By Jennyjupiter
United Kingdom 
I have a corner in my garden where i have put an arbour. I can't decide which is best - to stand it on slabs or shingle. I want to plant roses and lavender around it - please can you help?
2 Jun, 2011
Answers
I assume your roses and lavender are going to be in pots? You could grow them in the ground and put the shingle around them, which would save a lot of watering. I don't care for shingle myself though its very popular right now, but it s a very personal thing and you should go for the one you prefer. Slabs will need less maintenance but unless you get the attractive fancy shaped ones you may feel they are too plain.
2 Jun, 2011
Thankyou both for the advice. I put white stones down which looked very pretty. One of the other roses died but the other is doing very well. The other side a clematis from the fence has made its home over the arbour. It is looking a b it overgrown at the moment as valerian has seeded itself underneath the seat.
20 Aug, 2016
Oh - i did grow them in the ground.
20 Aug, 2016
Glad you did the right thing - sounds attractive.
20 Aug, 2016
It's down to personal taste. I prefer slabs to shingle. Which do you prefer?
2 Jun, 2011