Hiding a manhole cover

[IgglePiggle]

Does anyone have any ideas on how to hide a manhole cover? It's in a shady corner with my steps next to it and a small fence the other side. There is enough room to plant a shrub, but I don't have a clue what to plant there I'll try to post a picture later of it, if that would help.

Thanks in advance

[Eco-Chic]

A prostrate cotoneaster can conceal it and can be pushed aside to allow access.

Or large pots of anything you fancy.

[IgglePiggle]

Do cotoneaster do ok in shade? Can't use pots as my garden is on a big hill

[Nicos]

I bought a big barrel tub- wide and low- and planted it up for all year greenery. Mine is in the front garden smack in the middle of the lawn!!!

Can't see the manhole at all if it's wide enough!

[Nicos]

Erm..you must be able to put a pot on it surely- cos the manhole must be level?????

[IgglePiggle]

Here's a picture of it.

There is no way a pot would sit happily on it, unless I secure it with rope

[selfraising]

Hi, I dug down a little around the manhole in my back garden, put old bricks at an angle all the way round as retainers (they also looked quite decorative) and then covered it with 3mm gravel and a large planter filled with herbs. The shingle gave a steady enough surface to sit the plant pot on. I also had a small solar water feature on it at one point.

[shirlthegirl43]

You would need to be careful planting a shrub near it as if the roots go down and damage the drain then you are liable for the cost of repairs.

[IgglePiggle]

You would need to be careful planting a shrub near it as if the roots go down and damage the drain then you are liable for the cost of repairs.

The other side of the fence, next door has planted 2 pear trees

I like the idea of bricking around it abit and fulling with stones, could still get to the cover if needed then.

[tootles]

How about bricks on the low side and a paving slab like the steps on top. A level surface that will look like the step next to it. It can be moved to get to the manhole if needed

[IgglePiggle]

How about bricks on the low side and a paving slab like the steps on top. A level surface that will look like the step next to it. It can be moved to get to the manhole if needed

I like that idea as well

[petal]

A pot with ferns might work. I put gravel on mine then said pot on top.

[lynda66]

stick a man in it, then plant the bush in his head .... i went for the stick a pot on it route. on one and built a patio over the other one (crazy paving filled with soil between) ....... no idea why i got landed with 2 but the one in the back garden is for surface water, and the one in front is a sewer, thought i'd better not cover that one, and feign ignorance if anyone ever needs to get to the one at the back

[Flummery]

A square or rectangular trough (real stone - expensive - or mock - made with compost, newspaper and cement) and planted up with alpines would be just the job. As alpine troughs are low, they aren't too heavy when full, so you could feasibly move it.

[kentvegplot]

If you want to spend money on it, get the cover replaced with a recessed cover (and while that's being done, get it put in level!) you can then fill the recess with some nice stones, perhaps matching your path, then pop the pot on top.