Breeze Block Walls

[Bigmallly]

I have about 50 foot of ugly wall that needs covering. I really don't want to paint or clad it so was thinking of covering it in Boston Ivy. The problem I have is that the wall does not have any soil borders & was wondering if it can be grown in the long tubs you can buy, or would I be best making a narrow border say out of timber or brick. I say narrow as I have to get the car through a narrow gap so don't have a lot of room to play with. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Jeanied]

Hi Bigmallly (what is it with you and gorillas btw?) - just wondering what aspect your wall has.

[Bigmallly]

Hi Bigmallly (what is it with you and gorillas btw?) - just wondering what aspect your wall has.

Hi Jeanied, I just love them.......My dream is to see them in the wild before I depart this place.(Not the vine).....
Right, back to the wall.....About 20ft west facing........15ft east facing & 15ft north facing. The 15ft walls are at right angles to each other & the 20ft is a stand alone wall about 12 ft from the house so sheltered/shaded.

[Jeanied]

There was a photo in the press of an old silverback killed by a tribe - he is tied onto a pole stretcher and he still has the leaves he was eating in his mouth. That picture upsets me deeply.

Back to walls - the shaded parts - Ivy - boston and decorative leaved would work - planted in a narrow bed constructed at the foot. Or parthenocissus Henryii. For the lighter areas - how about honeysuckle, clematis, or even trachelospermum jasminoides (very trainable) or some of the winter or summer jasmines. I think if you can make the narrow beds as deep as you can you will get away with it. And water.

Off for a think about gorillas.

[Bigmallly]

Thanks for your time Jeanied, much appreciated.

[bobleponge]

BM
Is there no way you could make a tiny hole in whatever is at the base of the wall and drop whatever plants you like into it?
Outside the back of my house there is a concrete path, about 2ft wide that runs the length of the house, but I have bladdy rose bushes (which WILL be coming up) all the way down the house, just dropped down through the concrete.
Will stick a pic of it later should you wish.

[Bigmallly]

I know what you mean Bob. It's all block paved so I was thinking the same & lifting a block every few feet.