Fastest growing plant

lvrpl5559857 · 19 January

Hi, newbie here, recently I've had my privacy disturbed in my back garden! Persimmon house builders have erected a new house overlooking me, so was wondering what is the legal maximum height for a garden fence and what sort of plants grow 10ft plus in a short period of time? trouble being they would have to be potted plants.
Thanks very much.
Paul

amancalledgeorge · 19 January

As I usually say, if you want privacy don't buy in a modern estate as they pack them like sardines. As for something that grows that vigorously, it won't stop and will be a maintenance nightmare. Maybe think of some creative use of a pergola with a climber or some perforated panels further in from the boundary.

Silver surfer · 19 January

lvrpl5559857 Welcome to the forums.

You could try adding trellis to the top of the fence to add height to grow a climber up..eg Honeysuckle/Clematis.
Your problem is going to be tall plants in pots...long term they will not be happy.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=trellis+on+fence

Pleached trees eg line/hornbeam might work but would need to be in soil.

in addition you would need to keep them pruned and access would be needed on both sides.

https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=599800748&rlz=1C1CHBF_enGB785GB785&sxsrf=ACQVn0-EWiRhkqHUG17pCSY3CbHJ8-TmLg:1705673530281&q=pleached+hornbeam+uk&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwip7f-G0emDAxVPXEEAHTd3AwgQ0pQJegQIDRAB&biw=1283&bih=559&dpr=1.5

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&sca_esv=599800748&q=pleached+lime+trees&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiIvf_B0emDAxWzUUEAHdKVCJ0Q0pQJegQIDxAB&biw=1280&bih=595&dpr=1.5

Pete.8 · 19 January

I agree with SS that you're not going to get anything in a pot to do the job.
Can you post a pic of the area to give us a better idea of your problem?

The maximum height of a fence in the UK is 2 metres, which includes any trellis above the fence.
It is possible to have higher fences, but you'll need planning permission

Ceres · 19 January

If you want to grow something tall in a pot, please be aware that it will likely blow over easily in a gale unless the pot is very large and heavy and even then there is no guarantee it will stay upright. Large pots are expensive as are the plants that go into them unless you are thinking of growing something over a period of years.

If someone suggests bamboo as a screen it might be best to ignore them. There are so many problems associated with the plant that it is probably best to avoid it (it spreads like crazy even out of the bottom of pots and can cause a lot of damage).

Ivy is a decent grower and can cover a fence in no time at all but only grow it if the fence is yours or if you have the neighbour's permission if it is their fence.

philippasmith2 · 19 January

I agree with much of the above. If you are restricted to pots only, your choice is somewhat limited.
I don't agree about ignoring Bamboo altogether tho. If you're careful about the variety, they can be grown in containers without root encroachment. I have grown both P aurea and the black bamboo in dustbins for several years. Not the most attractive containers I admit but there are various ways of disguising them.
The small leafed variegated ivy can be a good cover if grown in a largish container but as @Ceres says, may be a good idea to check fence ownership and it is unlikely to reach 10 foot in a short period of time.

Hostafan1 · 19 January

Nothing grows quickly to ten feet then stops

clematisdorset · 19 January

It might be worth creating a raised border along the fence. Would this be possible? Dustbin /dustbin sized planters or large tubs could be used, the bigger the better. Which way does the wind blow into your garden? The pots could blow over, especially with taller plants, which is why a raised border might be safer. A bricked raised border would outlast a wooden one.

If you plant anything of one type in a row, it is more likely to be viewed as a 'hedge' and could be subject to the maximum height ruling.i don't know if this would be enforced, but it might be a risk. Yearly or half yearly pruning or some plants is possible, in order to keep the height lower, but some plants just want to grow (especially when planted in the ground, -which I appreciate you say you are not able to).

philippasmith2 · 19 January

My understanding of a Hedge is as @clematisdorset describes but you can possibly get around this by planting the odd "different " shrub/plant along the line to break it up.
Not been mentioned but if the new house has been sold, perhaps you could introduce yourself to the new owner and have a chat about the boundary and what would suit both of you ?

Ceres · 19 January

philippasmith2 said:

I have grown both P aurea and the black bamboo in dustbins for several years. Not the most attractive containers I admit but there are various ways of disguising them.

Why disguise them? Celebrate the industrial and utilitarian.

philippasmith2 · 19 January

Ceres said:

philippasmith2 said:

I have grown both P aurea and the black bamboo in dustbins for several years. Not the most attractive containers I admit but there are various ways of disguising them.

Why disguise them? Celebrate the industrial and utilitarian.

I didn't say you had to - just that it was possible if you felt so inclined.

Fastest growing plant

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