Fence screening ideas

AstilbeHereWaiting · May 2023

Hi

In order to accommodate a raised border on their side, our neighbour has decided to slice 12 inches off the bottom of 3 of their existing fence panels and replace it with concrete slabs with us looking at the rough edge. Sadly it’s their fence so they can very much do as they wish with it and we weren’t consulted in advance so we’re now left with the problem of trying to make it look less awful.

I’m looking for a screening option that is attractive to look at but also hard wearing enough not to require replacing every couple of years and able to withstand some light strimming given its proximity to the lawn.

Willow screening is currently in the lead but I’m open to any more novel suggestions anyone might have.

It’s a small garden so I think that rules out anything with a large footprint like hedges.

Fairygirl · May 2023

Hi @AstilbeHereWaiting -the advantage of the concrete boards is that they help to prevent the fence timber from rotting quickly where it's in contact with the soil. However, I agree - they aren't the prettiest thing in the world!
It would be better to make a small border and just plant up with a mix of evergreens and perennials. It makes the grass easier to cut too as it wouldn't be up against the fence.
The planting can be simple - you can use just three plants and repeat those, or you can use something easy like Euonymous fortuneii [many varieties] which are largely variegated, although there are also plain ones which are a good substitute for box. Hebes are good for that too, and you get flowers as well with those. They prefer a sunny site, but they'll take some shade too. Both of those would effectively give you a simple low hedge which wouldn't take any real maintenance once established. The euonymous can be pruned/trimmed easily if needed. A few vertical perennials slotted in between, and some spring bulbs, and you'd have something pretty straightforward for each season.

Jenny_Aster · May 2023

Why not make your own raised bed? Perhaps you'll only need 3 sides to it, front and 2 sides, obv using the concrete as the side at the back. Maybe ask your neighbour if they'll mind, it could be they're doing the same.

Plantminded · May 2023

The two options above would both work well for you. In either option, you could also repeat your trellis arrangement on the other two fence panels and grow the same or another climber that you like (with your neighbour's permission to attach the trellis to the fence!), perhaps using a colour on your trellis to draw your eye to the plants rather than the fence!

Fairygirl · May 2023

The only reason I didn't mention a raised beds is because of the existing plant there, but I'm sure it would be easy enough to move if necessary.
It would also depend on the rest of the fence line as it doesn't have the boards, so it may look a bit odd, unless the neighbour's considering doing the same all along the fence. Might be best to find out before doing anything too drastic, especially as they didn't forewarn you about doing the new boards.

Slow-worm · May 2023

I'd paint it some kind of light brown, and just put a small border in with plants to hide it.
Our fence is old and hideous, but the eye is drawn to the plants and flowers in front of it - so it's not necessary to hide the lot. 👍
I agree with @Fairygirl, some evergreens and perennials would easily do it.
Or, you could put a bamboo hedge in.

How about some lovely gnomes? 🤭🤣

JennyJ · May 2023

I agree, make a border along there. It doesn't need to be raised if you don't want the bother of building and filling up - the plants will mask the concrete boards. Just strip the turf, dig/fork it over, mix in some organic matter and then the fun part, choosing and planting something beautiful. Our neighbour's new fence, put in a couple of years ago, has 12" deep concrete gravel boards at the bottom and from my side they're hidden behind the plants in my borders.

Fence screening ideas

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