ᐅ Garden Photos Chat Corner

Steffi33 schrieb:

Did I understand correctly that you want to paint the edging stones to make them look like the paving? That won’t work well. Leave them as they are. It looks fine that way.

To me, you have a dream house, dream atmosphere, and dream garden. Still, I might not follow your suggestion and will at least try painting the edging stones sandstone-colored. But I will decide that only once the front garden area with the house entrance, path, etc. is finished. I just don’t want to see any gray in my garden. Also, the gray edging stones might simply get overgrown anyway. Especially with ivy, which also grows as ground cover. On the other hand, maybe with yellow-flowering sedum, I’m not sure yet. Then painting would be unnecessary.

Steffi33 schrieb:

A question… do such rounded edging stones really exist? It looks very neat!

Yes, they can be bought; my husband didn’t cast them himself. However, I invested hundreds of hours in research, and even the professionals at garden centers and building suppliers weren’t aware of these for private use. I had to specify which company and where. We couldn’t get them everywhere either, but somehow it worked out. By the way, I wanted them in sandstone color as well, but at some point even I gave up on these things. ;-) I’m quite disappointed in the concrete industry. Everywhere you read and hear about how versatile concrete supposedly is, with all kinds of colors and shapes — yet when you look for something specific, it just doesn’t exist. However, my search was limited to Germany, and maybe private customers only have limited options. Also, we want to design our outdoor area in a traditional style, contrary to the current gray trend.

Steffi33 schrieb:

I’m afraid the thin trellis arches won’t hold the ivy in the long run.

I’m afraid so too, but it doesn’t have to be permanent; once it’s grown tall and dense enough, everything that can be trimmed will be cut back. I’m very optimistic that I can keep it under control.

motorradsilke schrieb:

Forget the idea. Ivy clings tightly to whatever it climbs on; you’ll never be able to remove it undamaged.

Allegedly, the adhesive roots of this ivy cannot cling to metal; whether that’s true, I will find out and can report back. I tied it up with hollow twine and will continue to prevent it from choosing its own paths, guiding or cutting the shoots myself. Once it’s a bit denser and reaches the final height I set, snip snip… that’s the plan. ;-)

motorradsilke schrieb:

I also fear that the thin trellises will eventually collapse under the ivy’s weight.

Please see my response to Steffi33.

What’s really interesting to me for now is whether it will even develop. In the pictures, you can see that edging stones have been set on both sides, which my husband had to embed in concrete. So the ivy, as a deep-rooted plant, “actually” doesn’t have much space. Whether it will break through the concrete, I don’t know.

Steffi33 schrieb:

I’m afraid the thin trellis arches won’t be able to support the ivy in the long run.

I’m worried about that too. I also think they are too nice to just let them get overgrown. Maybe you can save the trellises by installing an inexpensive wire mesh fence there. Sooner or later, the ivy will grow so dense that it blocks the view.

Pinkiponk schrieb:

Ivy "Goldchild" is a bright, shining golden plant that also grows slowly.

But you want it to grow fast, so why choose a slow-growing one?!

Pinkiponk schrieb:

to watch and prune regularly.

You know that pruning encourages a plant to branch out.

Pinkiponk schrieb:

My wish was for taller trellises at the boundary, but the neighbor didn’t allow it.

Oh dear!

Pinkiponk schrieb:

However, we didn’t want to argue on that level.

I would have installed a trellis or fence at the same level,
… not argued about it! Because fences aren’t set too low or high without reason.

Pinkiponk schrieb:

I just don’t want to see any gray at my place.

That will naturally get covered over with ground cover plants. Tip: variegated Euonymus. Plant it now, and by autumn you won’t see any edges.

Pinkiponk schrieb:

For me, you have a dream house, dream atmosphere, and dream garden. Still, I might not follow your recommendation and will at least try painting the edging stones in sandstone color. But I will only decide that once the front area of the garden, including the entrance and path, is designed. I just don’t want to see any gray around my place. Also, the gray edging stones might simply get overgrown anyway. Especially by the ivy, which also grows as ground cover. On the other hand, maybe by yellow-flowering sedum—I’m not sure yet. Then painting wouldn’t even be necessary.

Yes, they are available for purchase; my husband did not cast them himself. However, I invested hundreds of hours in research, and not even the pros at hardware stores and building suppliers knew about them for private use. I had to specify exactly which company and location. We couldn’t get them everywhere, but somehow it finally worked out. By the way, I also wanted them in sandstone color, but at some point, even I give up on such things. ;-) I am very disappointed with the concrete industry. Everywhere you hear and read about how versatile concrete supposedly is, with a wide variety of colors and shapes, yet when you are actually looking for something specific, it’s not available. However, my search was limited to Germany, and maybe the selection is restricted for private customers. On top of that, we want to design our outdoor area in a traditional way—contrary to the gray trend.

I worry about that too, but it doesn’t have to be permanent; once it’s tall and dense enough, everything that needs trimming will be cut back. I am quite confident I can control it.

Apparently, the clinging roots of this ivy cannot attach to metal; whether that’s true, I will find out and then report back. I tied it with twine and will continue to control its growth by training or cutting the shoots instead of letting it grow freely. Once it’s a bit denser and reaches the final height I have set, snip snip … that’s the plan. ;-)

Please see my reply to Steffi33.

What interests me first is whether it will develop at all. As you can see in the pictures, edging stones are installed on both sides, which my husband had to set in concrete. So, as a deep-rooter, the ivy “actually” doesn’t have that much space. Whether it will break through the concrete, I don’t know.

Even if you keep trimming it, the main shoots will become as thick as a thumb.
The roots won’t grow that large.
At least that’s my experience with regular ivy. I’m curious how yours will turn out. Please report back in 2 to 3 years.

ypg schrieb:

I’m afraid so, too. I also think they’re too nice to just let be overgrown. Maybe you could save the trellises and put up an inexpensive wire mesh fence there. Sooner or later, the ivy will grow dense enough to block the view.

First, I bought a wire mesh fence, which is now in the garage. I couldn’t stand looking at it very well. ;-) I’m hoping to find a way to guide the ivy so that some of the trellis remains visible.

ypg schrieb:

You want it fast, so why slow-growing?!

I wanted this variety specifically for its attractive leaves and had to compromise on growth speed. I don’t like the other types of ivy with their dark leaves or white-variegated leaves so much... not even "Goldheart".

ypg schrieb:

But you do know: pruning encourages a plant to branch out.

I didn’t know that until now, thanks for the tip.

ypg schrieb:

I would have trellised or fenced at the same height,
… not argued! Because fences aren’t put in black, only too high.

I was naive and explicitly asked them because I wanted to be polite. Based on their own violations of rules, I didn’t expect them to say “no.” My husband thinks I ask too many questions often.

motorradsilke schrieb:

Even if you keep cutting it back, the main shoots will get as thick as your thumb.

If that bothers me, I just scrape a bit all around with an asparagus peeler. 🙂

motorradsilke schrieb:

That’s been my experience with common ivy at least. I’m curious how yours will turn out. Report back in 2 to 3 years.

I’ll be happy to do that—at the latest in 2 to 3 years. You’re also welcome to ask anytime in between.

Pinkiponk schrieb:

I hope to find a way to train the ivy so that some of the trellis remains visible.

But you want a quiet corner, don’t you? In the end, you are doing everything so that everything stays visible after all.

Pinkiponk schrieb:

My husband thinks I ask too many questions.

He’s probably right. He knows you.
However, you don’t have to follow everything the people you ask suggest. With that in mind, I wouldn’t care about what the neighbor lady wants. And I probably wouldn’t want to see that ugly thing (meaning the boundary design) every day. I’m not concerned about the unauthorized structure itself.
So my advice: take the trellises, use them for their intended purpose, and install the fence. There’s still time!
It’s quite unobtrusive and hopefully will grow over faster. Because if the ivy breaks the trellis later, you won’t enjoy the hanging ivy. Then it just becomes a thicket.