Wall growing Ivy cloud trees with shrouded edge

[Steve Bullman]

Wasn't quite sure how to title this!

 

I have an ugly wall that I would like to do something with. Always liked cloud trees which seem to be done quite often with Pyrancantha. Be quite happy if I never have to deal with another spikey plant again though, particularly something as vicious as Pryacantha. Also I have quite a small area to work with. That very narrow border as seen in the pic is basically it. Beside that is a guest parking space, so anything against the wall needs to be very compact and not interfering with the space.

 

I got to thinking how about planting ivy against the wall and shaping it into a treescape. First obvious thing is the amount of work entailed. Facing it up would be a doddle, but the thought of going round the edges constantly to maintain the shape would be quite a faff. Then I got to thinking about putting some sort of shroud around the edge to mark the outline, meaning the Ivy would be free to grow at will, with the only maintenance being facing it up and running some snips around the outline of the shroud once a year.

 

Question is how to make the shroud, and if it would even work. I was originally thinking something along the lines of that green lawn edging you can get, although im not sure of the longevity of that, so perhaps very thin strips of steel would be a better option...the shroud would probably need to be 2 inches wide. Then consideration needs to be paid to the Ivy growing underneath the shroud so this would need to be sealed, but would an outdoor silicone sealant work, or would the Ivy manage to find its way through that eventually?

 

Thinking out loud here, but interested if anyone has any opinions or suggestions on any of the above, thanks

 

[Mick Dempsey]

Climbing Hydrangea. 

[Stubby]

How about a row of preached fruit trees ?

[Steve Bullman]

22 minutes ago, Stubby said:

How about a row of preached fruit trees ?

Not enough soil in there to sustain trees

[Paul in the woods]

26 minutes ago, Stubby said:

How about a row of preached fruit trees ?

They'll make too much noise every Sunday morning.

[Stubby]

12 minutes ago, Paul in the woods said:

They'll make too much noise every Sunday morning.

'Kin auto correct ! PLEACHED ! 

[nepia]

2 hours ago, Mick Dempsey said:

Climbing Hydrangea. 

👍...in a raised planting area

[daveatdave]

don't think the ivy idea will work very well it will eventually get under the shroud and need cutting at least twice in a year 

i was thinking winter Jasmin but it might get too bushy  

[sime42]

I'd consider a Euronymous, 'Silver Queen" for example. I'd class it as a well behaved climber as it were. Not too vigorous, not spiky at all. Compared to something like a clematis or wisteria; they grow like stink so would be a nightmare to maintain in a very controlled manner as you desire. Ivy would also get out of hand pretty quickly, I reckon you'd regret it after a year or two. Bloody stuff!

 

Not sure about the shroud idea. It's good but not quite sure how you'd implement it in practice. I don't think you'd ever be able to seal it against the wall for long. Might just have to accept that you'll need to spend an hour or so every quarter snipping off emergents.