Please help me hide this thing!

Who wouldn't want to hide this thing?! It's a steel I-beam stuck in a big hunk of concrete, and was hit by a semi... or perhaps several semis (on a no-semi street).

What I want to plant is a type of evergreen vine or ivy that will climb it, without having to run string from the ground to the top of the pole (although it might improve the shape of the mound of foliage - I'm open to suggestions about that as well), but I would like to have something that's not just solid green all year long.

It's in about half sun, half shade (from a tree).

I have more pictures to post, and will add other details with the pictures.

It was flush against the curb at one time, but as you can see it's no longer that way. There is enough of a gap between the curb and sidewalk that I could pack some soil in that area to add a plant on that side.

On the other side, the concrete is somewhat lifted up off the ground.

I could have stuck my hand under the concrete on the biggest side...

Can you take a picture of the whole area?

I promise I am not getting off the subject... The year before last I had a large tub I kept worms in to fish with all summer. When I noticed several worms dying late in the Fall I decided to dump them right in front of the concrete after loosening the soil under and around the concrete, then I packed all the contents of the tub up under the raised concrete. Now it looks as if it's all flat land again. Also, when I dumped the tub I noticed several worms still alive, so I am hoping it has improved the soil condition, but I don't really know.

Anyways, I am wanting to plant something to hide the I-beam, but what are my options? Will anything else grow with evergreen vines or ivy in zone 5b? Has anyone had to hide an object with ivy, if so, what have you found to work the best at hiding it? I know I could try English Ivy or Boston Ivy, but what else? I really want a little color. Can anyone give me some ideas on how to cover this thing up and what to cover it with?

I forgot to add, it gets the most sun on the corner where the sidewalk meets the curb, but the bottom where the bigger soil area is tends to stay shady. I think a clematis would do good there, but I don't think it would grow thick enough to cover everything.

jpl, I will have to wait until tomorrow to get a picture of the general area, in daylight.

That's fine. Can you just remove the whole thing? If not, maybe plant some low growing perennials like Mexican Heather to hide the bottom, and a vine to grow up the pole.

Removal is not an option... I wish it was.

I'm not sure about your zone, but down here jasmine is evergreen and could be trained up that pole. Another thought is to plant something like a Lady Banks rose on the "landside" (it's evergreen down here too). You'd have to keep it pruned so it won't hang too far out into the street (looks like it's next to the street?), but they don't mind pruning at all. And my Lady Banks isn't bothered by all the fungus and bacterial diseases other roses are noted for.

How tall is the beam? It's hard to tell from your pics but it doesn't look like it's that tall. I wonder if you could buy one of those obelisk sorts of trellises and set that over top of the beam, that will help conceal it until the vine grows in (and will provide cover in winter if you choose a deciduous vine) and will also provide something for the vine to attach to so it'll have an easier time climbing (the only things that are going to climb the beam on their own are things like ivy and Virginia creeper that have the little sticky feet, vines that twine or climb with tendrils are going to have a harder time and will need help from you).

Here's a list from Plant Files of evergreen vines that are hardy in zone 5b, I didn't search for any particular sun/shade tolerance so make sure you check that out before planting anything. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/advanced.php?nn%5B16%5D=15&nn%5B1%5D=0&nn%5B2%5D=0&nn%5B3%5D=9&nn%5B4%5D=0&nn%5B5%5D=0&nn%5B6%5D=0&nn%5B7%5D=0&nn%5B8%5D=2&nn%5B9%5D=0&nn%5B23%5D=0&nn%5B10%5D=0&nn%5B12%5D=0&sname=Plants&Search.x=32&Search.y=14

It's at least 4 feet from the ground i think, by far taller than an average sized trash can. I will try to get a height and better pictures posted today.

Unfortunately, that link takes me to a subscriber-only area.

Copy and paste works pretty well in my D-mail though. ;)

Is it in front of your house?

Could you tile it/use pottery or mosaic materials and add your house numbers -one on top of the other - onto the design?

Could you mount a mailbox on top or another box/basket and grow something in it ?

Have you visited the hypertufa forum ? Maybe you could build it out into a art piece ---sort of a totem.

It looks like a safety hazard to me. I'd ask the city again.

First I would have it straitened up or in time, it may loosen it's hold and harm someone and you will probably be held responsible, but as for plants, depending on how much soil you have, there are roses, Clematis, vines of all types and hedging plants will cover it in time and can be cut into many shapes and sizes, but a better picture would really help for all to get their minds set on the matter, good luck. WeeNel.

Why not just paint it some marvelous colors? Some zigzag stripes picking up some of the colors from your yard or house. Maybe like a lightening bolt. Some pretty flowers at the base. Even a laughing face. Make it a focus instead of a problem. Do you have any kids? Different colored hand prints on a blue background. No kids? There's got to be some in the neighborhood. A bicycle tire track up one side and down the other. A gravestone? RIP Don't try to hide it, make it stand out! Have fun with it!

mork-not M -
Your mind works like mine. I'd not do the greenery either - turn it into an opportunity for a little yard art and fun.

my idea won't look pretty for awhile, but out here in western IL- I'd put some wire fencing around it (just a sleeve to provide support) and then plant trumpet vine. Trumpet vine will grow on nearly anything it comes in contact with- and we like the blossoms (so do the hummingbirds!). You will have to keep it contained eventually- but my garden shears do the job.

Look up Virginia Creeper. It grabs hold of any surface, grows vertically VERY well, grows quickly, and after a lush green cover, the fall gives way to incredible RED foliage.

I have it growing on my wooden fence and it is very low maintenance. It tends to be a bit invasive if you let it.

I hope that helps.

if it's between the curb and sidewalk , then it should be the citys problem . what was it originally? sally

Can't really tell from your pixs where this beam is situated. Is it on city owned property? Here in our city the tree lawn is actually owned by the city. This looks like a dangerous situation. If it leans towards a sidewalk what would happen if a child riding a bike fell on it or someone catches their foot on the upheaved portion of the concrete? We had a problem with a fire hydrant on our tree lawn it was too low for anyone to see it in the winter time especially when the snow plows covered it up. I complained but nothing was done. Then one day a friend of ours was backing out of the driveway and due to the snowbank and the lowness of the hydrant, got the front end of his car caught up on top of the hydrant. I called the city and threatened them with a lawsuit along with pixs. Believe me they came out and immediately replaced it. Sometimes a threat of a lawsuit works miracles. If it actually needs to be there then they need to fix it before you try to "make it pretty".

i'm 100% with overwhelmed. these city and county managers are notorious for putting stuff off. pass problems to next one. there's the city engineer , street maintenance ,city council ,city insurance dept ,city attorney, and commissioner for your district. you can contact all of them and go to a council meeting to make a complaint . promise you will get results. if that doesn't work , complain to the newspaper about how you can't get the responsible dept to take charge

Glad you agree with me digger. TV Channel 19 in our neck of the woods will take on city hall and anyone else to get things done.

yep, and she can hang a big sign on it saying "why won't city government remove this potential hazard to our children" and hang red tape all over it. i can get nasty when it comes to city hall and as long as she's right and doesn't defame any one person, there's always another person in a higher office to say "why hasn't this been taken care of/" well good luck and now it's up to you , child. but to me an object that close to the street and covered with greenery , is an accident waiting to happen . if it is on your property , then get someone with a cutting torch to cut it off. sally

Do what Sally said, take a picture and send it in to the newspaper. I bet they would run it.

You know, if nothing else, I'd at least go out at night and whack the hell out of that thing - break all the concrete til it fell over! What would the city do then?

well , it's been awhile , so , what's happened to the post ? sally