I'm not sure where to ask this question, so I'll try you guys. If there is a better place to inquire, pleast let me know. I have a drain running across my front flower bed. It's the kind where you trench, add rocks and cover with this black material that keeps dirt, roots, etc. out of it. My problem is that there's only about 6" of dirt over this material, and that's where I really need to plant a two gallon shrub, which is deeper than that. I wouldn't be planting over the drain, but over the material. Can I split the roots and spread them out without killing my shrub? Is there a better procedure? Please advise.
PLANTING SHRUB OVER A DRAIN
Instead of a plant, what about some kind of decorative feature, like a birdbath or iron obelisk or if more of a cottage garden, a basket or planter?
Yes, that's what I've done up until now--decorative plant stand, etc. I just think a taller (mid-size) plant would look so much better there. I have only dwarf indian hawthorn, ground covers and other short plants there. It would be between those short ones and the huge elephant ears.
I don't think you can train the roots not to block the drainage and that would causes problems. Most of that material will not totally block major roots ~ sorry. Perhaps a big planter with a tall shrub or small tree?
Well, too late now. I haven't been on in a few days to see your post, Podster. I hope I did a wise thing--we'll see. I put the two-three gal. plant somewhere else, and bought a one gal. I took it out of the pot, soaked it in a bucket of water for a few hours, so I could better pull the roots apart and planted it. It fit nicely. I don't think it will cause me any drain problems, because it isn't right over the drain. Besides, the guy who did the drain said it was OK to plant over any of that material, and that the roots would spread out to find their places. Again, we'll see.
Looks like the guy was trying to get your future business. Have you seen those Roto-rooter commercials?
This is not sounding good! LOL! Actually, this is not a drain "pipe"--just a trench with rocks in it, covered with that black material.
A drain regardless of its design needs to be clean of any obstructions with will imped the water's flow or it becomes useless.