Planting trees shrubs in confined spaces with small amount of soil

[Steve Bullman]

Need some advice on what to plant. We are having our block paved driveway widened. I was going to leave a 30cm border between our drive and the neighbours to plant something. I had in mind Rose standards or something similar. Don't need a screen as such, but would like some sort of greenery, and something that doesn't interfere with us opening car doors.

 

Now due to the amount of concrete sloping down from the neighbours side, its making it more difficult to plant something that will actually thrive. Landscaper suggested making the border wider, but that will leave the parking area a little tighter and negate the whole point of doing the job in the first place. Any suggestions what might work here please?

 

 

[nepia]

Do you insist on all year round foliage?  It's not a good situation for plants but Geraniums would probably manage.  Proper Geraniums, not those bawdy Pelargoniums for hanging baskets.

[JonnyRFT]

What about some Bay or Dogwood?

[Steve Bullman]

I did think about Bay standards, landscaper seems to think they won't thrive though.

 

Anyone know much about Bougainvillea?

[Steve Bullman]

8 minutes ago, nepia said:

Do you insist on all year round foliage?  It's not a good situation for plants but Geraniums would probably manage.  Proper Geraniums, not those bawdy Pelargoniums for hanging baskets.

Not necessarily. Some color different times of year would be nice, and a bit of height.

[Dawsons Groundcare]

How about euonymus fortunei then space a few pots out on a slab for some height and colour

[Steve Bullman]

4 hours ago, Dawsons Groundcare said:

How about euonymus fortunei then space a few pots out on a slab for some height and colour

Looks quite nice.

 

Been looking at Ilex crenata also, with a view of training it Niwaki style

 

[JSN]

Could you use timber to turn it into a raised bed, increasing soil volume. Mebs plant with ornamental veg - possibly sweet peas growing up the fence. 

[Steve Bullman]

Just now, JSN said:

Could you use timber to turn it into a raised bed, increasing soil volume. Mebs plant with ornamental veg - possibly sweet peas growing up the fence. 

Would have to do something about the metal fence if I went that route.

[kernowstu]

8 hours ago, JonnyRFT said:

What about some Bay or Dogwood?

Dogwood for me red and gold mix,nice winter colour