Is it ok to do this in a new build garden?

[Moodwill]

Hello,

I am moving into a (fairly) new build where all the gardens touch each other and have slatted fences that you can see through. I really want to find my green fingers and build up a lovely garden.

I was just wondering about garden etiquette; I'd like to plant some trees/bushes/roses etc that may grow higher than the fence. Would this be ok? Is it ok to allow something to grow higher than the fence on your own side? So sorry if this is an obvious question, I did try googling but not sure I'm searching for the right question.

Also any advice on what to grow to improve the look of the garden, and start to build a little privacy, would be really appreciated.

Thank you!

Avoid things like bamboo, yes it’s fast growing but it’s VERY invasive, ditto for IVY.
Something like mile a minute clematis is good or honeysuckle. My honeysuckle is over 30 years old.
Not a problem to be higher than the fence, we have varigated weigela and weigela Bristol ruby down one side of our fence plus a fatsia japonica ( castor oil plant) that gets enormous if not kept in check.

Some Fuschias get quite large too and are very easy to grow

This is mine in full flower

I would put a or wires or some expandable trellis to secure you plants to give you extra privacy. You can plant whatever you like in your own garden. There is an evergreen rambling rose which has no thorns and is very easy to train along the fence. It has early flowers which are heavenly scented. banksaei lutea. You will have to wait for its second season for the biggest profusion. Then you just give it a light prune and train it in. I recommend David Austin for this.

I would avoid honeysuckle or any vines until you get to know your neighbour. You will save money if you both plant up your own side . it always nice to ask your neighbours how they fee, about the shared fence.

I would try to go for all round interest, use dependable plants like Cornus, especially Midwinter fire, Hibiscus and Forsythia.

It's fine to grow things taller than the fence, but it's best to avoid things that will grow over/through unless you get to know the neighbours and they're ok with it (some invaders can be welcome if they're nice plants for free. Others less so!)

And with trees and large shrubs consider whether they are going to cast unwelcome shadows across other peoples space.

The other thing to do before planting trees is to check your deeds - we've got an 'easement' running along one boundary and the covenants say we mustn't plant trees within a certain distance of it.

You can plant whatever you like in your own garden. but it’s not being a good neighbour to plant something that will overhang their garden. So don’t, for example, plant trees hard up against the fence.

my son has a similar garden to yours, except it’s also north facing. He has put a pergola in one corner and is planning to grow a climber over it. Already it’s proving its worth -your eye is drawn to it rather than to the overlooking houses.

You’ll never achieve complete privacy, but you can achieve the illusion of privacy

I'd advise looking at which plants are growing well nearby as they're likely to also grow well for you. Lavender and hydrangeas with some climbers may suit.
I agree, please don't grow bamboo or ivy. Google "how to get rid of bamboo" and you'll see why 🙈

It's fine to plant what ever you like in your own garden but avoid plants that could go over the fence - unless your neighbours are okay with it.

I grow a budleja which grows tall in the summer but I cut right back in autumn.

I was just wondering about garden etiquette; I'd like to plant some trees/bushes/roses etc that may grow higher than the fence. Would this be ok?
A friend of mine has a new-build estate round the back of her. Nobody has any greenery above fence height. It looks awful and sterile.
Take a look at any established neighbourhood and you will see lots of height.
Plan to plant a(t least one) tree. All gardens need a tree!

Don't fall into the trap of planting stuff up against the edges of your garden, around a square of lawn. Introduce some shape and curve.

Have you thought of moving the patio to the bottom end - the sunny end - of the garden? Always put your favourite bit of the garden in the bit that gets most sun.

I’m about to plant some fast growing bamboo but I’ve been advised to keep them in the pots in the ground to keep them contained and not take over the whole garden

Thanks everyone! I am looking forward to getting stuck in. I did not know that bamboo was so awful and had originally thought of sticking a load in, I definitely won't now!

Bamboo comes in clump-forming as well as spreading varieties, but even with those the clumps are quite big - so if you want some, keep it in pots.

I might see about getting a massive pot for some bamboo as it’s so quick growing.

Please don’t plant trees that will block other people’s light. The people south of us have three silver birch trees 7 metres tall and the people to the east have a gigantic sycamore tree that is easily 4 metres wide and 5 tall, right against our boundary wall. The net result is that my tiny patch of south-facing garden is shaded by their giant trees for most of the day. If they’d all planted 3 metre fruit trees instead there’d be no problem.