Tree Stump Interest +

I previously asked for some ideas to add height and interest to a neat little semi-circle of primroses and pansies. Now I include photo

Click image to enlarge

Stump Solutions.

Reply from Matt Nichol

Hi Val,

This is a curious request since most tree stumps we come across people actually want to hide or remove from sight. We would normally advise having the stump ground out and a new plant/ feature put in it's place or planting around the stump with larger plants to hide the stump away. If you wanted to do this a clump of three evergreens around the stump would be ideal and would still allow for the under planting you already have. Azalea 'Geisha Purple' would be colourful and not too tall. Skimmia 'Rubella' would be larger for winter interest. Some Camellias would give a huge impact in a few years time!

If you wish to have the stump as a feature, I suggest that you could place a bird bath on the stump to great effect. You could put some hazel/ bamboo canes over the stump and grow sweet peas or a more permanent climber like Clematis viticella up them. You could even place a small sculpture/ statue on the stump as a feature (something cheeky perhaps, elf or something sitting on the edge) not too valuable if in the front garden!

Happy gardening!

Matt Nichol MSGD
http://www.broadviewgardendesign.co.uk
http://www.sgd.org.uk
twitter:@bvgardendesign