Fake Wall Makeover
Don and Scott used faux rock panels and colourful foliage plants to makeover an ugly, damaged brick wall.
Faux rock walls
These semi-flexible panels are made from moulded polyurethane covered in sand, oxide and paint. We used two sections (3m x 2m), weighing between 50-60kg each. (Note: smaller panels are available (2.4m x 1.8m), which are ideal to cover a standard paling fence.
To fix the panels to the brick wall, Scott first attached timber battens to the wall using galvanised screws and 6.5mm nylon anchors. He used a masonry drill bit to drill through both the battens and the bricks, because this saved time and made it easier to accurately line up the centre of the bricks. The panels were held in place with timber chocks at the base, then screwed onto the battens. Finally, the screw heads were camouflaged with a dab of black silicone and a dusting of charcoal oxide and sand.
Plants
Don used faux rocks and soil to create a raised garden bed and hide the base of the brick wall. He then planted the garden with a selection of foliage plants, giving the whole area a tropical, jungle feel. Bangalow palms (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana) were chosen for the upper storey. They were underplanted with colourful foliage plants such as cordylines (Cordyline fruticosa), calatheas (Calathea sp.), bromeliads and heucheras (Heuchera ‘Velvet Night’). For an exotic touch, white bat plants (Tacca integrifolia) were added to the planting scheme. They have strange, almost bizarre flowers resembling a bat’s black face with white ears and long whiskers. Tillandsias (Tillandsia sp.) and other bromeliads were tucked into pockets and crevices in the fake rock wall.
Cost and availability
Rocks
Rocks and rock panels are available nationally from Universal Rocks, phone (02) 9533 7400. Feature rocks cost from $60 – $400, depending on size, and 3m x 2m faux rock panels cost $1500 – $1600. (Note: the rock panels we used are actually waterfall panels. They can be used dry as we used them, or as cascading water features).
Plants
Most of the plants used in this makeover can be obtained through your local nursery. You may need to contact specialist nurseries for some plants (your local nursery should be able to provide you with contacts). Approximate prices:
Bangalow palms – $137 for 35L grow bags White bat plants – $62 for 250mm (10″) pots
Calatheas – $33 for 175mm (7″) pots.
Tropical cordylines – $27 for 200mm (8″) pots
Heuchera ‘Velvet Night’ – $13.50 for 140mm (6″) pots
Tillandsias – $7-$30 depending on size and variety
Bromeliads – $15-$70 depending on size and variety