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Dead conifers, what can we do for privacy?

lilyallison1902lilyallison1902 Posts: 2
in Problem solving
We have just moved into a new house and at the back of the garden are conifers. I don’t want to cut them down as they provide a lot of privacy. On the right hand side is a lovely plant growing through the conifers with blue berries on. On the left however the conifers are dead at the base which means we see through to our neighbour’s garden. What can we plant at the base of the conifers to provide more privacy? Thanks 

Posts

  • clarke.bruntclarke.brunt Posts: 215
    edited February 2021
    The 'lovely plant with the berries' is Ivy! Until I did some bee-keeping, I'd never noticed an ivy flower at all, but they flower in autumn/winter and bees go mad for them (not much else in flower at the time), then get these berries which birds eat. Ivy honey goes solid very rapidly, even when still in the honey-comb - even the bees seen to have some difficulty eating it over winter - come spring, what's left looks like they're been using chisels on it!

    I've no suggestions for planting at the base of the trees though. Just can't imagine anything managing to grow where it will be so dry and full of tree roots. Hardy cyclamen might grow and look nice, but only a few inches tall. More ivy, maybe?
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited February 2021
    I also think only a few plants would survive there and the common ivy (Hedera helix) which you already have would work, I think.  You could train some of the stems from the right side over and if you bury part of the stems, they will take root and can later be severed from the parent.  Ivy is wonderful for wildlife and is evergreen, so will provide the privacy you seek, even in the winter.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • AngelicantAngelicant Posts: 130
    What about a small decorative fence to cover the dead conifer then you could put some plants in pots in front of it.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I'm sorry but from your photo I really can't see your problem. At that low level, your neighbours would have to get down on their knees to see through. I agree that a low fence or brushwood screening panel might help if you're really concerned.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
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