Garden screen - willow, bamboo or reed?

7 years ago

As you can see, our garden is really exposed to our next-door neighbour, & our windows look directly onto each other! I really want some privacy, but dont want to block out the light. As you can see, i tried growing climbers up the trellis but it hasnt worked out...

Im thinking of buying a roll of screen - in willow, bamboo or reed - to cover the trellis above the wall, but Im not sure which to get, & where to find a quality one.

Any advice would be welcome :-)

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Comments (5)

PRO
User
7 years ago
Hi Mcpeeple,
What did you go for in the end? I produce a product for just this problem. (I had the same issue in my garden in London!!). Would love to hear what you did in the end and see what you think of my solution..

Here's a picture of one that gives good privacy but still lets in a fair bit of light..
PRO
Eliza Gray Gardens
7 years ago
I love the screen above!

I also sometimes use 'hit and miss' fencing such as this one on the right hand side from Jackson's fencing. Here is is hiding some LPG gas containers!
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Thanks very much for the suggestions. I think we might go for willow screening for a short term fix & if we like it, could be the answer until the fence needs replaced. It would also help disguise the current lack of symmetry if we cover the whole fence. Bamboo is an interesting suggestion but I'm a bit concerned about my ability to keep it under control. Definitely one for me to think about, as it could look great if I get it right.
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Good idea to think options - deflection or reduction. Trying to deflect the wind is tricky, the roller idea sounds fine but I agree with the other comment - it's a sail and our experience is not positive. Plus you'll get eddies or capture the wind when in the wrong direction. Why not complement your bamboos with screening from the same material. Or reeds. You can cut it easily (rolled up if you want to reduce height) or wire snips for length. Very cheap and you can paint it to suit. This will do well on the absorption and you can always double layer it on the prevailing wind face. To break up wind flow further in height terms - I'd go for palm in a barrel. Leaves are designed to to give in the wind but there are enough to break up the flow. Scaffold net will give you greater than 80% absorption so effectively it's a screen with disadvantages above. It will flap noisily unless you tie it in multiple places. Your cube an be held down firmly with hessian sandbags, inside and attached with elastic cord. Good luck! Iain
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Hi Chris, You've had a lot of good advice given to you already! Just a couple of considerations to bear in mind: You dont necessarily need to have a screen by the rear fence (as you are planning to have an outbuilding there, which will already be private and covered anyway). You can screen the areas that you want more privacy in (usually your seating areas) with screening around it. And in this case, screening can take many forms: a pergola with climbers on top, small trees or other plants such as bamboo. Bamboo is great as it gives you a lot of height without occupying a huge area. BUT THEY ARE INVASIVE! So make sure that you get a clumping variety (as was already said here) AND also make sure that you plant them with a suitable barrier at least 1m deep in the ground around their rhyzome system, as even the clumping ones, if planted on the ground without barriers can spread to your immediate neighbour (another alternative would be to plant them in big troughs and not on the ground). And yes, pleached trees do require a degree maintenance to keep their shape (as was already mentioned here). In London it is very probable that you are in heavy clay soil area. In this case, it is very important to be careful with planting trees very close to the house because their roots are more prone to cause subsidence than in other soils. If you need any further help, I offer a range of online garden design services from sketches and planting plans only to full on garden plans with 3D visuals. Please dont hesitate to have a look at my website to see my portfolio and get in touch. All the best, Deborah The Rooted Concept Garden Designs
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PRO
User
7 years ago
Thank you Eliza! We use them for similar things, trying to hide all the stuff don't want to see outside!!
PRO
Garden Design Guru
7 years ago
All of the screening types you mentioned can have quite a limited life span. Willow often only lasts 2 to 3 years before it is too brittle and beaks into small pieces. Bamboo will last longer and costs less than Willow. I would say it that it looks a bit foreign in an English Garden though.

I don't have any doubt that the best value for money would be the Reeded Screen. How long it will last will depend on how much sun it gets but it is the lowest cost of these options if you compare the same sized panels. It's also the easiest to install with some wire ties.

There is a company called Primrose which I believe is on Houzz and otherwise will be easily found on the internet https://www.primrose.co.uk/
gnomehome123
7 years ago
My friend did hazel hurdles from a local supplier and maker and it looked lovely.

Garden screen - willow, bamboo or reed?

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Eliza Gray Gardens

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