Suggestions for plants to provide privacy

Discussion in 'NEW Gardeners !' started by Philbo, Mar 20, 2021.

  1. Philbo

    Philbo Apprentice Gardener

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    Hoping that some gardeners out there can provide some advice on how to make a quick and effective boundary for privacy.

    One side of our garden has a trellis type fence which doesn't provide any kind of privacy from next door. We're not antisocial, honest! However, I would like to be able to sit in the garden without having to make small talk.

    Ultimately, we plan to remove the shrubbery and install a fence but finances probably won't allow this year. Therefore, can anyone suggest a ready-made or at least fast-growing plant that I could use on that side to gain some privacy? Could be vines or even potted plants...suggestion welcome!
     
  2. JR

    JR Chilled Gardener

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    If you want cover this coming summer then Russian vine (mile a minute plant) or Virginia creeper. You could try grape vines or thornless blackberry.
    Cobaea scandens (cup and saucer plant) is a good one too and easier to get rid of in the future.
    All quick growing.
    Clematis montana is pretty if you can be a bit more patient.
     
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      Last edited: Mar 20, 2021
    • noisette47

      noisette47 Total Gardener

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      +1 for Cobaea scandens. Incredibly vigorous annual vine with purple or white flowers.
       
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      • Bradders

        Bradders Apprentice Gardener

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        Bamboo. Acts like a fence, but its a living organism and looks semi-exotic.

        Also buddleias if you want something more "European".
         
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        • shiney

          shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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          Russian Vine is good but you need to be careful as it can become very invasive. Not a problem if you only want it for a year or two.

          As an annual Cobaea scandens is a favourite of ours but it doesn't really get going until summer (being only an annual). Both you and the neighbour will love the flowers. Last year ours grew 15ft and is easily trained to run along the fence.

          Also very fast growing is Humulus lupulus (the common hop)

          Virginia Creeper.

          Clematis armandii.

          Clematis montana

          Fast growing flowering annuals

          Mina lobata - lovely flowers
          Sweet Peas - of course
          Canary Creeper
          Black-eyed- Susan
           
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          • Philbo

            Philbo Apprentice Gardener

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            Many thanks for the suggestions everyone. It sounds like Cobea Scandens could be the choice!
             
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            • JR

              JR Chilled Gardener

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              You won't be disappointed with cobaea... Easy to grow from seeds.. (they are large and easy to handle)
               
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              • shiney

                shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                When you start to train them along the fence you need to do as you see the need. They grow extremely quickly once started and their climbing feelers are very fine and grab extremely hard. That makes it difficult to remove them in order to move them elsewhere. They're the spiral bits in this picture.

                [​IMG]
                It helps if you soak the seeds overnight before sowing them. They prefer a sunny position which should be OK for you as you say it's an open trellis.

                You normally see the flowers as purple but when they first open they start off a very pale green and gradually change to purple. You don't need to deadhead them as the flowers drop off when finished and leave an attractive seed pod.
                 
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                • shiney

                  shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                  Some pictures I took last year

                  The colour they start off
                  P1500226.JPG

                  And as they are growing

                  The pollinators love them
                  P1490679.JPG

                  P1490957.JPG

                  P1490675.JPG

                  P1490592.JPG

                  When the flower drops off the seed pod starts to form
                  P1500229.JPG

                  And ends up like this
                  P1500231.JPG

                  P1500230.JPG

                  Unfortunately they almost never produce viable seeds as they tend to get rot inside because of the cold. These last photos were the end of November.
                   
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