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Hide fence with a hedge

Jennyh83Jennyh83 Posts: 3
in Problem solving
I am hoping to hide the fence in this photo that has been badly damaged by ivy from next door. I tried pulling the ivy off on our side but just made it look worse! I think my only option is to grow a hedge in front of it. I have been looking into a laurel hedge but worry it might end up being too wide and take up a lot of space in our small garden. Is there any options that would grow ok near to the fence and not be too wide? Something fast-ish growing would be great too! It gets sun most of the day.
Thanks

Posts

  • robairdmacraignilrobairdmacraignil Posts: 782
    Hornbeam can be grown to make a fairly narrow hedge. Amazed to see some on a TV program in some French formal garden that are kept to less than a metre wide and about 10metres tall.
    https://www.youtube.com/user/sustainableveg/videos
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    Is this your fence as the posts seem to be on your land. If it is yours and you are brave enough complain to your neighbour.

    I would go along the bottom of the fence and cut through any ivy stems your side and spray any  growth your side  with the appropriate weedkiller.
    You certainly don't want laurels and anything you plant there will just give the ivy something to cling to and because it's a hedge youwont be able to do much about it.
    You could make a border in front with grasses and tall perennials and a couple of shrubs. Buddlia grows 6ft in a season. You will also be able to tackle any ivy that appears more easily.
  • Jennyh83Jennyh83 Posts: 3
    Thanks both!
    Yes, it is our fence though unfortunately we don't have the money to replace it especially as it will probably succumb to the ivy too, but it seems like a hedge might suffer the same fate! The neighbours are currently in the process of selling the house so hoping the new owners may tackle it but I will follow your advice and see what I can do from this side. Maybe I should be patient and see what the new neighbours are like and I will definitely look into hornbeam if the ivy will be managed. 
    I will also look at buddleia too - I do love them but I thought they we really big? Perhaps one each end with smaller shrubs in between would be nice. Sorry, my gardening knowledge is still pretty low but I am trying to educate myself! Are there any other shrubs you would suggest! Thanks so much!
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    Buddlia might get big or you can now buy more compact ones but you cut it down to around 18 ins each year in spring as it only flowers on new wood. This gives you a chance to get at the ivy each year.
    Maybe suggest to your neighbours that a nice well maintained garden can add value to the property.
  • Jennyh83Jennyh83 Posts: 3
    Ok, great, I'll look into some more compact ones.
    And yes, very true, I may have a word!
    Thanks for your help.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    edited March 2021
    I would be trying Pyracantha, you can train it against a fence quite effectively. You can get it bare root fairly cheaply.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
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