Ask Gerry
Garden Design : Fences
1 - 3 of 3 answer(s)
Leylandii
We have Leylandii trees at the end of our garden which are about 20 feet high. However they take up a lot of room and are costly to have cut back every year. Also it is impossible to grow anything near them. There is a wall behind them aprox 4' high.
We are thinking of taking them down but the house which backs unto us is very near the wall so they would be looking directly into our garden and we would loose our privacy which we love.
We are trying to find something which we can replace them with which will be as high or almost as high and not cost a fortune. The garden is about 40' wide.
Can you suggest anything that would be suitable - either hedge, trees or else some type of fencing which we could grow climbers on?
Organic Jan, Churchtown, Co Dublin Posted: 02/08/2010
Leyland cypress is not suitable for suburban gardens, Yoiu have run into the problems it creates and you would be best to remove them.
Other hedges such as yew, griselinia, pittosporum or holly are more manageable but will take some time to give you the height you require.
Your best bet is probably a fence, or to build the wall higher, depending on whose wall it is. You could also consider a pergola of some kind, upoin which climbers of various kinds could be grown.
over looked by new extension
our neighbours have built a new extension which overlooks our back garden. I would like a suggestion for hedging or barrier of some kind. There's a wall of 6 feet approx between the houses but as the floor of the extension was raised they can now see right over our garden. i would be grateful for a solution.
071120091, ballincollig, Co Cork Posted: 07/11/2009
The simplest thing might be to consider if a fence can be erected on top of the wall to improve privacy. This need not be very high, 40 to 60 cm can make a big difference. You might be able to collaborate with your neighbour on this.
Wooden or trellis panels could be fitted to steel posts which could be fastened to a concrete wall.
Screening needed for privacy!
Hi Gerry! Moving into our new house in a housing estate soon. Back garden is small - 15metres in width & 9 metres in depth. A 2-storey house is very close on one side of the back wall & we need tall trees or high shrubs to screen it off. Using a ladder to help determine height of screening needed, we think we need 13 ft. in height & a total width of 7 metres to do the job. I suppose that we need to go for mature trees. I guess that evergreens are the only way to get that screening 365 days of the year. Or is putting trellis on top of the back wall & covering with fast growing climbers an option? We are prepared to pay whatever it costs - within reason. Your advice & help on this one would be much appreciated! Many thanks!
dontworrybehappy, kilkenny, Co Kilkenny Posted: 28/06/2008
Although trees will help they will also create a barrier from your side. You could plant a range of broad-leaved evergreens, such as griselinia, pittosporum, olearia or laurel.
Trees for screening do not have to be evergreen - deciduous kinds are good too, though not a solid screen in winter and allow some light into the space at a dull time of year.
You could also create a pergola or similar cover that will give you privacy when using the garden but not hem you in, or a combination of both.