I've heard of the 'no fencing' rule in front gardens because of the design of a housing estate, but not in back gardens. Still, Donna doesn't want a fence anyway.
I like Tetley's idea of mixed shrubs and climbers. (Though if it were mine, I'd prefer them against trellis... although it's almost a fence, it allows wind filtering, is less solid than panels, allows light/rain from both sides, provides instant privacy while the plants grow and keeps pets safe.)
Leave the conifer trunks as posts and attach wires on vine eyes. Then you can grow a selection of climbers which will give cover till shrubs (in front) grow up to hide everything. Leave a gap of a couple of feet so that you can get in to prune and feed the climbers - you could make a simple pathway. That will help you access the shrubs for maintenance too.
Is this a front garden rather than a rear one - is that why there's a no fence policy Donna?
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Surely if the deeds say no fencing then chain link is not permitted? Even if you're going to plant it??
I'd be inclined to plant something like berberis and escalonia but as others have said you'll need to do something in the meantime especially if you have a dog.
Sounds to me like you and the neighbour need to sit down in front of a gardening book or the internet and look up ideas for hedging or climbers and reach consensus on what you both like.
I most definitely would never go for ivy. Too much maintenance for me and when it gets out of hand it really does become a thug and its then a pig to get rid of.
Thanks everyone for all your input, and thank you tetly for the plant list.
Lots of great ideas.
I dont know why my deeds say no fences, but yes it is for the rear garden too, and yes this is my back garden.
I realise chain link is a fence, but I feel growing something up it makes a good compromise and so I would contest any complaints immensely. Afterall, there are bits of chicken wire all along, that have been shoved into holes over the years, before I got here.
I like the idea of the climbers and shrubs. And I will look into beach.
I'm really surprised that the local authority has insisted on an item in your deeds that effectively gives you no control over your own boundaries - indeed, how do you know exactly where your boundary is? My first stop would be the planning department at the LA. It's not unusual for there to be restrictions at the front, for 'street scene' and visibility reasons, but not at the rear. How do you keep your neighbours' goat off your flowerbeds?
wow! such a lot been said already. We had a problem with fencing blowing down every October, so replaced with a low chain link fence (that would keep the dog safe) and holly - mainly green, but some variegated. This has completely obscured the chain link and is a haven for birds as well as a wonderful backdrop to all other planting. Pruning/trimming is done in November/December, providing the base of several holly wreaths - and surplus is put in a box on the pavement outside with an invitation to "help yourself". It does not grow all that quickly, but should give you adequate cover inside three years. Choose several varieties carefully if you want berries as you need both a male and female plant.
yes, tetly, no goat or geese! I'd love them though!
Thanks gardening granny. Glad to hear from someone else who has had the same trouble as me and seen chain link as a sensible solution. I like making holly wreaths, but I'm not sure about it for the garden as I also have a baby and its a little harsh if you run into it. But its a great throught for the future.
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I've heard of the 'no fencing' rule in front gardens because of the design of a housing estate, but not in back gardens. Still, Donna doesn't want a fence anyway.
I like Tetley's idea of mixed shrubs and climbers. (Though if it were mine, I'd prefer them against trellis... although it's almost a fence, it allows wind filtering, is less solid than panels, allows light/rain from both sides, provides instant privacy while the plants grow and keeps pets safe.)
Leave the conifer trunks as posts and attach wires on vine eyes. Then you can grow a selection of climbers which will give cover till shrubs (in front) grow up to hide everything. Leave a gap of a couple of feet so that you can get in to prune and feed the climbers - you could make a simple pathway. That will help you access the shrubs for maintenance too.
Is this a front garden rather than a rear one - is that why there's a no fence policy Donna?
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Sounds like you have a big job on your hands.
Surely if the deeds say no fencing then chain link is not permitted? Even if you're going to plant it??
I'd be inclined to plant something like berberis and escalonia but as others have said you'll need to do something in the meantime especially if you have a dog.
Sounds to me like you and the neighbour need to sit down in front of a gardening book or the internet and look up ideas for hedging or climbers and reach consensus on what you both like.
I most definitely would never go for ivy. Too much maintenance for me and when it gets out of hand it really does become a thug and its then a pig to get rid of.
Thanks everyone for all your input, and thank you tetly for the plant list.
Lots of great ideas.
I dont know why my deeds say no fences, but yes it is for the rear garden too, and yes this is my back garden.
I realise chain link is a fence, but I feel growing something up it makes a good compromise and so I would contest any complaints immensely. Afterall, there are bits of chicken wire all along, that have been shoved into holes over the years, before I got here.
I like the idea of the climbers and shrubs. And I will look into beach.
Many thanks again!
I'm really surprised that the local authority has insisted on an item in your deeds that effectively gives you no control over your own boundaries - indeed, how do you know exactly where your boundary is? My first stop would be the planning department at the LA. It's not unusual for there to be restrictions at the front, for 'street scene' and visibility reasons, but not at the rear. How do you keep your neighbours' goat off your flowerbeds?
Its not really enough of an issue for me to have time to chase authorities about. I dont like fencing either.....
I'm just looking for a good boundary that is aesthetically pleasing, a very good screen for privacy, and will not need replacing.....
I think I have a lot to work with here, so thank you
wow! such a lot been said already. We had a problem with fencing blowing down every October, so replaced with a low chain link fence (that would keep the dog safe) and holly - mainly green, but some variegated. This has completely obscured the chain link and is a haven for birds as well as a wonderful backdrop to all other planting. Pruning/trimming is done in November/December, providing the base of several holly wreaths - and surplus is put in a box on the pavement outside with an invitation to "help yourself". It does not grow all that quickly, but should give you adequate cover inside three years. Choose several varieties carefully if you want berries as you need both a male and female plant.
yes, tetly, no goat or geese! I'd love them though!
Thanks gardening granny. Glad to hear from someone else who has had the same trouble as me and seen chain link as a sensible solution. I like making holly wreaths, but I'm not sure about it for the garden as I also have a baby and its a little harsh if you run into it. But its a great throught for the future.
Thanks for all the input guys!!