Open Association of Landscape Industries
What would you do with this......
We took over a business park at beginning of November with a remit (and budget) to make some improvements.
One area of immediate concern for the client is a small steep bank (~50deg) that is long, thin and runs between to 'hard' areas. There is limited soil along the top edge due to hunching and movement. What you can see is the turf peeling away and lawn weeds
Initial suggestion of removing and 'paving' has been rejected as they want something 'soft'. Personally I also feel there is something of a safety issue here as well
Options - robust, drought tolerant hedging, ground cover....what else could we do ?
Any ideas greatly recieved and will be the subject of a few drinking vouchers in return ;-)
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John on -
A selection of ornamental grasses of different heights ( not pampass grass) swaying in the breeze would be nice.
Add a bit of variation with Verbena bonariensis and fennel and the swirling Guara "Butterflies" all along the top half.
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Permalink Reply by Gareth on -
limited soil and lawn weeds.... sounds like a good base for one of the many wild flower seed mixes available, certainly would be "soft" but might look like a bank covered in weed if it didnt take well! Just a seasonal strim depending on type of seed mix.
Maybe have a word with Nick Mann?
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Kieran Ray on -
I'd personaly remove the grass and plant it up, just depends on budget and how intresting they want it.
Blocks of low growing ground cover, euonymus, hypericum, ceanothus repens, with phormiums to add height and intrest dotted in the middle of each varriety.
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Permalink Reply by Classic Gardens on -
Like Paul said horizontalis maybe broken up with phormions, remove turf, plant, mulch then treat weeds every month with roundup until estabished then prune once evey other month.
Will look fine and reduce your maintenance costs
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Permalink Reply by John on
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The element of movement is way under estimated in planting schemes in commercial properties and in residential gardens.
We are all connected to the vagaries of the weather systems, and should embrace and try to benefit from these changing and uncertain patterns in the passing fronts, over the winter months.
The selection of planting species obviously has to be altered to cope with the climate of each situation.
It is always worth gambling with a percentage of the plants, ( with the agreement of the client), the last two winters have caught many of us out, but over the last ten years, most of us are winners.
John www.acegardenservices.co.uk said:
A selection of ornamental grasses of different heights ( not pampass grass) swaying in the breeze would be nice.
Add a bit of variation with Verbena bonariensis and fennel and the swirling Guara "Butterflies" all along the top half.
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Chris Auld on -
stick a load of bamboo in and let it cover the whole bank= no more weeds.
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Permalink Reply by David-County Grounds Maintenance on -
Looking at the photo there appears to be a further issue of possible subsidence to the tarmac footpath. The scheme does not look all that old and wonder if your client should raise questions with the developer! Perhaps an opportunity to rethink the layout?
or.... a knee rail with gravel board behind, fill between kerb and gravel board with gravel and then re turf whats left as the haunching is out of play. Or........shrubs
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Permalink Reply by David Benson on -
you beat me to it about the subsidence plus if there is a road next to the path that takes HGV,s it all could collapse into the building also a safety issue for pedestrians (slipping off the path in icy conditions disabled etc)
David-County Grounds Maintenance said:Looking at the photo there appears to be a further issue of possible subsidence to the tarmac footpath. The scheme does not look all that old and wonder if your client should raise questions with the developer! Perhaps an opportunity to rethink the layout?
or.... a knee rail with gravel board behind, fill between kerb and gravel board with gravel and then re turf whats left as the haunching is out of play. Or........shrubs
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Steve Sonic Grounds Maintenance on -
Sounds like theres only one option. Planting. Although i think bamboo is a bad idea i think any sort of thick hedge like laurel or Photinia (looks great in spring too) will be best. The only question i can think of is, because its on quite a steep slope, is there a chance any water that lands on the area will run off the slope rather than seap into the roots?
I know the clients dont want paving, but i think that would look best, maybe lots and lots of larger stones set in concrete? Just thinking aloud
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Permalink Reply by Richard Boyd on -
There are species of bamboo that you could use Fargesia murieliae Bimbo AKA Umbrella bamboo would be one. It's hardy, does not mind partial shade, only grows to about 2M max and is very dense once it gets established. It's a nice looking bamboo we use to help bulk out large bamboo plants that have become straggly at the base.
But as David pointed out there are more pressing issues prior to planting.
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Steve Sonic Grounds Maintenance on -
Doesnt bamboo roots spread quite far underground though?
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Permalink Reply by T & S Plants on
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The problem with Fargesia is one of flowering, when they do, they die!
Low growing evergreen Grasses could be a solution. Stipa tenuissima, Carex Evergold, Carex Dark Horse are a few options.
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