Hedge for privacy and a bit of shelter, or climbing plants on the fence?

Gold crest conifers grow quick and can be shaped,
March 2015


May 2016



This time next year they should be around 4ft.

 

If it were me I'd do the willow fencing for instant impact and then grow whatever you like in front of it. If you plant a hedge in front of the fencing and keep the height down then it's not likely to overhang her garden, so one less thing for her to complain about (and it does sound like she might complain about having to cut the hedge on her side).

In terms of what to plant, you could have one plant variety (I like Prunus Lusitanica or good old Privet, which smells lovely if you let it flower) or you could have a row of plants for a more informal hedge which you would have to trim a lot less.

If you've got a dog you need to keep in you'll need something at the bottom of the hedge anyway - we had one in our previous house and the german shepherd still managed to crawl under it, so we had to get a small fence installed in front of it, but if you are going to leave the chicken wire in place along the bottom then that would do the job, so long as the blighter isn't going to try digging under it.

 

Thanks, merleworld! I might invest in some willow yet.

Is the screening held together with bits of wire any good? It looks convenient.

 

Yes it is - that's the stuff I use in my garden. I've had mine up now for a couple of years - it still looks good. The colour changes with time - it dulls down - and seems to blend into the background.

I've planted cherry laurel as a hedge - you can buy 2m high x 1m wide shrubs for about £40 each - had them trimmed 'square' last year - the hedge now looks like it's been there for years .

 

I would say Privet is one of the best hedging plants available, it is evergreen/semi evergreen. It grows quite fast, it is easy to keep in shape and has a mass of highly scented white flowers.

 

If youre going down the hedge route I`d be inclined to plant it at least 2foot from the fence. This way you can prune the neighbours side so it doesnt grow onto her side of the border. You can prune it right at the right time of the year and not have her hack at it when it begins to grow over the border.
As said I`d tel her what your doing and why so theres no falling out. Afterall you will be blocking her light.
BTW beech hedges are good.Wildlife loves mine,nothing to eat but places to hide and frolick.

 

Except don't plant it alongside a wooden fence because it will push against that fence as it grows.