Nooks and crannies: for walls, cracks and crevices

Planting and maintenance:

Plants in this collection should not require a great deal of care, and once they are established they should look after themselves. However, just because they like to grow in cracks, crevices and very well-drained places does not mean that they don't require water after they have been planted - so great care should be taken to keep them well watered while they establish and put down roots. Some of the plants, such as Alchemilla mollis, will self-sow and start to migrate around the garden. These can either be weeded out or encouraged, depending on what you want. Learn to identify the seedlings, as these can be potted up and given to friends, or left to form little colonies in the garden. Some of the wall-growing plants, such as Aubretia, Sedum and Campanula can be cut back if required. The Sedum grows well from cuttings, so once it is established, snap off a piece and push it into some soil or grit for a new plant!

In terms of planting, all of these plants can be used either in cracks in paving, directly into loose gravel or into small pockets on top of walls. However, the Alchemilla mollis, Felicia amelloides, Thymus serpyllum 'Coccineus'  (Creeping thyme) and Euphorbia myrsinites are most suitable as plants on the ground. The Thymus is pleasantly scented and could be planted in a place where it gets occasionally trodden on. Most importantly, ensure that the ground is well-drained and not waterlogged. Although these plants can be periodically soaked, they should never remain long in standing water or waterlogged soil. The remaining plants are suitable for spilling out the side of raised beds or large containers, or for planting into small pockets of soil on top of walls. Again, ensure that the soil is free draining. The addition of gravel or grit can help with this.

Plants in this scheme:

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