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Privacy problems
dan7925
Posts: 2
Hi,
I live on a corner plot and my garden is very open to houses in the side street. I have a 6 foot fence around my garden but this just isn't enough. Outside of the fence there is a metre wide shrub bed running the length of my garden (9m) which I'm responsible for. This has some established shrubs in it but they are only a few feet tall, I'm looking for advice as to what else I can plant in this area. I want something that's going to grow quickly with a minimum height of at least 10ft. Doesn't have to be an evergreen but wouldn't rule them out if that's the better option.
Any help would be very much appreciated.
Many thanks
0
Posts
Hi Dan
Welcome to the forum
Anything that grows to that height quickly is going to continue to grow at a fast rate and require a lot of maintenance - professional hedge trimming twice a year is expensive or doing it yourself requires ladders and good quality equipment as well as your time.
A solid hedge of that height may well cast a lot of shade into your garden (depending on the aspect) and could make being in your garden feel like being in a green box.
Our solution has been to have two ft trellis panels fitted above the fence - we are growing clematis and honeysuckles on them, but roses would do as well and provide an element of increased security as well.
Last edited: 30 January 2017 09:17:27
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Morning, I have a similar problem to you except I don't have a bed outside of the fence, just a public pavement. And like you I want plants that grow taller than the fence and wide too since there is a lot to cover. I agree with Dove From Above, you could have trellis or have you considered bamboo. I suppose it depends on what look you're after. I'm going to plant a hawthorn tree and lots of climbers and pyracantha as they are nice and prickly!!!!
Hi and thanks for the responses.
The fence is north facing so shade won't be an issue. As for the maintenance I'm fine with that, I would rather have the privacy even if I do have to cut it twice a year.
Many thanks
Dan
Bamboo will give extra height, but it's value as a screen is extremely limited. I had a bamboo covering an area approximately 10 ft x 4 ft and could still see straight through it.
The dreaded Leylandii would certainly create a fast growing screen, but would need regular cutting to keep it under control.
I think the trellis and climbers option would be the best, something that would grow like that would likely taje over the garden before you knew it. I also think the climbers would be a prettier option, and you could get scented ones to fill your garden with lovely aromas. A pergola or something of the sort could also be an option for privacy away from the fences, could also use climbers to fill that out, with dappled shade underneath.