Boundary ideas instead of a fence

[GreenTangerine]

My title deeds prohibit the erection of a fence or formal hedge between my property and the house next door. I’m looking for ideas as to how I could demarcate the boundary line, possibly with plants in long troughs or pots. What plants would work well? The current space is laid to gravel, so I’d like to avoid digging this up hence thinking of potted plants. I’d like something that is relatively evergreen but could still thrive in a pot. It could be quite a wide planter as there is plenty space. I live in north Scotland, so would also need to be relatively hardy 😁

Portuguese laurel or hornbeam?

Pyracantha would be my choice.

How long is your boundary? And are you looking for security too? Are you looking to keep out not just human intruders, but deer etc too?

You could have a mix of plants, Adam Frost was talking about this on Gardeners World recently. He had planted a range which included a tomato plant (obviously with hardy plants too).

i was going to say a Belgian fence of willow or espalier apple but if you aren’t allowed hedging that may not be allowed..

Then I thought I would recommend some large shrubs, lower leaves removed/certain branches taken out to make miniature ‘trees’, something like California lilac or tree peony or buddleja with something airy like gypsophilia or verbena bonariensis and a group of nice colourful bedding plants in front but if you are using planters I think they would have to be quite large!

Could you use fence posts 6ft high and fill the gaps with 3ft trellis? So 3ft gap at the bottom? Then have a rambling rose.

Good as a clear boundary, not so good at stopping animals.

I like the pyracantha idea of FLOrence
they are low level and are in keeping with the idea of no fence or hedge,
You could obviously mix it up with other low level evergreen plants of a similar habit

If you could bear moving the gravel aside and cutting holes in the membrane underneath you could plant a lovely swathe of grasses. You then put the gravel back, obviously.

Thanks all! Doesn’t need to stop humans or animals, it’s more just to show the boundary and put some kind of divide between me and next door It’s a culdesac in a village, so no deer roaming this far down from the woods! I like the pyracantha idea having googled (my garden knowledge is pretty sketchy)! Unfortunately lovely as the trellis idea is it would definitely be against the deeds, I almost need a “portable” hedge, hence something that can thrive in a planter. I do also like the grasses idea, annoyingly I actually love pampas grass and the like but I know there are all kinds of weird connotations with it and it’s probably some kind of hideous gardening faux pas these days

annoyingly I actually love pampas grass and the like but I know there are all kinds of weird connotations with it and it’s probably some kind of hideous gardening faux pas these days

😂
Yeah, I was going to suggest pink and white pampas grass with Elijah blue in front after reading that grass comment then thought god no! Everyone will think she’s a swinger 😆😆

Would a mixture of lavender hidcote/munsted, rosemary and hyssup work? You can keep them as a low level hedge that isn't really a hedge. They are evergreen, have flowers, bees love them and they smell good.

long troughs planted with bamboo?

bit like this

www.amazon.co.uk/CutnCraft-Designs-Decking-Planter-Wooden/dp/B08744KQ2Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=large+trough+planter&sprefix=large+trough&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1590269941&sr=8-13

I’d do camellias. Evergreen, so year round privacy, and do well in containers. And they can grow really big or keep as a 6ft hedge

www.rhs.org.uk/plants/popular/camellia/growing-guide

What about planters with trellis attest her to them? That would be a sort of non-permanent fence.

If your neighbour is in agreement, and no-one else is likely to know about the deeds or care, why not put up a light fence? You may need to be prepared to take it down if you or they sell, but it's highly likely any buyers would prefer a fence than not.

There have been similar threads to this in the past and the usual consensus is that once the last house has been sold by the builder, no-one enforces the restrictive covenants. It's a civil matter so someone would have to pay to enforce it. So choose the boundary plants you like rather than ones you feel are most acceptable.
There's a modern development near me where lots of homes have used rhododendrons and camellias to form boundaries that aren't technically hedges. They look good too. Just saying 😂

Pyracantha can be bought at 6 ft plants relatively cheaply. It can be pruned to look like a hedge and has the advantage of year round protection. It is great for birds, which feast on the berries.

If you plant it in pots you can rotate them for pruning so,that they do not impinge on your neighbour. I wonder if you have spoken to them. You might be able to agree a mutual planting scheme.

As you in N Scotland, I’d suggest Cherry Laurel and Rhododendron. Both will grow in large oblong planters, be evergreen, hardy and attractive.

It says you aren't allowed a formal hedge. No mention of an informal one, which could just be a row of a variety of shrubs. How about berberis, euonymus, forsythia, escallonia, lonicera etc?

I'd steer clear of pyracantha because it can be a complete thug once it really gets going, and is a nightmare to prune because of all the thorns.

Hydrangea could be good too.

I second the California Lilac (Ceonothus) suggestion. They are beautiful, cheap and they could grow well in containers. My neighbours have one and it's really impressive.

I'd be tempted with posts and rope, then look at alpines to plant in the gravel for some colour