Plant Beds & Borders made of Natural Stone

Design with Pavers, Cobblestones, Natural Stone  

When planting climbers in public/urban spaces or near buildings, you'll also need to consider the plant bed and corresponding border at the plant's base. The choice of material belongs to an overall integrated greening project. Occasionally, and especially in public spaces, some trunk (stem) or tree guard may also be required. Here we offer you some ideas for planning and implementing a natural stone plant base.

Planting ring made of natural stone around a grapevine
Planting ring made of natural stone around a grapevine

Function

Plant bases are delineated areas within a hard landscape surface, which are adapted to the soil requirements of a climbing plant. Basically, the plant is allocated a small area of soil within a rather hostile environment in which to thrive. The challenge is to get a bit of loose soil within the hard soil. If at all possible, the planting area should have a continuous connection with the surrounding natural or imported soil, and not simply be a pot stuck in the ground. The soil of a planting base can be left bare, or can be mulched, graveled, or planted with small ground-covering plants, depending on the requirements of the individual climbing plant.

Plant Borders, Stone Arrangement

The interface between the planting area and the surrounding paved (hard landscaped) surface can be made of cobblestones, paving stones, or shaped (precast) concrete blocks. Not only do they provide an enclosing border around the planting area, but they also protect the surrounding pavement from becoming loose and disintegrating.