I really dislike using membranes generally to surpress weeds but I need to plant some hydrangea's on a slope which continually attracts weeds but the area is very difficult to access to maintain yet provides a main view from a main window .
The area was previously planted with mature box which succumbed to box caterpillar and then became infested with bracken ,bramble ,ivy but I have cleared it to a blank canvas .
Hydrangeas are the shrubs of choice , perfect shade and moist area and I can terrace the slope sufficiently to retain a good depth of bark mulch initially but realistically it will get disturbed and disappear then need topping up before the weeds start to reappear .
Membrane seems like an obvious solution although meant to be porous I suspect the rain will run off denying the Hydrangeas water .
Any suggestions welcome such as a non invasive ground cover planting or proven porous membrane .
Many Thanks
Views: 358
Replies
Hi John maybe use the type of membrane which is more like cloth material than the woven plastic sort, the issue with hydrangeas needing lots of water would be the same without membrane, ie. the plants at the top of the slope would do less well than those at the bottom, maybe you could incorporate some watering pipes underneath the sheeting at the top and plug a hose in during dry conditions especially when they are flowering, without having to directly access the area, depending on location relative to water supplies obviously
I've used koa matting with ivy planting on banks peg down with plastic pegs, in the distance past. I believe it rots.
Like you dislike membrane and bark I detest .
Looks great freshly laid but when dry it blows, the birds throw it about and in heavy rain it washes into drifts particularly on a slope think you will be making a rod for your own back as it will need constant attention and laid on membrane it will slide about very easily.
We planted an extremely steep bank which was a huge area - 3000 plants with Geranium Macrorhizum ( spelling)? and Vinca variegata major this was planted in alternate blocks of each type of plant .
In the first 12 months yes there was some hoeing needed but once established both plants formed a dense carpet with very little maintenance and this was on an area that was infested with perennial and annual weed seeds
Hope that helps?
Don't put bark over membrane on a slope, it will slide off. Ground cover planting, if not invasive, wont cover. I would suggest either bark with the expectation of topping up in year 2.
I have the same problem. My area isn't vast 400m x 2m . No matter what I do it eventually slips to the bottom . But it's whst the client wants
Sorry I'm not much help
These clients think they know best. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing! They are too concerned with aesthetics rather than practicalities, it is very annoying and just wastes our time.
Pachysandra
Yes good choice we considered for job in previous post but could not get the price or quantity we needed.
Plenty online click plants have 150
Thanks Sam, the job was 3years ago though! We would have needed 1500 in 2lt at a max price of £1 ex vat delivered which is what we bought the Vinca and Geranium at
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next