How build a brick flower box on top of pavers?

[Greg_W]

We've toyed with putting pots and plantar boxes along the inside of the front wall but now we have come up with a new idea.

Laying a row of brick or block inside the line of the existing wall (making the inside wall the same height as the existing wall - noting there is a step on the pavers already)

Rendering the brick or block the same colour as the existing wall (or getting the whole wall re-rendered)

Adding a waterproof membrane to the inside of the walls (and the paving floor). 

Drainage - there is no access to the storm water pipes so I'm thinking of having an Ag line going contra to the natural slope of the pavers (away and to the gate) and then having a weep hole to discharge the excess water trickle to the front path (away from the gate)

We were then thinking of a colourful ground cover (good afternoon sun facing due West) as well as higher plants like Ficus hillii "Emerald" to help shade the courtyard in summer and add a little privacy.

Anyone out there with something to add that we haven't thought of? Ideas? Improvements? A better way?

 

  

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi @Greg_W 

Great   plan will look great when its done.

Just  some points for you to  consider.

The sloped  brick work will need reasonably skilled person to do that well but it is the  best option.

You wont need to add a  waterproof  membrain as  it isnt a fish pond to hold  water. In fact the reverse I would  want to drill concrete holes  or break through the cement underneath with a jack hammer inside the new brick wall to try and get to ground  earth again so water  can drain down wards and  also  plant roots can dig down and be more drought robust with deeper  roots.

I would make it 900mm wide to allow a nice plant showing. and root  room.

Research  your ficus cultivar as to their root growing habit you wanted as they have  at times damaging root systems.

They  may need that concrete intact  to retain the roots.

See  where this  takes you and  others can  help too.

[JacobZ]

Hi @Greg_W,

It's great to see @Jewelleryrescue has already provided some fantastic advice.

Allow me to tag @Nailbag, @TedBear and @Dave-1 to see if they have any thoughts to add.

Jacob

[Dave-1]

Good Afternoon @Greg_W 

I really like your thinking and reasoning. I dont see any problems with what you mention right down to drainage for the bed.

As a secondary option that might be easier then modifing the wall.

How about some flower boxes installed on top of the wall? I can see some grey flower boxes just to the right of that piece of wood in your last photo and was thinking of a bunch along the top of the wall. If it makes the wall to high then you could remove the top of those bessa blocks.

You could even go over by 50mm or say 70 mm, 20mm one side and 50mm the other to give as much space to the garden bed as possible. This is just another option as I do like your thinking in the first place.

Dave

[Nailbag]

Hi @Greg_W 

@Jewelleryrescue pretty much has covered it all very well. Maybe just consider during the build any requirements to run any low voltage lighting cable or irrigation tubing. 

regards Nailbag