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Advice on long boundary wall and privacy
bmckinlay0007846
Posts: 8
Hello! First time post but keen lurker.
My wife and I have been struggling for a year now to decide on a planting schedule for our boundary wall. The garden is E-S-W facing and benefits from a lot of sunshine. We have a long boundary wall (about 15m of plantable length) that we are looking to plant with trees for privacy, and shrubs/foilage for interest.
I tend to navigate to a more organised symmetrical look (i.e., 4 birch trees at 2.8m apart, interspersed with a hedge/shrub like photinia 'Red Robin').
My wife tends to prefer a more natural look with use of a 'mini-grove' and clusters of plants.
We have so far tended to agree on tree species such as Silver Birch, Amelanchier Lamarkii, Conference pear, Bay laurel, and Cherry tree - but open to suggestion of course. For the lower-level shrubs/hedges we are wide open to suggestions and just want some interest for ourselves and the wildlife.
The only important point is to gain privacy at the borders closest to the house (marked in picture).
Any suggestions, advice, opinions greatly appreciated. I've included pictures of the current garden situation, and a poor Sketchup attempt to illustrate prospective planting ideas.
The wall is on the East, Forest to the South.
Thank you!
My wife and I have been struggling for a year now to decide on a planting schedule for our boundary wall. The garden is E-S-W facing and benefits from a lot of sunshine. We have a long boundary wall (about 15m of plantable length) that we are looking to plant with trees for privacy, and shrubs/foilage for interest.
I tend to navigate to a more organised symmetrical look (i.e., 4 birch trees at 2.8m apart, interspersed with a hedge/shrub like photinia 'Red Robin').
My wife tends to prefer a more natural look with use of a 'mini-grove' and clusters of plants.
We have so far tended to agree on tree species such as Silver Birch, Amelanchier Lamarkii, Conference pear, Bay laurel, and Cherry tree - but open to suggestion of course. For the lower-level shrubs/hedges we are wide open to suggestions and just want some interest for ourselves and the wildlife.
The only important point is to gain privacy at the borders closest to the house (marked in picture).
Any suggestions, advice, opinions greatly appreciated. I've included pictures of the current garden situation, and a poor Sketchup attempt to illustrate prospective planting ideas.
The wall is on the East, Forest to the South.
Thank you!
0
Posts
First of all, it would be handy to know whereabouts roughly you are so we can take weather into consideration and if you know whether you have acid or alkaline soil as that also has a bearing on advice.
It occurs to me that a pergola on the side of your seating area in front of the wall would help to quickly provide the privacy you need and you could then plant climbing plants on the lawn site. Wisteria, roses and clematis all come to mind.
Depending on the height of the wall and your location some tall grasses like Calamagrostis Karl Foerster or Miscanthus between the trees you want to plant would fit your preference for formality.
To please your wife and as the garden belongs to you both, I suggest she has her own area, perhaps the woodland, where she can indulge her liking for more cottage garden planting.
Once we know a bit more, we can advise further on the planting.
We are in the Highlands of Scotland, just East of Inverness near Nairn. Relative to the rest of Scotland, we get a reasonable amount of sun up here on the coast. Wind is an issue at times. Soil I am not sure if but could purchase a test kit and analyse this. Soil type is mixed but we are a very fertile area as the new build area used to be part of a farm afaik. Not pictured above is the fence between our drive (runs parallel to the wall), which contains several Phormium and long grasses with a 1m high picket fence.
We have discussed a pergola in that area, but are concerned we would shade the area and also limit the light coming into the kitchen window. But yes, I am keen to find a solution that may incorporate a covered pergola to enjoy the garden in the rain, whilst also leaving an area to soak up the morning sun. The corner formed between the house and garden room (left of last picture) does not get much sun and I thought may be a good option for this. But unsure how this will all come together.
The garden wall is 1.8m high. That sounds like a nice solution re: two separate areas. The far end of the garden with the posh shed is a job for the future. We plan to rip all that decking out and start from scratch. Perhaps using this for a more country/wild look.
Thanks again for your input.
I'd agree that the area furthest from the house will be nice for a more relaxed area of planting.
How is Nairn today? I haven't been there in along time. Last time there was some serious snow and even the 4 wheel drive wasn't coping terribly well! It was minus 15 too, so the heated seats were very welcome
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Some snake bark Acers planted along the wall could eventually be crown lifted when the heads were above the top of the wall to give summer privacy, look at evergreens if you want year round privacy. As above, you should leave quite a wide border from the base of the wall to give any trees planted enough water, soil and nutrition space.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agmapplespears.pdf
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.