Backyard waterfall...any ideas of potted plant/bonsai for the very top

[Cadillactaste]

The very top of the falls can't have a built in planter. Because of need to have access to the pipe coming into feed the waterfall of water. I would like "something" up on the very top...bonsai weeping willow or something just plant related that can go into a pot that would make it less hard lines.

Hopefully you can tell it is built into the hillside. So from the backyard it doesn't look like an unnatural mound of rocks. We also planted large rocks in and along the rest of the flowerbeds. So they look like they have been there a long while and not just "placed" there.

But...I keep visualizing something on top planted...but we just can't do that. Thus...maybe a rock planter...with "something".

This area gets morning sun...and we're zone 5b

 

[Cadillactaste]

An idea of the size rocks used to make the waterfall...I believe our friend/escavator was trying to out do himself with finding the largest one. I believe this was the one that beat all the rest. He drug it up the road...unable to lift it off the ground.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Photo taken from balcony area...

 

[GrimLore]

Two or three Cedar monkey poles could be placed "up and around" the area that cannot be blocked at different heights and angles. Myself I would put one slightly forward and lower on the right. One on the left a bit taller. I would angle the tops in towards each other a bit giving the impression they are almost touching. On the right side pole I would place a Large Potted 6-8 foot straight decorative tree and a smaller pot containing something like Wisteria and allow it to grow downward. On the left higher pole I would place a 6 foot or so "weeper" and perhaps a small weeper as well both angled a bit towards the center. I am pretty certain that would look not only nice but balanced and make for a very nice calm visual.

Grimmy

 

[Cadillactaste]

Two or three Cedar monkey poles could be placed "up and around" the area that cannot be blocked at different heights and angles. Myself I would put one slightly forward and lower on the right. One on the left a bit taller. I would angle the tops in towards each other a bit giving the impression they are almost touching. On the right side pole I would place a Large Potted 6-8 foot straight decorative tree and a smaller pot containing something like Wisteria and allow it to grow downward. On the left higher pole I would place a 6 foot or so "weeper" and perhaps a small weeper as well both angled a bit towards the center. I am pretty certain that would look not only nice but balanced and make for a very nice calm visual.

Grimmy

Thanks for the advice...now to go google what cedar monkey poles are! (you lost me on that part...can't even make a visual)

We just put this in last summer...but I feel the top needs "something". I am making my list for spring...so I can have my nursery order things in if need be.

Wisteria is toxic...but this is a no dog zone here so I should be okay.

 

[drew33998]

Awesome job. That is great!

 

[GrimLore]

Monkey Pole http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?11114-More-Monkey-Poles - That is one of hundreds of ways to do that. If the poles are set in they would provide nice stable platforms. Might even consider adding similar to what is on top only smaller graduated down one side. I would just avoid symmetrical and create a nice flow.

Grimmy

 

[Cadillactaste]

Awesome job. That is great!

Thanks! I had only asked for a large rock sat on top of a wall of rocks making a horseshoe shape. For a much smaller water feature. Thinking if I didn't get carried away...he would do it. Then bring in our friend the escavator. He seen the kit we had...and asked why on earth was we waiting so much material and making it so small? And it went from there...tried for a some what natural looking system...

The waterfall and hardscape that we incorporated into the flowerbeds...took the entire summer. But well worth it...now to build up the greenery there.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Monkey Pole http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?11114-More-Monkey-Poles - That is one of hundreds of ways to do that. If the poles are set in they would provide nice stable platforms. Might even consider adding similar to what is on top only smaller graduated down one side. I would just avoid symmetrical and create a nice flow.

Grimmy

That would be a good concept. But unsure how to secure the posts. With the entire waterfall having a rubber liner under it. We have built up flower bed pockets but...no way to secure a post well enough that I can fantom. Unless you have a suggestion.

What ever I do...I have to secure the pots. The wind will take them over the hill for certain! I thought...surrounding pots with big rocks....and possibly tucking one up over the rim of the said pot so it won't topple over. Because there is nothing to brake the wind and my rose tree is always falling over and it is protected to some extent from wind.

 

[dick benbow]

If it were mine, it would have a weeping blue atlas cedar planted one end and hanging down as a screen across the entire width. They;re hardy and readily trained. I had one over my waterfall in my japanese garden koi pond. beautiful.

 

[GrimLore]

That would be a good concept. But unsure how to secure the posts. With the entire waterfall having a rubber liner under it. We have built up flower bed pockets but...no way to secure a post well enough that I can fantom. Unless you have a suggestion.

What ever I do...I have to secure the pots. The wind will take them over the hill for certain! I thought...surrounding pots with big rocks....and possibly tucking one up over the rim of the said pot so it won't topple over. Because there is nothing to brake the wind and my rose tree is always falling over and it is protected to some extent from wind.

Monkey Poles can be and are made a variety of ways including stone and concrete - I thought cedar would age nicely and give you a smooth fusion of Western and Eastern "look" I am pretty certain the posts could be set in concrete using a pvc collar buried at the base. Also seems to me they could be dug normal and set at the edges... I am talking about the Monkey Pole not as pictured there in the link but utilizing the concept to get you sturdy bases and a nice look. As with pots stands can greatly enhance a planting. Do you happen to have a architectural drawing of that to pm me? I could mark it up and send it back.

Grimmy

Added: When you start getting into 20 gallon and larger pots the tree will break long before the pot will move - Sandy challenged two of ours and failed...

 

[drew33998]

What about creating a grout base on some of the rocks and fill with soil, just like slab planting bonsai only the grout will keep the soil in place. Then you can plant on the larger rocks to have a more natural look instead of using huge containers that will stand out. You can make weep holes in the grout with a simple 12d nail. Just a thought

 

[GrimLore]

What about creating a grout base on some of the rocks and fill with soil, just like slab planting bonsai only the grout will keep the soil in place. Then you can plant on the larger rocks to have a more natural look instead of using huge containers that will stand out. You can make weep holes in the grout with a simple 12d nail. Just a thought

Lots of things could and would work very well. My perspective is to make it have an ornamental style incorporated to the present look but not have either overbearing. I would still vote that route but hey it is not mine to say

Grimmy

 

[Cadillactaste]

What about creating a grout base on some of the rocks and fill with soil, just like slab planting bonsai only the grout will keep the soil in place. Then you can plant on the larger rocks to have a more natural look instead of using huge containers that will stand out. You can make weep holes in the grout with a simple 12d nail. Just a thought

That may work...if I make each rock moveable without making a mess of soil! Thanks for the idea! Now...things that can adapt to shallow potting for our zone...is what I need to look at. Thanks for the idea!

 

[Cadillactaste]

Monkey Poles can be and are made a variety of ways including stone and concrete - I thought cedar would age nicely and give you a smooth fusion of Western and Eastern "look" I am pretty certain the posts could be set in concrete using a pvc collar buried at the base. Also seems to me they could be dug normal and set at the edges... I am talking about the Monkey Pole not as pictured there in the link but utilizing the concept to get you sturdy bases and a nice look. As with pots stands can greatly enhance a planting. Do you happen to have a architectural drawing of that to pm me? I could mark it up and send it back.

Grimmy

Added: When you start getting into 20 gallon and larger pots the tree will break long before the pot will move - Sandy challenged two of ours and failed...

Afraid not...the original plan was tossed out the window when the guy seen the rubber liner and how much waist we were going to toss out. They just went for a "natural" look with placement.

My husband would go for rocks being a base...he would not go for the cedar. He wants it to look some what...natural.

 

[GrimLore]

My husband would go for rocks being a base...he would not go for the cedar. He wants it to look some what...natural.

You are reading what you are typing not what I typed. Monkey Pole type stands can be made from stone or any material as I said earlier in the thread. Was actually going to mention you could match things up nicely

Grimmy

 

[Cadillactaste]

You are reading what you are typing not what I typed. Monkey Pole type stands can be made from stone or any material as I said earlier in the thread. Was actually going to mention you could match things up nicely

Grimmy

Should have been a blonde...lol sorry about that. I actually ran it past my nursery on Facebook. Here is what they said,"Goodings Nursery & Landscaping Nice waterfall. But with all rocks, may feel somewhat 'stark'. I suggest a focal point plant. I'd move away slightly from the fast falls or whatever used for the source of water flow, and plant some type of weeping plant. If evergreen, maybe weeping Norway Spruce. If shaded all PM, then maybe use weeping Hemlock."

And it is stark...so wish I could plant where the rhodie was planted...sigh...it was out of the liner zone. I do have the other side...but leach beds. So no willows...curious if we could move the rhodie...hm-mmm but I do like the monkey pole idea and plants where I am not allowed to put built in beds. Stone though...

 

[GrimLore]

As I was saying - you can put up "monkey pole" type stands that look natural - toss "heavy pots" with nice trees like willows and enjoy... You and the Man would both enjoy and in addition have the "east meets west" uniformity while both liking it. At This Point with stone poles and a natural tree to the area(weeping willow) it would make you both happy. The smaller specimens would enhance all but I do not se any reason why you could be both be pleased. You do have a "stark" but very beautiful base - now is the time to take it where you both feel good. In my humble opinion to make it natural AND Bonsai "happy" both things need to mesh...

You both did a great job - I have overseen much larger projects and feel you need to visualize what you like. For example I have a post that shows a 450 thousand dollar "lawn ornament" and it is what it is... Not my cup of tea but interesting...

If I had a penny for EVERY time I told someone to sit and relax and research Bonsai and Wabi-sabi at the same time I would be "richer" but no more profound...

Grimmy

 

[Cadillactaste]

"Stark" is the perfect word to describe it! Though it was only put in last summer. We call the back patio/waterfall area "our grow old together" place to sit and relax. Watch a few birds...the pileated woodpecker also will feed at our feeders while we sit out back and watch.