New front fence faces north, how would you break it up

[itsnotarace]

Hi all

We have a new fence in the front garden which faces north so anything planted at the base will get no direct sunlight at all (short of installing a bank of mirrors opposite!). It's about 4 car lengths long and I would like to break it up with bushes/shrubs that I can train upwards using a trellis(es)

The soil is typical Wiltshire full of flints and stones with a small layer of topsoil. Previously there was a lot of ivy (most of which has now been removed) and a load of moss / bare patches



Was thinking of some kind of honeysuckle I guess? I'm much better at killing plants than growing them so something low maintenance with a bit of colour would be nice, any recommendations? Nothing that will grow too deep out from the fenceline, just upwards and along it if possible.

Many thanks

[Pickled Piper]

Sorry can't help you. But how much does fencing like that cost?

pp

[Sheets Tabuer]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00s365b

Gardeners world show about covering north facing fences.

[FlossyThePig]

Pickled Piper said:

Sorry can't help you. But how much does fencing like that cost?

pp

You'll have to ask his neighbour. You have to put the good side facing the outwards with fencing like that.

[HiRich]

I would be tempted not to climb the fence. Rather, a 12-18" deep border with bays around the trees:

• English bluebells, snowdrops and a few daffs for early colour.
• A range of bushing shrubs up 4-6' tall suitable for shade and fairly well spaced. Euonymous, viburnum, etc. We have a couple of soft-leaved bushes that love the North face (sadly no names).

If you really want cover, consider rambling roses. Long trained stems will suit the long canvas you have to play with. Vibrant growth, especially when they get into the light, a flush of flowers, and most importantly they are difficult to kill once established, even when you butcher them back. You could fill the gaps with a growing selection of other bush roses to extend the flowering and fill the gaps. Roses are easy to grow, but it's a real skill and involving hobby to select, nurture and develop them. And England needs more rose experts.
If you are tempted (and it's actually a really good idea now I think about it), there's even the perfect book, Dr Hessayon's Rose Expert .

Still, watch the video. But keep the rose idea in mind.

[ledger]

FlossyThePig said:

Pickled Piper said:

Sorry can't help you. But how much does fencing like that cost?

pp

You'll have to ask his neighbour. You have to put the good side facing the outwards with fencing like that.

didn't think that was still the case.

[itsnotarace]

Pickled Piper said:

Sorry can't help you. But how much does fencing like that cost?

pp

Apologies for teh late reply. The 5ft closeboard fencing was £14.50 per metre which includes the V shaped posts, base board and the cap. The posts are every 3m and were £7 each plus there were 2 bags of postcrete at a fiver per bag. All prices plus VAT. The boards are all pressure treated rather than dipped so will last ages. For the 21m length shown above, the materials came to approx £450 inc VAT, plus a day and a bit of labour

As for the "good side", the existing fence was the same so it was replaced like for like. We have the "bad side" facing us on the fence opposite, but imho it looks alright, hardly unattractive

[itsnotarace]

HiRich said:

Useful stuff

Thanks very much, some good ideas there

[Qcarchoo]

As for the "good side", the existing fence was the same so it was replaced like for like. We have the "bad side" facing us on the fence opposite, but imho it looks alright, hardly unattractive


It's always a good idea to have the 'bad side' facing you. It makes it more difficult for intruders to climb over, or kids, as my neighbour has found out to his cost.


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