[andyf75]

Hi
Just had an extension built and we are left with a 15cm gap between our imprinted concrete driveway and the brick wall.
The wall faces south west so I'm thinking it could be a good place for a grape vine which I have elsewhere but isn't getting enough sun. Is that enough space for it? obviously would need to dig down through the builders rubble and put some nice soil in there.

Thanks!

[mumofstig]

It should be fine as they put their roots down deeply but you may have to do some watering, as the rain won't get through the concrete drive.

[andyf75]

Thanks,
yep will give it a top up

[Goosegirl]

Rain will probably run off the drive and onto the soil.

[mumofstig]

I assumed the drive would slope away from the house 

[fatcat1955]

You should plant further than that from a wall as the footings of the wall will be at least 50mm if not more outside the wall's footprint.

[andyf75]

You should plant further than that from a wall as the footings of the wall will be at least 50mm if not more outside the wall's footprint.

but surely the roots can just grow away from the wall? plenty of big plants seem to grow fine against walls.

[andyf75]

when would be the best time to move a small grapevine? can I do it now or should I wait til its properly dormant in say Jan?

[Goosegirl]

As it is still small and the soil is still warm, it should take ok now.

[andyf75]

Great. I will move it this weekend

Thanks

[andyf75]

Hi all,

OK, I didn't put the grapevine here in the end as I dug down and the roots would be quite constrained by the footings of the wall and various pipes etc.

Can anyone suggest a climber which would be suitable for this space. Something that tolerates poor soil and that doesn't put down deep roots. From searching some people suggest passion flowers thrive in poor conditions, or maybe a clematis or jasmine of some sort?

Many thanks, there must be something I can grow here!

[fatcat1955]

If there are pipe's there the last thing you want is to plant anything. Root's cause more damage to u/ground pipes than anything else.

[andyf75]

fair point I obviously don't want anything with big roots and I can position it away from the pipes, but surely something like a clematis isn't going to produce roots that break through pipes?

[Agatha]

Everlasting sweet peas?  They grow anywhere...says the person who has spent a lot of time this morning trying to pull ones up that have seeded in pavement cracks, in the middle of other plants, in the driveway... 

[andyf75]

great idea, thanks. Presumably they would need a trellis to support them?