I don't much like painting fences (or walls) either, partly because, particularly with light colours, it tends to get grubby-looking quite quickly. A green might be better than a cream. I think a light-coloured floor surface, with greenery on the fence, would make a bigger difference. You can get outdoor mirrors too which might help to make it feel bigger and lighter.
Edit: I just had another look at the picture. If that's a ventilation grille near the bottom of the wall at the end, make sure your gravel is below that level.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
If you are undecided on painting it, you could tack up some old bedsheets on the fence or some large sheets of coloured paper in cream and pale green. Then put some of your chosen potted plants in front of it. If you squint at it from inside it will give you an impression of how it would look. If you are still not sure, probably best not to paint it!
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
I *would* paint it (see https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1061870/painting-a-fence-white-ish-best-coverage) not for making the plants look good (though I think they would) but to reflect the most available light. You do have to think about whether the paint will bleed through, and about how you feel about it getting a bit green over time. But even with one not very light coat so far in my side passage, my kitchen is brighter.
'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
I *would* paint it (see https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1061870/painting-a-fence-white-ish-best-coverage) not for making the plants look good (though I think they would) but to reflect the most available light. You do have to think about whether the paint will bleed through, and about how you feel about it getting a bit green over time. But even with one not very light coat so far in my side passage, my kitchen is brighter.
Oh that is ideaaaal - what shade did you go for in the end? You had the exact same thoughts I'm having now! Don't want it shouty white but light enough so that it makes a difference!
I'd be tempted to paint the fence as @LG_ has done. Try the algicide first - you may find that the clean and brighter fence and decking are all that is required to complement your planting. I'd definitely lighten the pathway though - possibly outdoor floor paint rather than gravel which gets in your shoes and house and could attract cats!
If you are undecided on painting it, you could tack up some old bedsheets on the fence or some large sheets of coloured paper in cream and pale green. Then put some of your chosen potted plants in front of it. If you squint at it from inside it will give you an impression of how it would look. If you are still not sure, probably best not to paint it!
This is a very good idea!
'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
Oh that is ideaaaal - what shade did you go for in the end? You had the exact same thoughts I'm having now! Don't want it shouty white but light enough so that it makes a difference!
I used Ronseal 'Warm Stone' as it was the lightest colour in the Ronseal range, and Ronseal was half the price of Cuprinol. Just one coat has made a big difference, and I could (and might) leave it there. However, if I decide on a second coat I'll need to buy more anyway and I might treat the 'Warm Stone' as an undercoat and get a lighter Cuprinol one as a top coat (they're both water-based so I'm hoping they won't fight each other). Haven't decided yet.
'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
…and yours looks so much better and lighter with the new paint @LG_
I don’t have an issue with light generally in a bigger garden, but recently painted a new shady north fence near black to set off pale/lime green foliage plants and paler flower shades. I avoided dark green foliage because they sap light, but against a pale fence anything goes except maybe tall white flowers which might disappear.
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
If you are undecided on painting it, you could tack up some old bedsheets on the fence or some large sheets of coloured paper in cream and pale green. Then put some of your chosen potted plants in front of it. If you squint at it from inside it will give you an impression of how it would look. If you are still not sure, probably best not to paint it!
This is a very good idea!
omg YES! for someone that finds things hard to visualise... this is just an amaazing idea! I will be doing this this afternoon!
I think a light grey would look nice, and painting every part of the fence (including concrete posts) will make it look much tidier. I would be inclined to use tall pots with sculptural plants (e.g. bamboo) that would look nice with a simple backdrop, keeping it all elegant and minimal.
Kind of like how these walls are used as a foil for plants with distinctive silhouettes...
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
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I don’t have an issue with light generally in a bigger garden, but recently painted a new shady north fence near black to set off pale/lime green foliage plants and paler flower shades. I avoided dark green foliage because they sap light, but against a pale fence anything goes except maybe tall white flowers which might disappear.
Kind of like how these walls are used as a foil for plants with distinctive silhouettes...