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Thinking caps on please!

15 comments


We have lived here for just over twenty years, the bungalow behind ours was recently sold, so we now have a new owner there. He was demolishing the garden shed a few weeks ago while I was outdoors and told me he’s a property developer but plans to live in this one, rather than refurbish and sell it.

I said that if any of our shrubs and/or trees overhung to his garden he was welcome to cut them back. He just said ‘Ok’.

This is the garden where the wonderful Plum trees used to grow, long standing GoY folk may remember the Plum Cake recipe I posted a blog about!

Sadly, those trees were felled a couple of years ago and nothing replaced them, but two weeks ago this began to take shape.

I asked if the back of the building, which we now see but he doesn’t, will be finished soon and he said “I’ve put some battens on to pretty it up for you!” Sarcasm I can do without.

You can imagine seeing this from the lounge patio doors, from the seats under the vine pergola, in fact it’s just ‘there’ all the time, a monstrosity.

We have now got to really think long and hard about how best to disguise it, either with plants, grasses, trees, trellis to train a climber on. The Pyracanthas have always been kept trimmed to the top of the fence, but I wish now that I had let them grow and grow, for obvious reasons.

There we are, what would you do about disguising this? Moving home is not an option!

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Comments

 

That’s a tricky problem for you Shirley. Perhaps put up trellis to go above the height of your fence? We have the backs of brick garages down one side of our garden, and have put up trellis to “block them out”. It’s a great disguise, even without the Hydrangea petiolaris which covers half of it. Good luck!

2 May, 2025

 

I would suggest exactly the same Shirley...a member,Karen from Gillingham had exactly the same problem...she bought the extended trellis panels which obscured new buildings at the end of her garden.There are many pretty climbers to grow against them.

2 May, 2025

 

I agree Shirley. Put a trellis up and get a mature evergreen climber like Trachlespermum Jasminoides.

2 May, 2025

 

Thanks Sheila, I don't want to rush in and make a mistake with my choice of plant. Plenty of options if I think long enough!

Julia, did Karen from Gillingham post a photo of the trellis please?

Thanks Rose, evergreen is a must and I don't really care if it intrudes onto the back of that building!

2 May, 2025

 

She did Shirley quite a few years ago...I'll check on the website under her name.

2 May, 2025

 

Thanks Julia ... :o))

2 May, 2025

 

Shirley, I've just checked all through her blogs/photos but to no avail..she must have sent them to me and after so many y years I deleted them...I have seen the trellis additions already pla ted up with climbers
in the GCs ..they are expensive though.Sorry can't help anymore.

2 May, 2025

 

Oh Julia, thanks so much for checking. :o) x

2 May, 2025

 

Yes I agree but if you don' t want the expense of new trellis, buy some battens to fasten to the top of your fence line, then some wire to string along the battens then plant the fastest growing Clematis you can get Shirley, Freckles is very fast growing as is Winter Jewels both are evergreen so will cover it during the winter as well.....

2 May, 2025

 

When I began to read your blog, Shirley, the first idea to pop into my head was the same as it seems popped into everyone's mind as well - trellis along the top & climbers to cover it so the building is hidden! :D :D :D

2 May, 2025

 

Sue, thanks for that idea, it's food for thought. By the way, did you receive an email from me over a week ago?

Yes David, it's not something I want to rush into, but it needs to be covered eventually!

2 May, 2025

 

For a quick inexpensive fix using the proper supports you might try putting up a camo netting screen of your choice of color and texture.

2 May, 2025

 

Loosestrife, that's another option, thanks for looking in.

4 May, 2025

 

No messages getting through Shirley and I can't send them either...xx

4 May, 2025

 

Sue, I messaged to your email address on Thursday 24th April. Still not received?

4 May, 2025

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