hedge

Steve - three points occur to me - firstly, the privet hedge is going to take a lot of the nutrients out of the soil, so new plants will struggle. Secondly, you haven't said which direction the new border will face. Will it have lots of sun or will it be in the shade of the hedge? Thirdly, how wide will the new planteable area be? It's very hard to plant right up to the roots of a hedge, so you'll have to bear that in mind when you plan what you're going to plant. Another thing - it's going to take a long time for the hedge to reach the height you are talking about. Why not fasten a trellis panel along the top of the fence and grow fast-growing climbers on it for the moment at least? My Solanum laxum 'Album' was planted this time last year and has over-topped the trellis by at least 2'. It is very attractive, too.

If you can give some more information, I'm sure we could come up with some suggestions for you. Your existing garden looks wonderful - what a shame you've got to change it so drastically!

Spritzhenry just beat me to it again. Just a few more thoughts. I agree the privet hedge will take lots of goodness out of the ground. The trellis is your best bet, grow clematis montana.
Has the old cherry tree got to go?. it would be another place if high to plant climbing shrubs. Mix rose/clematis.
What a shame to have your outlook spoiled, you have a lovely cottage garden look.

What a about Thuja Plicata, I went through the same problem, but in 2-3 years I had the privacy, I must say it grows very, very fast. I underplanted it with beautiful hostas, hardy fuscia (megallanica) & cyclamen. I will go and take a photo & show you the results. The hardy fuscias are superb and grows like crazy, I think they are native to NZ or S.Africa??So watch for the photo, later on.

Another thing to consider - if you plant a hedge at the back of a border, you will need to allow space to get at it to trim it. Personally I favour spritzhenry's idea of adding trellis and a climber to the existing fence

I was just thinking the same Steve, the trellis sounds the best and easiest solution. If you wanted a more foliaged look, what about 2 or 3 different conifers to add some depth,
you could look at Blue Spruces pics I planted Blue Arrow this year which will grow to 8ft but only 2ft in width. I interplant my conifers with cottage garden annuals which hide them in the summer from too much heat (lol) and then reveal them for the Winter once the annuals have been pulled out.

thanks for your speedy replies.
spritzhenry ,the fence faces east , but i think you could have a point about the hedge taking all the nutrients out of the soil.our wonderful planning laws only allow a 2metre fence hieght, so if i put another 2 foot of trellis on top of my fence , i may breach local council rules!!!
i was considering replacing the exsisting fence panels with hurdles , so maybe i should approach the planning dept that approved the building next door , and see if i can put up 2m hurdles with a further 1m rustic trellis.
i will look on goy to try and see the different suggested plants for cover ing this trellis.
at least this way i would not have to change the border design, other than the normal 'tinkering' we all do , in our efforts to achieve a better garden. thanks again for all your help , i will let you know how i get on at the planning dept............steve

Steve, this is a nasty one. It looks as if you put 2m of hurdles and 1m of trellis you will still infringe the 2m. height restriction.
Further thoughts, perhaps standard evergreen trees, mixed, may solve the problem, with shade loving plants underneath which you can control yourself.
Good luck with this.

It is just so un fair Steve, is'nt it! your neighbour is allowed to completely spoil your view but you can't put up a trellis to hide it! i do agree though with what some of the others have said about privit hedges, i had one in my last garden and once they get going they are a real pain to cut back and never work very well at the back of a flower bed. but how friendly are you with the neighbour? because if the neighbour did'nt mind you putting up a trellis to cover the view from your side of the fence, would the council really have to know? if it was an agreement between the two of you why would the council need to know about it, bit naughty i know but - it is a bit naughty them allowing this anyway. and a really stupid rule. - in your possiton i think i would looking into the naughty options! lol Doctorbob's idea is a good b plan. i have a holly tree that hides next doors shed and building area that is right next to my fence, would imagine that has been there for some time though, so not a quick fix, but i am sure there would be other options that would cover this area far quicker. and your garden does look lovely as it is, but it is sometimes nice to have a change around, i am sure that it will look lovely.

Another thought Steve, have a look on 'Bluespruce' garden he has some lovely evergreens on his garden page, sure he would be able to recomend some good ones for you that would completely cover this view - he is going to love this comment! lol i am more a flower person myself, but i have to say looking at some of his pic's i could nearly be converted! lol nearly not quite!

You could put up some tall willow cones/obelisk type structures in front of the existing fence and grow climbers up, this would add some privacy, Janet, your garden is lovely by the way!

thanks again for the great ideas, i measured the existing fence and it's 1.8 metres high. so i think i will get the same hieght panels made and fit a 0.4metre rustic trellis on top , and grow some nice climbers across it.
luckily one of my neighbours has a friend who makes hurdles , so will contact him next week.
will not bother with the planning dept. i am sure it will only end with some 'jobsworth' telling me i cannot go more than 2m high!!
the people that own the plot next door live at the top of our lane , and we are friendly , so hopefully nothing will be said when i extend the hieght. will keep this as a late winter project , so by next spring it will all be done.
we are going to get a tree surgeon in to see if the cherry tree is past help , and if so , pay him to remove it and drill out the stump . another tree will replace this next spring.
thanks again for all your help and kind comments.......steve

Good luck with the project, Steve. You certainly got us all thinking! Please update us with what you do. I'm sure we'd all like to see the 'after' photos, having seen the before'!

spritzhenry, alway's nice to have a little project on the 'back burner' , had a look at your solanum and looks like a winner for one part of the trellis.will take photos and create a blog of the project..........steve