Our garden boundary, what are my rights?

ThisIsWeird

mi-key said:

IvyFlood said:

jvjack said:

 Frustrating to say least.  IvyFlood   Completeley see your prediciment.
Cant see in pic if that portch allows owner to walk in to it from outside either garden or other way.

Edit: just mentioned it as i saw an episode of American show Columbo where they blew up photo and more info made a difference. 

Yes, there are doors at either end and one in the middle (inside)

Back to your original problem, I would plant something like tall ferns, something whispy that would let light through the foliage to their window, but would also block out pretty much any sort of view they may have. This would also provide you with the privacy

A very nice idea. Much better for them to have dappled green outside their windows than a solid fence. It would be a thoughtful and considerate thing to do. 

If they complain, then it's a matt black fence... Kiddingish.

Alnat1

Whatever is planted needs to be evergreen, probably shrubs. Anything "ferny" is likely to die down in winter.

mi-key

Alnat1 said:

Whatever is planted needs to be evergreen, probably shrubs. Anything "ferny" is likely to die down in winter.

There are quite a lot  of evergreen ferns that could be suitable. The other option is a trellis with something like evergreen clemaitis on it

YoungBlueEyes

If it was me I'd do this - 

Say to neighbour "hi neighbour, gawd can you believe it's been a year?! Anyway I'm getting the garden into line come the Spring but I don't know what to do about the privacy - you know, with your window being right there....." and see if they fill in the silence..... With a bit of luck they might say "gawd we're never in there so it doesn't matter. Throw a big fence up for all I care." Or mention that you're thinking of putting a tall trellis there to grow some roses up. They might say "urgh roses are so old fashioned, would you not plant honeysuckle, I love the smell of honeysuckle".

Then before the ink's dry run out and buy aforementioned trellis and a lovely thick fragrant honeysuckle  

You've gotta be a friend to get a friend. 

IvyFlood

Hi everyone

Can't thank you enough for all your replies! Below photo is where we're at today! My plan is to extend the rockery wall round and then along and plant bamboo. 

I have approached the neighbours and told them my plans/thoughts. They said that was fine, infact they said it was good because it gets very hot in there and my planting will provide them a bit of shade. I asked them what they thought of it and they said they like it cause its great for their dogs (they have 3 golden doodles). But then after about 10 minutes, the wife of the couple came back out and asked would she still be able to open the windows. I replied yes but in reality I want the bamboo to grow taller than the windows! But she should still be able to open them anyway. They were obviously discussing it indoors!

So, I've been doing lots of reading about bamboo and it would be the clumping variety I'd need to plant as the running kind can wreck havoc. I would have done a wooden planter but when we removed all the soil away, the foundations are very bumpy with bits sticking out that it wouldn't have sat flush and the area of all would still be visible and looks a bit unsightly as you can see.

I should be ok planting direct into the ground? 

Eldi_Dos

Once you have completed all your groundworks get a large trough type plastic planter, put some drain holes in it place it far enough from window so it can still be opened and cleaned.

Put layer of gravel in trough and plant up with screening plants.

To finish off create a wooden framework in front of planter similar to fence and paint both the same.
If at a later date anything changes easy enough to rearrange.

IvyFlood

Eldi_Dos said:

Once you have completed all your groundworks get a large trough type plastic planter, put some drain holes in it place it far enough from window so it can still be opened and cleaned.

Put layer of gravel in trough and plant up with screening plants.

To finish off create a wooden framework in front of planter similar to fence and paint both the same.
If at a later date anything changes easy enough to rearrange.

I had planned to plant straight into the ground?

Eldi_Dos

One of the main reasons I suggested a plastic trough style planter is that it would contain the rhizomes if you plant bamboo and make management easier.

IvyFlood

Eldi_Dos said:

One of the main reasons I suggested a plastic trough style planter is that it would contain the rhizomes if you plant bamboo and make management easier.

I read its only the running varieties that have the invasive rhizomes. I was planning on using the clumping variety but youve got me worried now! I suppose I could place a plastic trough behind my stone wall but would the roots not go through the drainage holes?

Eldi_Dos

I have no practical experience of growing bamboo so this is only my thoughts.

I would think the roots would seek out water through the drain holes, but the plant uses rhizomes to spread the plant, hence it would be easier to manage in a container, albeit a large one.

Would Pampas grass appeal as a screening plant ?