Planted guttering

Guttering is a cheap, easy and effective way to clothe a bare wall or fence. It can be grouped in rows or dotted across a wall, and looks great planted with anything from salad leaves to alpines, a mix of bright seasonal bedding or even flowering perennials, such as Mexican fleabane (above). Choose a large size of guttering (standard house guttering is about 112mm wide) so that the plants have enough soil. Use multipurpose potting compost, rather than a heavier, soil-based one, and mix with vermiculite or perlite to aid drainage. You should also drill holes in the base of the guttering so water can drain out easily.