Thank you all - some great advice here! I'm pretty sure the fence can't go above 1m height as it borders a 'public highway' (albeit only parking for 10 houses). I did think I could probably get away with adding a 2ft trellis to the existing low fence, start planting some shrubs, climbers etc and if anyone ever complained the plants might be a decent height by then?!
The idea behind the privet was to use as a backdrop to more interesting plants - not to use it on its own but I like the idea of mixing it with roses, evergreen honeysuckle, ivy, bamboo etc if it doesn't look too messy. On the other hand, if the boys (7, 5 and 2) are going to be tearing around this garden and kicking balls into my shrubs, perhaps I should keep it simple! We do have a small back garden, where I'm hoping to get more creative with plants and to introduce a beautiful oasis of calm so the front needs to be fairly maintenance free (although I'm also planning an area for raised veg beds at the front, which you can't see in the photos). I'd also love to plant a sunflower fence, maybe while everything else establishes...?
I love the orange firethorn but had ruled that out on account of the thorns. Similarly, I had been warned against Russian vine but thanks for the suggestions. Keep 'em coming!
Oh.... privet and be done with it (with planting in front - not without its challenges, I realise) or trellis and mixed shrubs and tall flowers??
The neighbours have a variety of mainly conifer and laurel shrubs but nothing particularly tall or screening (other than the tree overhanging our garden - can't remember what it is but I look forward to the leaves appearing). The boundary between our gardens is box, which I'm trying to revive at the base after the previous residents blocked gaps up with bits of chairs and other rubbish!
You could always erect posts and wires or trellis inside you existing boundary and leaving a mowing strip for access. If you plant group 3 clematis they just need an easy cutting back to about 93 every Feb/March. Honeysuckle can be left to sprawl and just needs trimming to keep in bounds. An occasional evergreen such as pyracantha will extend seasonal interest - all a lot less work than keeping a hedge well trimmed.
I have successfully used builders' wire mesh (for reinforcing concrete) as trellis panels. Cheap, almost invisible on is own, an excellent support for climbing plants and would not break when slammed by a football but would stop it flying into the road and risking your kids' safety.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
hedges are good ideas but by the time they provide a good screen your children will have grown past that points hedges are good ideas but by the time they provide a good screen your children will have grown past that point.
the idea of erecting five/six foot trellis inside your boundary but away from the existing fence seems a quicker option. If you buy the trellis with closeframework it will give you an instant cover even before the climbing plants have got underway.
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
We bought pieces you can use for securing small pipes to walls - half inch semi circular hoops with a flange either side with a hole for screwing. Put the hoop diagonally across a join in th mesh to attach them to posts. The mesh we used was 5m x 2m so three posts per length and the joins hidden on the far side of the post. The beauty of this simple system is that you can bend the wire mesh round a path or bed.
If you want to be fancier for a structure inside the garden - and I do next time - lay the mesh on the ground next to 4" wide posts and mark where each horizontal bar will sit then drill a 1/4" hole about an inch to 1.5" deep. Erect the posts at suitable distances for a snug fit and then slot the bars into the holes. Should be very sturdy if posts done at say 1.5 to 2m intervals.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Maybe, so I shall probably tie them with wire too, wrapped round the first vertical bits of mesh and the post. It'll be hidden by the climbers. My current plan is to make a sheltered outside eating and cooking area so we can enjoy sunsets over a glass or two so I need it to look good and not just be functional.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Ooo, what about a living willow hedge/fedge?! I could build a living den for the kids in the bottom left corner...
Thanks to you guys, I have been successfully talked out of the privet hedge and I'm so excited by the numerous possibilities. Planning to take the random line of mixed shrubs and trees route with some trellis/builders wire mesh thrown in for good measure.
Sorry if this is a stupid question but why do a couple of you advise erecting the trellis away from the existing fence? Couldn't I just add a couple of feet of trellis to the top of the existing fence?? Ah, is this because of the possible 1m limit...?
Posts
Thank you all - some great advice here! I'm pretty sure the fence can't go above 1m height as it borders a 'public highway' (albeit only parking for 10 houses). I did think I could probably get away with adding a 2ft trellis to the existing low fence, start planting some shrubs, climbers etc and if anyone ever complained the plants might be a decent height by then?!
The idea behind the privet was to use as a backdrop to more interesting plants - not to use it on its own but I like the idea of mixing it with roses, evergreen honeysuckle, ivy, bamboo etc if it doesn't look too messy. On the other hand, if the boys (7, 5 and 2) are going to be tearing around this garden and kicking balls into my shrubs, perhaps I should keep it simple! We do have a small back garden, where I'm hoping to get more creative with plants and to introduce a beautiful oasis of calm so the front needs to be fairly maintenance free (although I'm also planning an area for raised veg beds at the front, which you can't see in the photos). I'd also love to plant a sunflower fence, maybe while everything else establishes...?
I love the orange firethorn but had ruled that out on account of the thorns. Similarly, I had been warned against Russian vine but thanks for the suggestions. Keep 'em coming!
Oh.... privet and be done with it (with planting in front - not without its challenges, I realise) or trellis and mixed shrubs and tall flowers??
The neighbours have a variety of mainly conifer and laurel shrubs but nothing particularly tall or screening (other than the tree overhanging our garden - can't remember what it is but I look forward to the leaves appearing). The boundary between our gardens is box, which I'm trying to revive at the base after the previous residents blocked gaps up with bits of chairs and other rubbish!
Oh I just want to get on with it!! :-D
You could always erect posts and wires or trellis inside you existing boundary and leaving a mowing strip for access. If you plant group 3 clematis they just need an easy cutting back to about 93 every Feb/March. Honeysuckle can be left to sprawl and just needs trimming to keep in bounds. An occasional evergreen such as pyracantha will extend seasonal interest - all a lot less work than keeping a hedge well trimmed.
I have successfully used builders' wire mesh (for reinforcing concrete) as trellis panels. Cheap, almost invisible on is own, an excellent support for climbing plants and would not break when slammed by a football but would stop it flying into the road and risking your kids' safety.
hedges are good ideas but by the time they provide a good screen your children will have grown past that points hedges are good ideas but by the time they provide a good screen your children will have grown past that point.
the idea of erecting five/six foot trellis inside your boundary but away from the existing fence seems a quicker option. If you buy the trellis with closeframework it will give you an instant cover even before the climbing plants have got underway.
We bought pieces you can use for securing small pipes to walls - half inch semi circular hoops with a flange either side with a hole for screwing. Put the hoop diagonally across a join in th mesh to attach them to posts. The mesh we used was 5m x 2m so three posts per length and the joins hidden on the far side of the post. The beauty of this simple system is that you can bend the wire mesh round a path or bed.
If you want to be fancier for a structure inside the garden - and I do next time - lay the mesh on the ground next to 4" wide posts and mark where each horizontal bar will sit then drill a 1/4" hole about an inch to 1.5" deep. Erect the posts at suitable distances for a snug fit and then slot the bars into the holes. Should be very sturdy if posts done at say 1.5 to 2m intervals.
Doing it that way. If they were planted with climbers would they not flex in strong winds and pop out?
Maybe, so I shall probably tie them with wire too, wrapped round the first vertical bits of mesh and the post. It'll be hidden by the climbers. My current plan is to make a sheltered outside eating and cooking area so we can enjoy sunsets over a glass or two so I need it to look good and not just be functional.
Ooo, what about a living willow hedge/fedge?! I could build a living den for the kids in the bottom left corner...
Thanks to you guys, I have been successfully talked out of the privet hedge and I'm so excited by the numerous possibilities. Planning to take the random line of mixed shrubs and trees route with some trellis/builders wire mesh thrown in for good measure.
Now to fine tune the plant list...
Currently being considered:
Bamboo
Hydrangea limelight
Eucalyptus gunnii
Cotinus coggygria Smoke bush
Pittosporum
Mexican orange blossom
Griselinia
Lilac
Lonicera
Honeysuckle
Clematis
Trachelospermum Jasminoides - Evergreen Jasmine
Wild privet
Zéphirine Drouhin rose?
Acer griseum
Crab apple/ornamental cherry
Sorry if this is a stupid question but why do a couple of you advise erecting the trellis away from the existing fence? Couldn't I just add a couple of feet of trellis to the top of the existing fence?? Ah, is this because of the possible 1m limit...?