Gravel / stone garden possible here? Pics

[lexloofah]

I would like to plant something to soften the harsh grey stones that go right up the the front of the house and along the path.

I have had a little dig down and as suspected it is stones of varying sizes, a bit of sand and rubble, no sign of soil.

Rather than dig it out or build up around it I wondered if I could turn it into a sort of gravel garden.

It is south facing so gets blasted by the sun and there is no shade.

I am worried that even if I sink some pots with soil it will eventually get washed away

It is on a bit of a slant so don't want to plonk containers on it as think it would look all wonky

Possible? Any tips? Thnx

Yes definitely! I'd try lavendula to edge the path - it will smell gorgeous as you brush past and in my experience you'll find it self seeds all over your gravel garden. I wouldn't even bother sinking pots for it, my lavender has always enjoyed being baked in the poorest, driest soil you can imagine - full sun ideal. I wouldn't bother sinking pots for lavender, just let it push its roots deep into that dry ground and it will be okay.

Have a long walk round your neighbourhood and see what things are growing well (you can take photos and use a free trial on a plant identification app to find out what they are).

Little viola plants have self seeded in my gravel and look really pretty. Erigeron daisies also love gravel, so I’ve bought a plant to encourage seedings.
A couple of self seeding plants in the gravel should do the trick.

That sounds promising thank you.

I was thinking California poppies, there is a house that I drive past with a scrubby, stony bit by the front wall that has clouds of orange for months on end which is what originally made me wonder if I could do it

Daisies would be good too, was also wondering about love in a mist, worth trying a packet of seeds maybe

I looked at the alpine/rockery section at the garden centre, might take a punt on potentilla too

I love lavender by a path, didn't know it would seed, have some cuttings coming on so could stick those in when they are ready

Any other suggestions gratefully received

I would try a few sedums, sedum spectabile or matrona would give you some useful late summer/autumn colour.

My south facing gravel garden has, roughly from Jan to Dec, Cyclamen coum, early crocus, Dryas oxypetala, sweet alyssum, thyme, musk mallow, the little yellow and blue Sysyrinchiums, small pinks, love-in-a-mist, welsh poppy, winter savory, sedum - the cobweb cactus/house leek type, Cyclamen hederifolium. It's a first-rate seed bed.

You could build on some raised beds, if there is space, using sleepers or decking boards.

Gaura might do alright there?
As well as lavender, Viola, Mexican fleabane

If you live near Essex check out Beth Chatto dry garden. It is for exactly that kind of soil and sunny conditions. There is also a Beth Chatto book called gravel garden which would be really helpful.

Thanks all, there is a plant sale at a local nursery this week so will be going armed with a list from these suggestions

Not near a Enough to visit The Beth Chatto garden but have looked online for ideas, as always will vision in my head match reality? Fun to try anyway

Sempervivuma groq pretty much anywhere. I find themquite addictive.