Another hedge question

auntymabel

Probably a silly question, but here goes.

I want to grow a hedge or bushes against a chain link fence for privacy but want to work out how to make sure the branches don't grow over my neighbours' side.

Do I just take plant them half the wdith shown on the plant label away from the fence?

Biggles

Plant them just your side of the fence and allow your neighbour to trim them on his side as and when he likes.

If you planted them (say) two feet away, you'd be reducing the size of your garden for no good reason and the branches would eventually reach through the fence anyway.

Davesnave

Not a silly question at all, but a tricky one, because we don't know what the intended planting is, or even whether the OP likes her neighbour.

Regardless of these things, in the long term, the OP will be giving that neighbour extra work, and it may not be terribly easy work either if it's a 50' hedge! Couple that to the fact that hitting a chain link fence with a hedgetrimmer will, eventually, lead to a smashed gearbox and there's another issue.....I speak from experience.

But chain link fences belong to the Waynetta school of garden design, so perhaps the elimination of the thing could be the long term aim for both parties. Another problem then - who owns it?

Yes, more problems than answers here, but maybe that's because I have a neighbour who has leylandii growing through a sheep fence on one of my boundaries. The stems are about 3mm from it. That suits me fine just now, but one day.... Leyland cypress doesn't grow back from old wood....:D

auntymabel

Thanks for your replies. I am on good terms with my neighbour and woudn't want to change that. I think I might go for some tall perennials along the fence and possibly a gazebo near the house.

Eenymeeny

auntymabel wrote: »

Thanks for your replies. I am on good terms with my neighbour and woudn't want to change that. I think I might go for some tall perennials along the fence and possibly a gazebo near the house.

I had gaps between the deciduous shrubs that were already planted between my neighbour and myself. I decided that privacy in summer was more important to me so I've planted tall grasses, which seem more friendly and give a changing outlook?

Davesnave

The only problem with tall perennials is that they are only around and being tall for about 6 months of the year, while shrubs can be there all the time.

I wan't saying don't plant shrubs, just countering Biggles suggestion of planting them close to the boundary because they would "reduce the size of your garden." That's illogical: they would be part of your garden.

Some hedging is slow, but well behaved, like Osmanthus burkwoodii. Then there are fastigiate shrubs/trees too that grow upwards more than out, like narrow hornbeams or juniper Skyrocket. The ultimate narrow screen is probably bamboo, but it travels underground and pops up next door, unless you choose the right variety.

I have used the tall perennials and shrubs in my garden as screening while the outer hedges grow. The best hedge IMO is yew, and it's taking a bit of time, but 5 years to a decent, well-behaved barrier seems OK to me.

Biggles

Davesnave wrote: »

I wan't saying don't plant shrubs, just countering Biggles suggestion of planting them close to the boundary because they would "reduce the size of your garden." That's illogical: they would be part of your garden.

Of course; I was just saying that they would be a part of your garden that you were no longer able to use. Also, if, years or decades hence, the fence fell down and wasn't replaced, the hedge could become used as the boundary; that actually would reduce your garden.

Davesnave

Biggles wrote: »

Also, if, years or decades hence, the fence fell down and wasn't replaced, the hedge could become used as the boundary; that actually would reduce your garden.

Well, yes....and no.

You're right that in the real world, boundaries do appear to 'move like that through carelessness and lack of vigilance over a considerable time, but the legal boundary doesn't move. Sometimes the difficulty is just proving where it is, or was, when there are no reference points on the ground. Title plans often aren't much help.

At my previous house, a neighbour created a pedestrian access behind an 8' thick hedge without the hedge owner knowing, but the best that could be hoped-for was a prescriptive easement. The boundary was very obviously still where it always was, and neither of the present-day owners had any idea when the incursion occrred.

What's most important, and much easier these days, is to take photos, preferably with something that dates them, (though the exif data does that too) before changing anything on a boundary.

auntymabel

I like the idea of fastigiate shrubs - a new word for me! Not sure about grasses. Wouldn't they be inclined to spread? Although co-incidently I saw some tall grasses grown in tubs for screening earlier today on Pinterest which looked quite effective. But then there's the watering.

Davesnave

Some grasses don't spread too far or fast.

OTOH I was once given a miscanthus by my mother in law, and that needed a pick axe, wrecking bar and around 3 000 calories to extricate......long after I'd killed it!

The variety is crucial. I now have a well behaved one.

Sadly, some fastigiate trees/shrubs are much more expensive, like Dawyk Beech, but others, like hornbeams, (I paid £10) are reasonable. Just have to shop around and buy in the bare root season.

sheramber

Have you considered climbers?
You could plant climbing or rambling roses , honeysuckle,clematis montana, jasmine would all scramble over the fence and not be too much burden for your neighbour. who may aprreciate them as well.