Return to the Gardening in Oz Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Request re tricky situation
| | |
Posted by Larsman Gold Coast (yangdude@hotmail.com) on Mon, Oct 17, 05 at 5:27
| Picture this. I have build a BIG, open, covered deck with roof. One of the supports for the roof is a brick square pillar. The pillar goes to the height of the outside house wall. On top of the pillar is a steel post of a smaller diameter than the brick pillar. This steel post goes up about another 1.5metres to the roof. Right, got it. Anyway, the post looks too thin on top of the pillar, and the idea we have come up with is this - I will put two 'post pots' up near the roof attached to the post, and plants something that will grow down hiding the steel post and generally giving a thicker look. The pot on the outside will be in almost direct sun but the inside one will be in a bright but shaded position. Okay - the tricky question - what do I plant. I've been looking at a few things from Bunnings and a couple of local nurseries but the range seems small -plus the missus and I can't agree on anything to do with plants. I would love some suggestions. Thanks in advance. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Request re tricky situation
| | |
- Posted by deejaus Melb.Vic. Aust (My Page) on
Mon, Oct 17, 05 at 18:47
MM would be the expert on this one, but I was wondering if one of the smaller growing bougainvilleas would do the trick? I don't know too much about them, so it's only an idea.
Cheers,
Dee. |
RE: Request re tricky situation
| | |
I have to agree with Dee. You really can't go wrong with bougs and so many colours to choose from I am sure your wife would be able to choose a colour scheme.
However why grow somwthing down? why not grow something up which can spill over and down. Much easier to water pots which are lower.
The deck sounds great though, hope you have many balmy nights siting with a nice cold one. |
RE: Request re tricky situation
| | |
I agree with Jacq - maybe you could put up a trellis around your brick pillar - take the trellis right up to the roof ignoring the space around the thin post at the top.
There are several options with the trellis - from wood to various wire ones. You could plant almost anything in a pot (or two) at the bottom of the post for it to climb right to the roof.
The old jasmine is pretty rampant. There's probably something more suitable. Whatever you decide on, you'll no doubt find you'll only get flowers on the sunny side and all tendrils etc with head towards the sun. Should look good nevertheless.
The other option, of course, is to buy some bricks and take them up to the roof. |
RE: Request re tricky situation
| | |
| For the sunny side, if you want something really fast and lush and green that will hang down - try sweet potato. Buy one from the shop and put it in the hanging basket. They are low care plants and look very nice. You won't get a crop from them, but that's not the point. |
RE: Request re tricky situation
| | |
Definately agree with the up rather than down option. Any plant growing down will eventually get thin near the pot whereas plants growing up to the light will naturally bush out when they hit it. Stephanotis loves cool roots but full sun on its foliage and flowers, and is always green and shiney even when not in flower. Maybe you could plant
it in the ground beside the post. There is also a very nice pink thornless old fashined rose (Renae I think) which would not be too rampant and would do the job well. You will have to put some sort of support at the top of the post though and if the concrete is new perhaps you should plant into a large pot as there may be too much lime for the plants. |
RE: Request re tricky situation
| | |
| Could you cover the metal posts with wood to bulk them out a bit. |
|
|
|
|
