I chose to put a holly hedge to cover the width and length of this wall. It has taken 10+ years for these dwarf Burford hollies to reach the top of the wall, which is about 8 ft tall. I am thrilled that my wall of holly is finally starting to look the way I envisioned it when I planted it all those years ago.
Now I just have to figure out how to keep it trimmed without falling off the ladder!
Of course, decking a wall with boughs of holly is not the only option. I decided to go back through my photos to see how many ideas I could find to spruce up a blank wall.
Here is a vine covered trellis on one of my brick walls:
Here's a 'false window', with an ivy frame. You could also do this with a mirror. I've also seen pictures of quirky terra cotta faces hung on a wall and framed in the same way. I bet you could think of lots of different and interesting things to frame with ivy.
It would be very festive, and add just a touch of romance, to use Christmas lighting in a diamond design with ivy growing along it. (I have just the spot to give this a try!)
Of course, you have the choice of an evergreen ivy, or a deciduous ivy that turns a beautiful shade of red in the fall.
Then again, how about some blooming vines instead of ivy? Clematis is popular. A climbing hydrangea would be beautiful if you have the right shade conditions. Moonflowers would be lovely. I love my crossvine, but it needs a lot of room to spread:
Instead of vines, you may wish to have a wall filled with climbing roses.
Or, why not try vertical gardening? You could fill the entire wall, of just hang some small pots:
For another romantic touch, and some soothing background noise, try a wall fountain.
No photo, but I drive by a wall frequently that has a pyracantha espaliered upon it. It is beautiful. I would love to find a spot to do that!
I need another wall!
I completely understand the dilemma. I see so many photos and ideas I would love to try but there isn't enough space or time or funds in the world to have them all. I love those mirrors used on walls. I haven't even got so much as a fence here so it's one of those things i can only envy in another's garden.
ReplyDeleteYou're right - even if we have the space - time, funds, and energy would run short!
DeleteGreat ideas, but as to having another wall, that helps me appreciate what I do much more! After all, I keep getting new walls or other canvases from each client, so I can apply so many great ideas others and I have.
ReplyDeleteI think that's why some become garden landscapers. They want to try out all the ideas in their mind, but they can't do it with just one garden!
DeleteYour hollies are AMAZING! It is a plant that I have always wanted but I don't have a good spot for them due to some of the conditions in my garden. Your inspiration pictures are great too! I have never grown the climbing hydrangea but I think I am going to try to grow it on my shed out back. Now no falling off that ladder!
ReplyDeleteI tried growing a climbing hydrangea once. Unfortunately, a teenager helping me weed, "weeded" it out. (It was very small.) I think they are gorgeous, and I have often thought of trying again.
DeleteWalls are just another space for planting opportunities. And how I agree with your very first sentence!
ReplyDeleteToo many choices - not enough room! :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful examples for wall covering, too many ideas for my place I should need more buildings in my garden (haha). But........I think your slow growing Burford hollies are most beautiful, because it looks most naturel.
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you. I do love the hollies, especially around this time of year when the berries begin to show.
DeleteI love the Hollies and love the open look yours is at too. There are a lot of idea for walls but you made a good choice on yours. I love the espaliered plants also.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Oh, I have always loved the look of espaliered plants. I really should try doing that somewhere.
DeleteVery inspiring photos!
ReplyDeleteI am always getting new ideas when I visit other gardens, too. And that makes me wish for even more walls! ;)
DeleteLovely ideas. I love the use of mirrors in the garden, they are fun and unexpected. Gives you another vision of the garden.
ReplyDeleteYou know, you just gave me an idea! I think I have just thought of a place for mirrors in my garden!
Deletethe wall fountain. We had one once, perhaps we will try it again.
ReplyDeleteMine (the lion pictured) is not working any longer. :( I have drilled holes in the basins and am going to plant plants in it instead.
DeleteNo walls in our garden...
ReplyDeleteI think I like the idea of hedges as living walls best.
But I had a wall, I don't know that I would try to cover it with vines as much as I would probably try to use as a backdrop for a mixed border of bushes, perennials and annuals.
I guess I feel that vines sort of disguise a wall, and the wall should be allowed to stand out proudly on its own.
But I do like the fountain idea. I think fountains in a garden are nearly always a grand idea! The more fountains the merrier :)
I do have some brick walls that I have left blank. You are right - sometimes the brick is beautiful in its own right.
DeleteI love the false window idea, what a great way to give character to an otherwise boring flat space.
ReplyDeleteYes, the one pictured really did add a lot of character to that wall. I can't imagine it now just being blank!
DeleteSince I have covered about all of the lower spots in the garden going vertical seems like the best thing to do to add more to it. Love the posting.
ReplyDeleteI am starting to go vertical, too. It's a new dimension, and I think I'm really going to like it!
DeleteI have a blank garden wall, I've covered it with a climbing rose and trumpet honeysuckle. But I would also like another couple of walls to try out all the other vines I want. Nice hollies!
ReplyDeleteOh, rose and honeysuckle! Just the thought of that perfume is tantalizing!
DeleteGreat blog - your holly trees look great! Hadn't heard of 'Burford Holly' before so had to find out - Ilex cornuta. Apparently the berries are much larger than european natives. My holly hedges are taller than I am but I find it worthwhile paying a local man to come in too trim it once a year.
ReplyDeleteSo many ideas for covering a wall, wish I had as an attractive brick wall like you have :)
I'm currently experimenting espalier with a pyracantha, rambling rose and a camellia on fences - they are in their infancy but I'm enjoying giving it a go.
Last year my grandson came and climbed on the ladder to trim for me. I felt much safer being on the ground supervising! :) Your espaliers sound wonderful! I really need to do something like that somewhere - I just adore the look!
DeleteThat is one beautiful wall...I wish we had walls here, just imagine..
ReplyDeleteI have [it was here when we got here] a climbing Hydrangea that faces south. It gets full sun all day, and it gets hot here. The plant does great, go figure. Thought it might be good for you to know that it does work in sun.
Jen
I'm not sure it would work in full sun here, as our sun is so very harsh in the summer, but it's good to know it may take more sun than I initially thought. In fact, now that I'm thinking about it, I bet I have just the spot for it! Thanks!
DeleteHi There,
ReplyDeleteHow have you been? How was your roses? I have been away from the blogging world due to some reason which can be found in my blog. What lovely ideas to cover the wall...absolutely genius.
Merry Christmas (if you celebrate it),
KL
Merry Christmas, KL, and welcome back to blogging!
DeleteThere was a house near where we used to live that had a stunning wall-trained pyracantha, it always looked amazing, but when it was smothered in bright orange berries it would stop me dead. Love you hollies, they are such great plants.
ReplyDeleteThe wall I pass by with the espaliered pyracantha is just that way - beautiful in summer, but in the winter when it's full of berries, it is drop-dead gorgeous!
DeleteI have a tall trellis that I try to get a climbing rose to grow up...and the other wall I am trying to grow a small native tree with a few smaller trellises but I have vinyl siding so it is not so easy to attach things to the wall so we don't...love these ideas though.
ReplyDeleteI think the hardest part of growing things along a wall is protecting the wall itself. It can be hard to find just the right attachments and supports.
DeleteAll excellent ideas. I love the false window and the Holly growing on the wall in your first picture. Beautiful scenes!
ReplyDeleteMy holly isn't picture perfect yet, but so close I can see it! I've waited years for it to finally reach the top, and am thrilled on one hand, but on the other, I'm a little worried since I'll have to now start trimming it from that dreaded ladder!
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ReplyDeleteAll wonderful ideas. The color of the cross vine flowers looks great with the brick.
ReplyDeleteI just love the crossvine. In the spring when it blooms, it is a magnificent sight.
DeleteHave a wonderful Christmas and New Year Hollygarden.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen, and you, too! :)
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