THE GARDENING WORLD. 
59 
January 26, 1907. 
WALL GARDENING. 
HOW TO BUILD. 
To those only who have seen the beauty 
f these almost rare gardens is it possible 
d look for real appreciation in one’s en- 
eavour to describe the pleasure, the de- 
ight, and amusement, in the possession 
f one however small. Many will say 
bey are beautiful, no doubt, and suit well 
Ihe gentleman with his large grounds and 
1. Sectional view of wall, showing front. 
lull purse, little knowing that the erection 
»f*a wall garden and the planting thereof 
s one of the cheapest of all branches of 
gardening, and requiring less skill in their 
nanagement afterwards. 
Few there are who have not some odd 
rorner in their garden, however small, 
vhere one could be erected, such as shady 
:omers where nothing else succeeds, or 
| he rubbish heap would .be less con- 
picuous with a nicely-clad wall built 
iround it; but enough, for it is not a 
natter of any particular site as to where 
t should or should not be erected. Single 
put that place or spot in your garden 
cinch is most displeasing to you and 
greet there a wall garden. You will be 
iver after pleased with it. 
How TO Build.— Commence first by 
aking out a trench one foot deep and 
; font eighteen to twenty inches wide, the 
ull length required. Procure plenty of 
2 . End mew of wall, showing long stones 
4 , running right through wall. B, soil run¬ 
ning through centre of wall. 
large rough stones, and place on each side 
in the trench, taking care to leave a hollow 
of from six inches or more right through 
the centre, this hollow or cavity left to be 
well filled with soil as the work proceeds. 
Course after course may then be placed 
on both sides, with large stones stretching 
the full width of the wall placed at inter¬ 
vals between in order to bind the whole. 
tightly together. (See figures 1 and 2). 
No mortar whatsoever will be required, 
taking care, however, to work the soil 
firmly down throughout the centre. The 
stones should be so arranged as to have a 
downward inclination from, both sides 
towards the centre. If so desired such 
a wall can be built slightly inwards from 
the perpendicular, if only by a few inches, 
by slightly drawing the stones from both 
sides inwards towards the centre as the 
3. E.nd view, showing wall built out of 
the perpendicular , as recommended. 
desired height is reached. (See figure 
3). Take care to leave a margin between 
each side, even at the finish, so that the 
top may be utilised for various plants. 
The advantage is the means whereby the 
plants may obtain the full benefit of the 
rains by being carried right to their roots. 
This method of building is called 
double building, and is superior to any 
other offering in addition to a free and 
plentiful root run for the plants, the ad¬ 
vantage of being easily constructed at a 
small expense, and requiring but little at¬ 
tention as to watering, etc., except during 
very dry periods, and last, but not least, 
having two aspects, thereby affording a 
means of growing under proper condi¬ 
tions the beautiful plants adapted for this 
kind of gardening. 
Another method is to transform an 
existing wall into one for the accommoda¬ 
tion of plants; with a stone wall it is less 
difficult than with a brick one. With the 
former it is often possible to pick out the 
mortar between the stones, leaving holes 
sufficiently large to insert soil for the 
plants to start in. Failing this, it is best 
to make pockets, which method is used 
on a brick wall. There are many and 
4. Pockets. 
varied ways of making or forming these 
pockets, such as square, oblong, round, 
or various other shapes according as it is 
desired or the fancy suggests, the com¬ 
monest being the square pocket. (See 
figure 4). Procure some stout spikes 
from 9 to 12 inches in length; these may 
be driven into the wall between the bricks 
far enough to hold them securely, leaving 
from 6 to 9 inches on which to rest a slab, 
stone, or bricks. (See figure 5). On the 
bottom thus formed place along the front 
stones or bricks, with one at each end. 
Connect the whole together and you have 
the pocket formed. The usual depth 
necessary is three to four inches, and am- 
desired length; or if desired, small 
pockets of 4 to 6 inches square may be 
formed at intervals, according to the 
option of the interested party and in con¬ 
sideration for the plants intended to adorn 
the wall, some naturally requiring a little 
more root room than others. These 
pockets may then be filled with some good 
soil, and attention given to watering the 
plants growing therein during dry 
weather. Many are the beautiful plants 
which can be used to adorn a wall, and 
may be grown from seed Sown on the wall, 
or raised in boxes or beds and transferred to 
the wall whilst in a young growth, which 
latter method is preferable. 
Autumn or early spring is the best time 
for planting a wall. When the plants axe 
established little or no attention is needed, 
beyond keeping them within bounds, ex¬ 
cept during very dry weather, when a 
G==> 
5. Spikes for pockets to rest on. 
syringe or a watering from a hose, in the 
form of a spray, given once or twice a day 
will keep the whole in a beautifully fresh 
condition, and prevent injury to the 
growth or well-being of the plants. Among 
the many plants.which flourish on walls 
mention may be made of a few such as 
Wallflowers, Antirrhinums, Ferns, Au- 
brietias, Saxifrages (various), Helianthe- 
mums, Campanulas (dwarf), Sedums. 
Saponarias, Alyssums, Primroses, and 
