Hanging plants from fence?

polr

I am desperately trying to cover over an ugly/see through fence in our back garden. I have planted things gwoing up the way (obviously!) but was thinking today that I could perhaps start with some coming down - attack from both angles so to speak. Problem is I don't know how to go about it (hanging baskets is my only idea) and I am unsure of plants (can only think of ivy). I've searched Pinterest but nothing is jumping out at me.

Is this a stupid idea or is it possible?

REEN

Would something like this do? http://www.selections.com/round-zinc-metal-balcony-hanging-pot-planter-by-fallen-fruits.html?gclid=CLDrgKePss4CFUU6GwodjS4Kxg

I got similar ones from Poundland but they don't seem to have them any more. I use them for herbs and salad leaves.

Smodlet

Wisteria would grow up one side and down the other, as would ivy, I should think.

If it is your fence, you could just replace it; if it is your neighbour's fence, it might be an idea to ask before you attach anything of any weight to it, in case you damage it. HTH.

I_have_spoken

Plenty of annuals and even tomatoes can tumble from a basket, but I can't recall anyone doing perennial planting that way.

It's a bit late in the season now for baskets anyway

For an 'instant' solution, what about a willow or bamboo fence roll? They are relatively inexpensive

Mojisola

polr wrote: »

I am desperately trying to cover over an ugly/see through fence in our back garden.

Problem is I don't know how to go about it (hanging baskets is my only idea)

Is it your fence? If not, don't hang anything on it without getting permission from the owner.

Have you thought about tall plants in tall pots? The pots can be high enough to cover half the fence and the plants will cover the rest.

If it is okay to hang pots or baskets on it, there are a range of ivies which would look good and are evergreen; vincas would be good; creeping jenny as well.

Davesnave

I'm going to go against the grain here and say, yes, it's a not a great idea.

Leaving out the issue of whose fence it is, the notion of dangling plants in pots on a fence and expecting them to behave as if they're in the ground is clearly not a good one. High up, being dessicated by the wind and sun, it's no wonder there are only a few plants that'll put up with that sort of thing.

Yes, I know there are hanging baskets and very high maintenance they are too, but often a hanging basket can obtain shelter from the house and it's size helps it not to dry out.

So, I'd go with the idea of tall plants in big pots or just fast growing plants that will soon cover a 1.8 m fence or trellis. e.g. clematis montana.

For this year, you could maybe staple some cheap fleece to the fence, if it's yours and you don't want it to be see -through.

I_have_spoken

WHat about going fashion forward with hanging kokedama (translation “moss ball”)? This is the practice of removing a root system from the plant's container, surrounding it in a mud cake, then wrapping the whole in moss before winding it in string.

polr

Thank you everyone.

To be honest I'm not sure who's fence it is. It's right on the border and is only there because the council uprooted a lovely hedge that was there after agreeing they wouldn't (council house behind us and they did their garden but didn't want to cut a hedge - admitted they did it in error and replaced it with a scabby, see through and much lower fence). As part of them fixing it we stipulated that the 'good side' had to face us - I'm not sure whether that's how you tell which is why I'm saying it.

To be honest the neighbours don't take care of their garden in the slightest so I don't think they would care/notice if we hung anything off it, my main aim is to stop them staring through and to hopefully create a barrier to the smell of their pot smoking!

We've put up a reed fence roll but it's not fantastic (teach me to buy a cheapie) but it's good enough for things to grip onto as they grow.

I'll check out the plants suggested and my FIL is giving us some pots so I might get a bamboo for them as I love the sound and it has good height etc but don't want it taking over.

Thank you again!

Davesnave

It's clear that if the council put in the fence, it belongs to them.

There's nothing to stop you reinstating a hedge on your side if you want one.

I would.

paddy's_mum

Climbing plants when in full leaf can be very heavy. Given that the reed roll is cheap and flimsy, one puff of wind and the whole lot will come down, plants and all.

Personally, I'd go with planting a hedge of your own or having bamboo in pots as you suggest. Just be aware that plants in pots will need a lot of watering through the drier months of the year.

If you go with the new hedge idea, don't go buying from a pricey garden centre unless the distance is small. You can get much better deals from the growers who advertise in the gardening magazines. I have used both Hopes Grove and Buckingham Nurseries in the past and been quite happy with them.