skip to main content

Rocky Mountain Gardening

What to plant against a north-facing garage wall? (pic)

15 years ago

I'd like some ideas about what to plant against this long garage wall. It faces due north, but does get morning sunshine. I'd like some color if possible and something that would partly hide this huge garage, which because of the narrowness of our lot and budget constraints we had to have sticking out as you see it. We're on top of an extremely windy ridge, although the wind comes from the back of the house mainly. The tree that looks close to the garage wall is actually about 8 feet from it. It's an Ohio buckeye.

The pic isn't very good, but we have rock in the very front with lawn behind that and small bushes (Miss Kim lilac sized) in front also. Dark Knight spirea and potentilla groundcover in front of the house. I hope also to plant some bearded iris and peonies somewhere, but I think there's not enough sun for peonies against the garage. If morning sun is enough for peonies though that would be my first choice I think.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

michelle_co
15 years ago
Could a clematis reach up for some sun? Trellised Jackmanii would look fantastic in that spot. My great aunt always grew the most beautiful morning glories vining up her north facing entry way. Those could also go on the trellis to fill it in this year.

Coneflower and columbines are supposed to tolerate some shade if you wanted some lower flowering plants. I am trying those this year in a shady part of our yard.

Pots of violas and pansies would be happy and look good, esp. mixed in with coneflowers and columbines.

Cheers,
Michelle
david52 Zone 6
15 years ago
You can do some cool stuff. Hope you will 'scuse my spelling on plant genre names. Weigelia will do well in that sheltered environment, as do Buddlia. I have a similar situation, but mine is at a bit of a slant, and gets afternoon summer sun. I'm going to plant three jackmanni clematis this fall as well.
Related Discussions
North Facing 6' Strip against house wall
Q
Comments (6)
Taller and narrow shade tolerant plants for such an area might include ferns such as Nephrolepsis cordifolia, Asparagus densiflorus 'Meyers', Cyperus textilis, Aspidistra elatior. Flowering plants for such a location might include Billbergia nutans and Anemone hybrida cultivars. If you don't mind planting a clinging vine against the wall, Ficus repens would also work well. Six inches wide as a planting strip is awfully narrow for most plants, especially if you don't want them growing over the path and blocking access. The plants above lend themselves to staying narrow or with the addition of some stakes and fishing line, can be kept off the path while still looking natural, and all handle full shade well.
...See More
Enclosing Trees against a South facing heated wall any ideas?
Q
Comments (6)
Hi ep, Im in Nassau on the North Shore about 5 mins from the sound. I have 3 Trees, a celeste 10 years old and a green genoa probably at least 10 years old as well. The third tree is a small white fig not sure of the variety about 2 years old. The celeste and genoa were previously potted and this will be their 1st winter in the ground. They were too big and heavy to manage in the pots for me The unknown variety I got as young plant from an Italian genlteman who is the superintendant of a private school in Jamaica Estates. The parent tree is extremely cold hardy I saw it in January a few years back uncovered and in the open. I asked him whe he didnt cover and he told me he hasnt covered it in the 15 years its been there. I went back in spring and was amazed there was no dieback at all. I traded him genoa cuttings and he gave me a young tree he made off the parent tree. I have seen a lot of guys in whitestone and bayside and some here in Nassau making enclosures of plywood on 3 sides and their trees do well so I decided to try it. I feel the tarp enclosure method will be quick and easy to deploy and take down in the spring. The wiltpruf is added insurance as its not terribly expensive to buy. Im curious where on the island are you that you dont need to cover at all? Finally if you or any others are interested I will post pictures of the trees and the progress of the enclosure assembly.
...See More
Suggestion for plant against North wall, West facing
Q
Comments (1)
Full sun? Try any of earthkind/knockout/texas superstar roses. Abelia (except glossy) will do wonders. I have Grandma's yellow roses (soon to be Texas Superstar plant in April) in the bed in the front of my house facing West that i get nothing but sun after noon.
...See More
Need help finding shade loving vines to grow against my garage wall.
Q
Comments (3)
Need to know exactly where in the world you are located to make any meaningful suggestions - what works in Seattle will probably not work in Chicago or Miami :-))
...See More
michelle_co
15 years ago
Jinx, buy me a coke. You said Jackmanii, too!

:-) Michelle
digit
15 years ago
Hi Susanka,

I'm not sure if I am quite able to orient myself. It would help to know what time of day the photograph was taken. Is it late afternoon??

My clematis vines do fine with only a Northern Exposure.

digitS'
200+ miles northeast of Roslyn ~ Northern Exposure
david52 Zone 6
15 years ago
Cross posting here :-)

We've got a red flag for fire, a flood advisory for the Dolores, and I was just talking to a serious, serious river rat / tiller-borrower who was gonna till tonight under the lights, drop that and a daughter off tomorrow at 7 for a 'play day' and hit the stretch between Dove Creek and Slick Rock, 'cause with 2000+ fps, its class 4-5.

Winter Storm Warning out in Utah.

I'm waiting a bit to plant out the tomatoes.
digit
15 years ago
Gosh, I'm late to the party!
david52 Zone 6
15 years ago
Cross posting all over the place here. I'm busy putting together the first almond / basil / cheddar pesto of the year, so thats my excuse.

I thought I'd scored on the Wayside Garden clematis extravaganza, 'cept I forgot to put in the key word at the checkout, so whiffed on the freebee niobi. Oh well.
I still got 3 small jackmanni, and I'll grow them in pots for the summer, and plant them out this fall.
michelle_co
15 years ago
Mmmm on the pesto!! All I could scrounge up was yogurt.

Koi Gardens had a heckofa clematis sale - I planted 14 new varieties! And two more bigbox bareroots. And there are four more in the coldframe. Just a touch of the OCD, here. :-)

OP and anyone else who wants to die of Gorgeous House Envy, here is an inspiration website to look over. There are some fabulous clematis!

Clematis I Covet

Cheers,
Michelle
susanka
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks, everyone. Looks like clematis is the winner, although I like the columbine and coneflower idea as well with a few pots intermixed. Also morning glories are one of my favorite flowers. I didn't realize butterfly bush would grow there, but thanks for that idea, david52; that would eliminate the need for trellises.

digit, it is late afternoon in this photo; usual sun there is morning; I didn't even realize it gets a little afternoon sun.

Does anyone have an idea for evergreens that could be interplanted near this north wall for some winter interest?

I'll post some pix when we get it all done. Thanks again, everybody.

Related Stories

VACATION HOMES Houzz Tour: A Mountain Retreat Goes Against the Grain

By Bryan Anthony

A woodsy ski lodge near Park City, Utah, lightens up its mood and color palette

INDUSTRIAL STYLE Houzz Tour: Going Against the Grain in a Missouri Silo

By Mary Jo Bowling

See how a creative couple turned a metal grain bin into a most unusual container for living

KIDS’ SPACES 5 Teen and Tween Girls' Rooms With Fresh-Faced Style

Youthful and light, these girls' bedrooms show an age-appropriate mix of playful spirit and design-savvy sophistication

GARDENING GUIDES Grow Your Own Privacy: How to Screen With Plants and Trees

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Use living walls to lower your home and garden's exposure while boosting natural beauty in your landscape

HOUSEPLANTS 10 Top Plants to Grow Indoors

Brighten a room and clean the air with a houseplant that cascades artfully, stretches toward the ceiling or looks great on a wall

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Western Sword Fern Adds Prehistoric Drama

For distinctive looks and easy care in a shade garden, go for North American native Polystichum munitum

TRAVEL BY DESIGN 10 North American Homes That Are Fabulously on the Water

By Becky Harris

Float homes, houseboats and boats serve these view-loving homeowners well

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Colors and Patterns Energize a 1950s Ranch

By Angela Flournoy

Bright fabrics and artwork against white walls create a cheerful vibe in an airy Texas rambler

SAVING WATER Houzz Call: Are You Letting Go of Your Lawn?

By Annie Thornton

Many facing a drought are swapping turf for less thirsty plantings. If you’re one of them, we’d like to hear about it

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES 3 Ways Native Plants Make Gardening So Much Better

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

You probably know about the lower maintenance. But native plants' other benefits go far beyond a little less watering and weeding

Sponsored

MCR ROMERO WORK LLC

Innovative & Creative General Contractors Servicing Franklin County

More Discussions

Hi everyone! Has anyone grown honeyberries (Haskap) at 8600’?

3

Ready for Spring?

19

Spring 2024 Plant Swap - May 11 - Who Can Come?

52

Temp outdoor greenhouse in CO zone 6- are Dahlias safe in there now?

5

Colorado '23-'24 Rose survival report

20