Simple ways to utilise empty (garden) wall space (2)

An empty garden wall is an area that normally stumps most people - a wonderful expanse of wall space, BUT what to do with it? As our living spaces are becoming smaller, the trend is to garden vertically i.e. to use whatever walls you have to visually extend your garden. So here are a few simple but effective examples to inspire you...

First rule of thumb, keep things simple and keep a uniform look!

Paint the wall in question a bright colour (obviously it must blend or contrast with other walls and your house colour, details, textures etc.) Let a brightly coloured climber, such as this pink bougainvillea climb over it ....

Enhance wall space by installing uniform, good quality (treated) trellising along the wall, and plant a reliable climber such as Star Jasmine (as seen here). It's evergreen, flowers profusely, smells beautiful, is low maintenance - all plus points ....

Install trellising or thin wire along the frame of a garage gate, plant Star Jasmine, and voila, a beautiful entrance. You can also add a row of terracotta pots along the adjacent wall to create further interest.

Create a pattern with appropriate wire and nails on a wall. Plant a non invasive creeper, such as mini ivy. I would plant multiple plants, feed and water VERY well. This option will require a bit of patience and training though i.e. to keep placing the loose growth back in line, so to speak. It is worth the effort and the time, as you can see!

Allow a green creeper to cover the wall space. You can use the small leaf ivy, the ficus creeper, virginia creeper, boston ivy ...... anything that is low maintenance and hardy, but not aggressive and invasive, so check with your nursery.

So I hope these examples have given you some inspiration on what to do with that glaring wall space ..... Have fun and a great weekend!

To link to the previous post and pictures on utilising empty wall space - click here

Picture Credits: GenaD Photography

What number are you? First Impressions 3.

I covered "first impressions" in two previous posts i.e. the impact of the entrance to your property, which really is the first thing people see about you as a person and of your home.

In recent months, whilst out and about taking pictures I have found a number of interesting examples of what people have used to indicate the number of their house, and am posting a few here .... there really is no end to the options available and the level of creativity ..... from mosaics, above, to...

from a converted water fountain ....

to a customised tile .....


to decorative, cut out, rusted, metal work ....


to aluminium laser cut letters .....

Look around when you are next out and about, and take note of the abundance of creativity!

Picture credits: (All) Gena D Photography

Wondering what to do with a wall space that's begging for attention? (1)

We all have them. Those spaces... an entrance area, a courtyard, an empty wall, where we either don't know what to do, or no matter what we do or try, nothing seems to look or feel right. Inevitably we simply give up.

More often than not, the secret is to get the scale and proportion of the area in question, and the items selected, in balance, and whatever you do, keep it simple.

Here's some inspiration! Three examples of how easily you can transform a small wall space, courtyard or entrance, into an appealing garden area.

Until next time. have fun.

Gena

PS. Before you go buying new items, first look around your garden for what can be re-used or used differently, even if it needs a coat of paint to make them more interesting.

Pictures: Gena D Photography - various sites around Johannesburg, South Africa