What do I do?

Gemma Hopkin

Hi All

looking for inspiration on what I can do with this hedge. We recently moved house. Is there anything I can grow up it to hide the bare bits to maintain privacy without killing the rest of the hedge? But still being able to trim the hedge? I’d ideally like to get rid of it and replace with another hedge type but it belongs to the opposite house and I don’t know if they are precious about it or anything, also the roots are huge and there are birds in there. The sun rises to the right of the photo and sets toward the left. Could I put a border in front? I’d be worried about my husband stamping on plants while he trimmed the hedge!

does anyone have any ideas? Thanks!

Obelixx

As it isn't yours you can't do much tho it does look as tho it's sick and dying and they may want to replace it on coming years.

I suggest you leave a 2' wide strip in front of it for your OH to trim it and then erect some trellis panels or even just posts with horizontals wires tensioned between at regular intervals - 12"/30cms - then dig a new bed in front and plant climbing plants to disguise it roses, clematis, honeysuckle etc.  Plant other stuff at their feet as ground cover and to extend seasonal interest with bulbs and a mix of perennials.

That way, you'll have something good to look at and which won't be wrecked or harmed when the neighbours finally do accept their hedge needs ripping out and replacing.

Dovefromabove

Obelixx ... I was going to write almost exactly that ... then I saw you'd already said it.

Another idea I thought of was a sort of pergola - walkway parallel with the hedge (with the gap you mentioned and joining the two paved areas) ... this sort of thing

Gemma Hopkin

Aaaah now that’s a good idea! I especially like that plants won’t get trampled. I did think about putting a border in front but was worried about plants being damaged and broken. Thank you very much!

David W

It looks like that hedge is growing into your garden through a chain link fence though I can’t tell how far it is through the fence.

i would assume that the fence is the actual garden border and that in theory the hedge is encroaching on your side of the garden. The deeds should say who is responsible for the fence, though it is a very low height fence which is probably why the hedge was planted in the first place. 

First thing I would do would would be to talk to the neighbour, they might not be precious about it and want a replacement planting, if they do it would save you unnecessary work in trying to disguise it. Talking is good. 

The ideas given above above are a good alternative however.

UpNorth

if you can't get rid and don't want to put too much effort in (maybe you do!) but if not, does anyone think growing some climbers up/through it, roughly where it's all brown and rubbish?  I'm not very good with climbers, but rose/clematis anyone?  Or some very upright shrubs in front of the bad bits, create your own beds/border on your land, just ahead of the neighbours monster!

Obelixx

The soil immediately under and around that hedge will be so impoverished and dry that roses and clems will never get going.   Also, it's clearly dying so they'd be damaged when it has to come out.   Best to create a decent bed at a distance and plant whatever she likes that suits the soil and aspect and will disguise/hide the ugly hedge.

Fire

You never know, your neighbour might hate the hedge...

Gemma Hopkin

But it belongs to him..! So if he didn’t like it, he can get rid of it

musmanali2020

I think you should grow the grass for the bare patches so that it provides an amazing look.