Planting around decking involves choosing suitable plants based on deck height and desired effect, creating garden beds or using containers, and considering practical aspects like drainage and maintenance.
Integrating plants around your decking can soften the transition between the built structure and the natural landscape, adding beauty, privacy, and visual interest.
Choosing the Right Plants for Decking Areas
Selecting the appropriate plants is key to a successful planting scheme around your deck. Consider the height of your deck, the amount of sunlight the area receives, and the overall aesthetic you want to achieve.
According to the provided reference, you should start by picking out the larger plants you want to include. Shrubs or even small trees can suit if the deck is raised so there's plenty growing at eye level from the deck. Ornamental grasses are also ideal alongside a raised deck. If you want a great show of blooms, pick some perennials to go in next to the deck.
Here's a breakdown of plant types commonly used:
- Shrubs and Small Trees: Suitable for providing structure, screening, or a backdrop, especially effective around raised decks where their height can be appreciated at eye level. Choose varieties that don't have overly aggressive root systems that could potentially damage the deck structure over time.
- Ornamental Grasses: Ideal alongside a raised deck for their texture, movement, and often year-round interest. They can create a soft, flowing edge and come in various sizes and colors.
- Perennials: Excellent for adding seasonal color and attracting pollinators. If you want a great show of blooms, select perennials with staggered bloom times for continuous interest throughout the warmer months.
- Annuals: Perfect for temporary bursts of vibrant color in beds or containers.
- Ground Cover: Low-growing plants can help soften the edges of the deck and suppress weeds in adjacent beds.
- Climbers: If you have a trellis or structure near the deck, climbing plants can add vertical greenery and privacy.
Planning and Preparation
Before planting, planning is crucial.
- Assess the Site: Determine sunlight exposure, soil type (if planting directly in the ground), and drainage.
- Design the Layout: Sketch out where you want garden beds or containers. Consider sightlines from the deck and how plants will look throughout the year.
- Prepare the Planting Area:
- For Beds: Clear the area of weeds, rocks, and debris. Improve soil quality by incorporating compost or other organic matter. Ensure good drainage.
- For Containers: Choose appropriate container sizes for your plants and ensure they have drainage holes. Use good quality potting mix.
Planting Around Decking: Methods
You can plant directly into the ground surrounding the deck or use containers on or near the deck.
- In-Ground Planting:
- Dig planting holes twice as wide as the plant's root ball and just as deep.
- Gently loosen the roots.
- Place the plant in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil.
- Backfill with amended soil and water thoroughly.
- Apply mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Container Planting:
- Place a layer of drainage material (like gravel) at the bottom of the container (optional, but can help).
- Fill the container with potting mix.
- Plant your chosen plants, arranging them for visual appeal (e.g., 'thriller, filler, spiller' method).
- Water well after planting.
- Consider the weight of containers, especially on the deck surface.
Maintenance
Ongoing care is necessary to keep your plants healthy and looking good.
- Watering: Provide consistent watering, especially for new plants and those in containers, which dry out faster.
- Feeding: Fertilize plants as needed, following product instructions.
- Pruning/Trimming: Keep plants tidy and control their size. This is particularly important for plants close to the deck to prevent overgrowth onto the structure.
- Weeding: Regularly remove weeds from garden beds.
By selecting appropriate plants like shrubs, ornamental grasses, and perennials as highlighted, and following good planting practices, you can create a beautiful and inviting landscape around your decking area.
