Ugly fencing

suzyq66

Can anyone suggest what to do with eyesore.  Originally there were six leylandi trees in my garden which had got out of control and was killing everything in front of it. So l decided to have them taken down. Within a few weeks the neighbour behind me had half of this monstrosity fence erected, l had choice but to copy it as it would have looked ridiculous any smaller. So now I'm left looking at this every time l look out of my kitchen window. lm not sure what to do in front of the fencing, perhaps a rockery.  But initially l need to do something with covering that fence. Obviously something climbing?  l was thinking some sort of tallish hedging?  But thought that might push the fence over gradually?  Unfortunately the fencing runs all along the back of the shed too. One of the views is from a bedroom window. Is there an climber that would stay green in winter and flower in summer that wouldn't grow too profusely as l did want something low maintenance. Thanks

Hortum-cretae

The photos are a little off-putting, but I stood on my head. You're right, not the most appealing of boundaries!  What I would suggest is a thorough preparation of the ground all along and then I would use a mix of shrubs, some evergreen, plus a small tree (deciduous) to break up the line.  Suggest pittosporums, photinia, elaeagnus, philadelphus, osmanthus, physocarpus - things like that, to give you a mix of foliage and some flower all year.

H-C

Obelixx

Fencing can be an opportunity to grow attractive climbers but if you don't own it, you do need permission to attach supports.   Better, in your case, to erect your own posts inside the fence, leaving a space for aeration.  The posts can then support traditional wooden trellis panels if you like but my preference would be panels of iron mesh that builders use for reinforcing concrete.  It come in panels 5m long by 2m high and is cheap and indestructible and discreet.   You'll need to buy some wire cutters and some brackets to attach it to support posts.

I would then grow a repeat flowering, scented rambling roses such as one or two of these - http://www.davidaustinroses.com/eu/popular-searches/repeat-flowering-rambling-roses they need little maintenance beyond dead-heading once planted well.   Not evergreen but will provide good cover and a long flowering season.

You could add an evergreen, winter-flowering clematis such as Wisley Cream or Freckles to extend the season.  This only needs tidying up to keep it within bounds after flowering and, of course, new grwth training in but that's a quick job.