Masking a tall ugly wall

haarris

Parents have just moved house & theres a large ugly wall at the back, the wall extends further to the left (not visible). Currently has a Virginia creeper climbing up the wall. Cant decide whether to try and train the V.creeper into the areas its not currently grown into ie the middle of the photo or whether to start again. Suggestions would be great for either something else that would climb without trellis (evergreen?). Slightly nervous about using Ivy as this can damage walls. Another option would be to put a deep flower bed using sleepers infront of the wall and planting tall thin trees, while they wont "cover" the wall they would provide prettier view. Any though appreciated as I'm not a huge gardener myself.

Hostafan1

Welcome to the forum.
First question, who owns the wall and have they given permission for plants to be grown on it?

Hostafan1

Research by Oxford University and English Heritage contradicts the old chestnut that "ivy damages walls"  . Unless the mortar is loose, ( ie damaged already ) ivy actually has beneficial effects on walls, it sheds excess rain and helps moderate extremes of temperatures.

Fairygirl

Hi @haaris - it's a common query, and the truth is, it's almost impossible to hide a wall that size, unless you can plant attratcive climbers, and that depends on the owner as @Hostafan1 says.
It's often easier to create a screen or an alternative block of planting further into the garden - about a third of a way in from the back boundary is far enough. That way, the planting doesn't have to be so tall. Perspective 
You can then have a simple gateway/entrance/arch to the section at the back, and it also means you can have an area for hiding all the working stuff that gardens need. 

Obelixx

Where is the existing creeper growing from?  I think a feed at its roots will speed up its coverage of the wall.   otherwise you'll need to think about drilling holes to attach tensioned wires or trellis and that's a faff, especially to get them high enough.

There's plenty to get on with at ground level and scope to do as @Fairygirl suggests and erect a pergola or trellis screen just this side of that bed at the end to disguise the wall when they're working or playing in the garden.

haarris

Ooh some interesting suggestions, hadnt even thought of a screen 2/3 down the garden. The taller cement wall does not belong to my parents so cant drill into it. Any suggestions for some tall thin evergreen trees?

Dovefromabove

I find that tall verticals in such a situation draw the attention to the height of the wall. 

What that garden needs is horizontals 😊 

I’d make an attractive area for seats and entertaining with a pergola etc at the  far end of the garden, perhaps with a
bird KK table or birdbath or sculpture etc, so that draws your attention when viewed from the house ... and then when you’re using the entertaining area you’ll have your back to the wall and looking back at the house. 

You can make lovely beds and borders at that end to set off the rear of the house and give you a lovely view when sitting out with your backs to the wall. 

JAYJARDIN

on the plus side your folks have a lovely enclosed private area. I think I'd want to ask if I could paint the wall a cream colour so it wasn't so ugly.