I'm looking to enhance the privacy in my garden, particularly at the back. I have a fence next to the neighbors, but it doesn't run parallel, leaving a narrow wedge of soil behind it that varies from about 1.5 feet to nothing. Is it feasible to plant in this small space between our fences? Alternatively, should I consider adding a trellis on top of our existing fence and using fast-growing climbers to increase the height and screening? My fence is approximately 5.5 feet tall. I'm also curious about pleached trees, but I'm concerned they might not thrive in this setup.
2 Answers
Before you go planting, it's important to figure out whose land really is that wedge of soil. If you're looking for quick privacy, pleached trees like crab apples can provide an instant effect without being too high maintenance, but maintenance is something to keep in mind if you decide to get them. Just a thought!
Check out Ceanothus! It's an evergreen that can grow pretty tall—up to 8 feet in a few years—and it's bushy, so it offers great privacy without being too overwhelming. Plus, it has beautiful blue flowers in the spring, and it thrives on neglect, which is a bonus!
Thanks for the heads up! I actually own that space, but the layout of everything made it tricky. Yeah, I can see how maintenance could become an issue.