. We ended up planting troughs and shallow planters for my friend to take home. I didn't realize HOW MUCH they do have. All kinds of unusual sedums, hens and chicks and much, much more. Frankly, I hadn't heard of quite of few of these plants. Bakemom, knowing how much you like sedums...I saw a few with "your name" on them. *giggle* My friend got about a dozen different plants and, happily, I got a start from almost all of them. I am a happy gardener! Made my first hypertufa planter this summer with help of a neighbor. Now I have some neat plants to put in it. ....Beverly
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You may want to consider High Country Gardens. It is mail order and located in NM. Outstanding Gardenwatchdog ratings. Specializes in your interest. Many plants are 40 percent off now through the 20 june. Either another 10 off or free shipping over 100 bucks. Different discounts when I entered website different ways, but I got the free shipping so was pleased. With free shipping my plants came to about 5.75 each, which is what nurseries used to charge back in old days of selling smaller plants. the main thing is I got plants I have not found at my local pots and soil nurseries. Marie
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You can put just about anything down to interpretation but meanings would become so hazy that no one would know what anyone else was talking about. We live in a country of rampant relativism using phrases like "to each his own" or "thats fine for you but I believe this" on any given subject which makes any discussion break down into nonsense. I guess Canada is no different. I suppose if I wanted to call a garden in my back yard a cloister garden since it was closed in by a chain link fence I could do so according to my own personal interpretation but it would be considered ridiculous to most gardeners. Personally I think its important that words retain universally understood meanings but that seems to be a lost cause nowadays. We can now call things whatever we like or prefer, never mind if none of it is accurate because who is to say we are wrong? Its just our interpretation after all. I'd be ticked off if I'd spent the money to make the drive to see a 'Rock Garden" if I hadn't read before hand it wasn't one at all. Camps, you guys over there seem to go through national garden phases. I suppose we do here too but I don't notice it so much but of course down here in Oklahoma its not like we are on any kind of cutting edge.
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funnelweb
10 years ago
My first considerations given the site and location, would be natives. Leptospermum - a number of varieties are available; Bond's Nursery at Terry Hills (Northern Beaches, Karringai shire) is a good supplier, as are other nurseries along Mona Vale Road. A grevillea or two I think might also be worth a try. As a tree fern seems to be prominent in the photo you could also consider one or two more. Whatever you choose, you have to consider the fact that the soil will be fairly thin there and well drained so any exotics would need to be very hardy.
oldnod
9 years ago
Hi Andrew, I am a long way from you in SEQ but I have passed through that country many times.
If in your position, I would be looking at what survives in the virgin bush and try and identify the ones you like. Also see what others are planting and then do a search in the relevant nurseries.

When we made a move to a new block we over planted expecting some to not like the conditions. We looked after every thing but soon found out which were suitable and which not.

This way you don't loose a full season looking at bare patches waiting for next spring.

Good luck,
Nod

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