What plants to plant in a gravel garden?

Sempervivums and sedums will be happy as clams as will Erinus alpinus (fairy foxgloves), most herbs including thyme (lots of different ones), marjoram and oregano. Miscanthus (ornamental grasses) and bamboos... there is actually a pretty long list once you start thinking.

Thanks for that Moongrower, the herbs would be aromatic too! You've given me a few to think about...thanks again.

Take a look at http://www.potandgrass.co.uk/gravel_patio.html and http://www.karisgarden.com/chapters/bathmag/bristol2.htm
Given that we have friend in Norway who grows al his alpines in sand they would probably grow in gravel too. Think of any mediterranean scrub plant and you are probably okay.

Thanks again Moongrower - I'll take a look at them.

Have a look at any books by Beth Chatto as she has a fantastic gravel garden and it is open to the public. cant remember where it is though.

Thanks Seaburngirl, it might be worth investing in one.

you should be able to borrow it from your local library.

Our local library is more into computers, CD's and DVD's than books these days. Just checked Amazon there you go http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beth-Chattos-Gravel-Garden-Chatto/dp/0711214255/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1249492255&sr=1-2

Beth Chatto's garden is in Essex at Elmstead Market near Colchester.
I mentioned it in my recent blog on Gardens of Norfolk (although the photo I included was not of the gravel garden)

So may or may not help you Frenchbean lol

I don't think they'll have it in our local library as I'm based in France - but will definitely check out the website & get my hubby to buy it for my birthday which is coming up soon! Thankyou all for your help.

While this may not be the answer you are looking for?
May I mention that the microbes that eat our toilet waste, work best in a temperature of 35 degrees C.
If you are lucky? Inasmuch as, your septic is located in a sunny position, then you should do nothing that will prevent the sun from warming the septic. The way it works, the microbes convert the solids in our toilet to methane and carbon dioxide gases, the solids being 70% water to start with and about on average 66 grams per day, virtually disapear after process.
In fact, the solids build up over winter when the ground is cold and disappear in summer when the ground warms.
Why not take advantage of the summer heat?

I appreciate your wisdom and advice Perry525 - but I have to look at this from my kitchen window!...Lol.

Um Perry thank you for sharing that fascinating info! However, let's get real... the tank is buried under a heap of, in this case, gravel - personally I can't see that planting flowers on the top is going to cause a problem. Any time we have had septic tank drainage then the tank has been so far below the ground we could have grown a whole variety of plant life on top with no problem. Just checked with Mr MG, aka Bulbaholic, who is ex. SEPA, who says he can see no reason for a problem. Go for it Frenchbean :-) Oh and FB is, surprise, surprise in France... thus rules and regs. are likely to be different :-)

I'm going for it MG...girlpower!! Lol :0))

Way to go FB!

Perry is technically correct in describing how a septic tank operates but they perform quite adequately up here in the north of Scotland and up to Shetland where they are often located in cold, damp ground.