cheapest privacy borders?

8 years ago

Hi all, our new house is a bit overlooked at the back and the main issue is in the far corner (see pic) where a couple of houses are very visible.

We want to add some sort of border all around the fence panels that is cheap (as we have little budget left to do the whole garden up) and will give a good height.
Not sure if there are restrictions but it won't block out the neighbour's light anyway as it's south facing.

Are we best adding say bamboo fencing to raise the height initially, with some evergreen fast growing plants/trees along the fence? What would you suggest?

It's mostly dark up against the fence for most of the day until the sun comes around full west so nothing that needs a lot of sun.

Thank you!

Featured Answer

embzop

8 years ago

If you are looking at a longer term option and having trees, I'm currently sourcing a standard arbutus unedo to provide similar privacy in my garden. It is quite small, evergreen and being a standard with a clear stem it won't take up much space in the garden. The only reason I didn't suggest it before is because it really doesn't come close to being a cheap option. It will grow to between 5 & 10 metres tall and can have a stem that is clear to the top of the fence. Apart from the price, it is perfect!

Not arbutus, but this give the general idea

Classico Patio · More Info

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Comments (29)

PRO
Bathroom & Kitchen Eleven
8 years ago
Hi

We planted bamboo to create privacy in our garden. They grew very fast and are always a vibrant green all year round - plus low maintenance so a great plus. However, if you do plant them ensure you put down root barrier either side of the border (your neighbours side and your garden side). As the roots spread fast and are quite shallow. Resulting in lifting paving. We learnt the hard way and had to retrospectively put barrier down - not an easy task when you have a narrow gap between plant & fence to dig a trench!

Shannon
Tani H-S
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi Shannon!

Yes I like bamboo and only ever had some in pots. Is it the wide growing variety you have?
Didn't realise about the root barrier so will make sure we look into that first
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You need to add some tall but "light" planting along the borders, ie nothing to dense. A mix of evergreen and deciduous would be good and get come climbers over the fences to distract from all the boundaries. Increasing the depth of both side borders and adding layers of planting and interest in the garden would help. And I would think about breaking up the garden with a trellis or pergola running the width of the garden half the way along, or adding a pergola to your house terrace, as this will make it feel more enclosed. A parasol does the same job but only in the summer months.
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Hi Kerry E I would definitely agree with the comments made so far about being wary of planting tree near walls. Looking at your photo, I cant tell if it is a dry stone wall or mortared - it looks tall, so presumably the latter. My thoughts would be: Legally the wall can only be 1.8m high, so for any climbers to make a difference you would need to add a trellis, which would require agreement from the neighbor. You might consider just parking in the front as you could then remove the drive. This would enable you to plant further away from the wall. You can put down 'Root Protection Membrane' to a depth of 600-1200mm when you plant. This would stop any roots going under the wall and also then drawing water out from underneath and potentially shrinking the soil there. A variety of hedges are a good option. You can buy pretty tall specimens on-line or from specialist nurseries. If you buy in Oct/Nov it is cheaper as they can be rootball rather than pot grown. If you plant a hedge water it a lot the first year or two and don't forget to feed it in an ongoing way. Using Pleached trees is an option, but they are not that cheap and you have to learn how to prune them to keep the shape (not difficult, but you need a good ladder). Don't buy something that is fast growing! That way leads to lots of hard work keeping it under control. Remember the Leylandii issues! Also avoid bamboo - even clump forming varieties. A pergola or similar construction there would add to the feel of privacy. Good luck and happy gardening! Peter
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I think a small-medium tree would create a bit of privacy and some height to the border then you can plant underneath it. Trees that are easy are the Rowan (Sorbus), Hawthorn, Cornus kousa and Cornus florida and Crabapple. All have lovely blossom In the spring or summer. Shrubs that prefer some, or full, shade are things like Japanese Acers, Viburnum tinus (evergreen), Skimmia, Camellias and Rhododendrons (must have acid soil), Choisya ternata Sundance (evergreen). You can underplant with ferns, Bergenia, Dicentra specabilis, Anemones. Bulbs such as snowdrops, bluebells and lily of the valley like shady woodland type conditions. if you want a longer list, search on the RHS website for shade loving plants, the list is huge! THE TALL PURPLE TREE IS A JAPANESE ACER AS IS THE LITTLE PURPLE SHRUB AT THE FRONT, UNDERPLANTED WITH FERNS AND BRUNERRA HYDRANGEAS PREFER SHADE BUT THEY NEED LOTS OF WATER FERNS AND BRUNNERA JACK FROST
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embzop
8 years ago
There is alot of useful information on the RHS website about planting bamboo and how to put in a barrier for the roots. It is worth having having a look at the website:

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=79

Do the trees have to be evergreen? There are some lovely, small, narrow trees if you can have deciduous trees.

Cherry tree Amanogawa is gorgeous and only grows to about 5 metres. Liquidambar 'Slender Silhouette' grows to about 6 metres. Both are narrow trees.
PRO
Jackson Interior Design
8 years ago
Having spent 4 hours of my Sunday digging up a bamboo I planted 8 years ago I would avoid like the plague - root barriers only work if they are metal! Try a hornbeam hedge - grows fast, retains leaves in winter and if you buy young whips is as cheap as chips as long as you have the patience to wait.
Tani H-S
Original Author
8 years ago
Nightmare re your bamboo!

Will check out the one you mentioned, thank you.

- yes I would prefer evergreen so we always have privacy and also something nice to look at it winter when the garden is drab
I don't mixing a few blossoming trees in between but I don't want to leave sparse cover.

Plenty of space for other annuals and perennials in the other areas and down the near side.
PRO
Landbasedesign Landscape Architecture
8 years ago
Hello Tani,
Many evergreen shrubs are slower to grow, but if you want to avoid bamboo as it can cause issue with the shoots spreading outside of your land, the good option is semi-evergreen private hedge ( Ligustrum vulgare or Ligustrum ovalifolium ). You can buy them cheaply as whips or in pots if you want get them already taller. They tend to keep the leaves in mild winters of south UK and support wildlife. Once you get them to the required height, they can be clipped to shape.
embzop
8 years ago
How about an evergreen climbing plant such as Clematis Armandii. It is fast growing and would be cheap. You could grow it on trellis attached to the fence or use ropes like the one below. Depending on the variety of Clematis you could have flowers in winter or spring.

Traditional garden with timber and rope detail · More Info
A B
8 years ago
I'm not sure bamboo would be tall enough as the houses are higher. I think I'd look into planting a mature tree and accept it wont give perfect cover
Gabby Wong
8 years ago
If you like the bamboo idea, you could still plant it in narrow decorative boxes to help avoid the root issue..
Tani H-S
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks everyone. Might have to consider mature trees to get the height in the worst part (maybe the far corner) and look at the other options suggested.
I like clematis but it won't give the coverage like taller trees would - unless we add a raised fence panel to the tops and grew it along that.

Do you think it would look odd having a higher fence and would we need to ask the neighbour's first as they will see it from their side as well?

Another thought is some sort of pergola/sun room with a roof in the far corner which might give more privacy
Tani H-S
Original Author
8 years ago
I have been researching bamboo and there are a couple of varieties that are clump forming ie that don't need a barrier as they don't send out roots :o)

Fargesia Nitida is one which grows up to 3.5m tall. Just thought I would update this in case anyone reads it!

Will let you know what we go for as not sure that would even be tall enough to hide us, ha ha
Helen C
8 years ago
I have a similar issue in my garden although the building behind me is only single story. The aspect is the same as well. So I’d be keen to hear other options to bamboo. I had been looking at a row of Italian cypress trees but I think they need sun. I am on the verge of hiring a landscape architect as I know nothing about gardening so if I pursue this I’ll let you know what they recommend!!
Tani H-S
Original Author
8 years ago
Oo yes, please let me know Campo.
I've just emailed a plant company to ask for their advice as well.

We are overlooked by 2 storey so I'm not sure what will work. We can build the soil up at the back to raise the plants though as it slopes anyway, and that should give us more height.
Tani H-S
Original Author
8 years ago
The garden people replied and said that the best non invasive bamboo would actually be robusta Campbell- which is fast growing, low maintenance, good winter colours and can go as high as 15ft! Eek.
The next best one is robusta pingwu.

The previous one I mentioned they said is slower and better in pots.
minnie101
8 years ago
Hi Tani. We had the same issue in our last house. We had a pergola towards the back fence with climbers etc and planted cypress in the top right hand corner. I’m clueless about gardening but although the garden was south facing, the cypress corner was in shade. I kill pretty much every plant but they flourished (I didn’t plant them myself though, lol!) and they grew really quickly although not the cheapest tree. Just looking at the windows, it appears as if you’d just need something on the rhs as it looks as if the bathroom ones are frosted?
Tani H-S
Original Author
8 years ago
Oo I will check the windows out - can't see them from upstairs probably as not loft window that side so will zoom in on my camera

I've had Cyprus trees but only in pots and I managed to kill those as well, ha ha. Will check them out though as they might do better in the ground

Got mostly palm trees I brought with me in pots from our move but two have died already with the cold weather and they just don't grow tall enough.
minnie101
8 years ago
Lol, if you start doing that your neighbours may save you the expense of planting!

They may be worth looking at, they always made me feel as if I was on holiday! I’ve only had a quick look but they seem to tolerate partial shade but need well drained soil although ours was clay!

That’s a shame, plants are so dear too. I had palms in my last garden too but it’s probably a bit warmer where I am

the robusta sound good anyway
Dee Cee
8 years ago
We planted black clump bamboo as we were overlooked at our last house. It grew to over 8ft, gave great coverage and never became a problem with roots. Would definitely recommend it as it remained green, sounded wonderful in the wind and never appeared imposing.
Tani H-S
Original Author
8 years ago
Yes the price is a massive factor. Will google those though for comparison.
User
8 years ago
Thanks for the info Tani very helpful. We are not overlooked but are considering having bamboo in oak sleepers (landscape gardener’s suggestion) when we build a slightly raised new patio. I am also useless at looking after plants....I have a healthy looking hanging basket hanging in the porch that lasted the entire winter. It’s fake. LOL.
Pankaj Bhansali
8 years ago
Has anyone considered Jasmine climber plant to cover trellis on the fence for privacy?
Tani H-S
Original Author
8 years ago
@LTS ha ha, we also had fake planters at our old house
I have fake bamboo inside the house as well for the darker rooms as a lot of plants end up dying as I forget about them
Helen C
8 years ago
Tani I just came across this article. It seemed useful as it names lots of different plants/trees. https://www.hgtv.com/design/outdoor-design/landscaping-and-hardscaping/evergreens-for-privacy. My issue has been the lack of sunlight in the corner where I need to plant the privacy trees but this article suggests they will still grow just not as quickly.
Catrine
8 years ago
Really interested in this as I have the same problem. Are you actually allowed to plant high plants above a neighbors fence? We have some difficult neighbors!
Gabby Wong
8 years ago
Catrine - you’re allowed to plant anything you want to in your own garden, as long as it’s on your side of the fence they can’t stop you.
Catrine
8 years ago
Thanks Gabby that’s great to know!
embzop
8 years ago
@Catrine - I'm not sure where you live but if it is in England there are restrictions on what you can grow. Tall trees over 2 metres and evergreen are referred to as 'high hedges'. There is a good, easy to read guide on the Royal Horticultural Society website:

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=408

If you only plant 1 tree you can plant whatever you like (although be wary of plants with spreading roots that may cause damage).
Gabby Wong
8 years ago
@embzop that’s really interesting- I didn’t know that! Although it does make sense..
nice to know it doesn’t include bamboo tho!
Makes me think that we really do need to trim our conifers (it’s been on the list to do for a while - they’re definitely way over 2m! Although our neighbours have never mentioned it!)
@catrine - sorry for the misinformation.. you do still have the right to plant what you like! But if they’re awkward they may get fussy about the height!

cheapest privacy borders?

embzop

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Bathroom & Kitchen Eleven

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