THE IMPOSSIBLE SPOTS
If it’s all too hard? Cheat. A trellis or
screen with or without climbers can
cover a multitude of sins, while
benches or gabions can transform
failed lawn into a retreat zone. Pots
can be rotated in and out of your
problem zones to introduce some
colour before they are moved back
to a position better for growth. ❖THE DAMP CORNER
Many gardens have a sogg y corner.
You can ight it with drainage and
groundworks, or accept it and build a
woodland grove or wetland, depending
on the severity of the damp. Forest
understorey plants are made for this
corner, and you may even be able to
create a bog garden and attract frogs.What to plant
Talk to your council about native
wetland plants to construct a habitat.
Damp and shady spots are perennial
heaven for the English garden lover.
Astilbe, hosta, meadowsweet, pratia,
primula, viola and lungwort all deliver
attractive leaf shapes and long-lasting
lowers. NZ lax and tree ferns add
height and a touch of the secret garden
to the corner. Iris thrives in bogg y
areas, with architectural foliage and
the bonus of delicate lowers.THE SLOPING SITE
While commonplace in many
Australian cities, sloping sites can be
hard work. Worse, when it rains, water
can sheet across an uninterrupted
slope, eroding soil and causing looding.
For signiicant slopes, invest in a
design from a qualiied landscaper.
hese can make a site more accessible
with steps or paths, or break up a slope
into useful terraces and drain water
away safely.
Much of this work can be DIYed,
but don’t skimp on drainage and
permeable surfaces to stop water
sheeting or building up behind
retaining walls. You can take advantage
of natural water courses to create an
irregular ‘creek’ running down the
slope that leads to tank storage.
For already eroded soils, look for
plants that naturally occur on rough
hillsides, especially natives or exotics
from the Mediterranean or South Africa.What to plant
Trees are perfect, but obviously take
time to grow. Fast-growing natives
such as callistemon, leptospermum
and melaleuca provide structure and
stability while slower-growing trees
establish themselves.
Grasses and grass-like plants
including poa, carex, festuca and
agapanthus spread quickly, as do
classic ground covers including
prostate grevillea and star jasmine.
Use tube stock for economical
mass planting.Terraces and trees stabilise a steep
slope. Just add ground cover.A boggy area reimagined.
ABOVE Primula. TOP Tree fern.Tuscan Path Galaxy Quartz Pot,
19 x 17cm, $15. tuscanpath.com.au132 JULY 2018 Australian Handyman
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