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Suggestions for ways to 'fill in the gaps' in a tree for privacy

elderberryelderberry Posts: 118
in Plants
We have a largish cedar which fails to prevent us seeing our neighbours, because there's big gaps between the branches, so I've been wondering about ways to fill in those gaps, possibly on a temporary basis while a new hedge grows. Any suggestions welcome!

Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I'm not sure that would be possible or even desirable @elderberry. Cedar's can get huge and anything grown up it would add to the weight of the canopy, wouldn't it?

    Not sure why you want to hide the neighbours! 
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited November 2022
    How high do you need the barrier to be?  

    A neighbour cut back dramatically his side of his 10ft Chamaecyparis hedge ( I guess Eldoodii); it left see-through gaps.  I already had Hedera hibernica as ground-cover at the base, it quite rapidly scrambled up his side, filled the gap and made his side look green.  His wife was delighted.  He never said a word.

    I guess other climbers would work as well.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Have you got a photo of the tree @elderberry? I can't see how you can put something in gaps between branches in order to have a screen. It would also detract massively from the cedar itself.
    Perhaps I'm misunderstanding your query though. Just how much of the neighbours are you seeing?

    If you're waiting for a hedge to grow, perhaps you could have a simple chicken wire fence in front of the hedge and stick some annuals in if the site's suitable. Nothing will be instant though   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • elderberryelderberry Posts: 118
    bédé said:
    Hedera hibernica
    Yes, I have a lot of ivy which will be moved and encouraged to reach for the skies.

  • StephenSouthwestStephenSouthwest Posts: 635
    If you're looking for something temporary, and if you don't mind gaps in the winter, then nasturtium has worked for me whilst waiting for a hedge to grow...
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