Comments on: dilemma: that ugly garden wall

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 04:09:14 +0000

Heck, train a vine on the wall and turn the fireplace into a new water feature. Maybe you could get the water to run down the insides, while the outside is covered in green.

By: lostlandscape

lostlandscape — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 03:44:13 +0000

Janis, great comments. We’re still trying to think of what to do with the wall, and your ideas could help us focus on what the solution needs to accomplish.

By: Janis Hatlestad

Janis Hatlestad — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:37:39 +0000

A bit late to this party, I suppose… John’s post provides some helpful context. Practical side of me believes it is wise to take stock of how your garden functions on the whole for you. What would you like to see it do better? What do you have that you don’t need or cannot use? Then, see how you can repurpose, modify or replace what you have, to meet needs/desires, and to improve aesthetics — views and other sensory experiences. Keep in mind how it fits in the context of your overall garden plan.

By: Leslie

Leslie — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:32:04 +0000

You could transform it into a “green” wall: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CUEqARxXWnk/SFfSs8EGP-I/AAAAAAAAAK8/JR7jh0spybM/s400/green%2Bwall.jpg

By: John

John — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:50:52 +0000

Ok, I’ve never posted here, as I can give Jim my comments directly, but I REALLY like the idea of trellising something on this ugly brick. I’ve advocated that (1) it should be torn down*, or (2) it’s actually ugly enough that maybe we could leave it as is. Painting it blue is not a bad idea either, though I swore I would never paint brick.

*The other side of this wall is a fireplace that we’ve never used, and that a chimney sweep recommended that we never use. If we got rid of it, we could finally see (and hear) the pond from the house.

By: susan morrison (garden-chick)

susan morrison (garden-chick) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:01:00 +0000

I love feature walls and the vignettes you can create with them — there is a reason they are so often featured in gardens photos from shelter magazines. The purple wall that Town Mouse mentioned from my own house is at the end of a 30′ narrow view corridor so it was comfortable choosing such a dramatic color. But one of my designs that was recently installed has a split level, L-shaped divider separating the hot tub from the neighbors on one side and an edible garden on the other. One the hot tub side is juncus and on the edible side an espaliered pear. The wall is painted a soft blue similar to Topher’s wall, so it’s very restful and appropriate to the location. BUT, a soft blue like that doesn’t create as big a contrast impact for the plants as a gold or similar wall color would. As for the natural brick look, when I use brick for a plant backdrop (usually an existing fireplace), it just isn’t as interesting as a solid color wall.

In my opinion, a garden like yours (i.e., one that’s all garden, not lawn and patio) is prettier and more interesting to be in if there are non-plant spaces and accessories to show off the plants. I know it’s a little less natural looking but a garden is about the whole experience, not just about a plant collection.

Plus, a feature wall creates wonderful lighting opportunities.

OK, I’ll shut up now.

By: Country Mouse

Country Mouse — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:33:09 +0000

Having grown up in the UK with bricks, I was baffled when I first came to California to see badly-mortared brick walls in California shown off like a design feature. The fashion seems to have subsided thank goodness. But this is in a whole other category. Pre-existing connotations overwhelm any possible new ones and I would cover or disappear the wall. Would it take a sort of adobe covering, softening and rounding the edges? Just another thought — I like the other suggestions for Japanese style screening.

By: ryan

ryan — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:18:55 +0000

Maybe stucco over it and plant a tree to contrast, say a dark color and a Palo Blanco or lighter color and Dr. Hurd manzanita? Stucco is easy, cheap, and sort of fun. I tend to think in terms of two options, one is do the cheapest and easiest thing that will look alright and the other is to think what would make this look intentional rather than a retrofit. Making it look intentional usually means redesigning and changing other things around it, too, which usually leads to the clients arguing with each other about budget.

By: JCharlier

JCharlier — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:58:30 +0000

Oh, a challenge! I’ll think about this. Projects like these in my own yard are what keep me awake at nights!

By: Barbara E

Barbara E — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 04:08:08 +0000

Well I think I’ll jump in right away. This may be an opportunity, as you are suggesting, James. Before going the more ordinary route, it deserves lots of thought. All that comes to mind for me is that I am “hitting a brick wall.” Forcing myself to think further, what about using it to create a vertical garden (http://www.lowimpactliving.com/blog/2009/06/23/inspiring-vertical-gardens-for-small-spaces/)?

I’ll keep thinking.