Disguising (but not touching) neighbours fence right outside our back door.

[lechatnoir]

We live in a semi and our patio doors are right by the wall so when you look out, the view is basically the neighbours fence! In an ideal world I’d horizontal panel it and have a wall of potted hanging plants but neighbours don’t want us fixing anything to it and I’m too nervous about bleed-through to paint. Any other suggestions? There’s barely 6” to spare between doors and fence so not even the room for big planters with freestanding trellis..

I was thinking some sort of super slim tall plant stand or old plank shelving unit and just sitting lots of small pots. DH thinks it might look fussy and suggested making a log store so at least the view is a bit more rustic and less new build sterile but I think that wouldn’t be much of an improvement. Any other ideas?

Trellis, not attached to the fence but maybe an inch or two away from it. Then you could plant all sorts of lovely plants to grow up the trellis - clematis? Wisteria? Hollyhocks?

I’ve attached an image to show quite how close it is and view from our living room.

It’s not bad looking and matches the colour of the other fences.

Can’t you directly plant some climbers in the ground in front of the fence (i.e. make a thin flowerbed) and put trellis up against the fence (attach to your own poles or something if they don’t want anything attached). I can’t quite see the distance to door issue but you could just start the planting half a panel along to give space for door opening.

I think it looks ok and it will soften when the colour fades. Maybe you would be better to create a focal point away from it. Maybe an interesting shrub or small tree in the corner.
How long has it been up? I think if you wait you won’t notice it.

You don't need to attach trellis at all if you plant self-clinging climbers - they will creep up the fence themselves. Self-clinging climbers just do their own thing - eg ivy, which is also evergreen - & there are some beautiful variegated varieties. If it's quite shady, another self-clinging one is climbing hydrangea. Parthenocissus too - though it is more vigorous so might take over a bit. Both ivy & climbing hydrangea are easy to trim to keep in check once they reach the top, so would be more manageable.

You'll have more choice with twining climbers though. Still no need to attach trellis to a perfectly sturdy fence though - it's not necessary. Just attach horizontal wires with vine eyes (look online for details of spacing, wire thickness etc). That will allow you to grow clematis, honeysuckle, wisteria, jasmine or trachelospermum - though it depends on how much sun your fence gets.

If you don't like the appearance of the fence, I'd go for predominantly evergreen climbers - ivy, Clematis armandii, trachelospermum, one of the evergreen honeysuckles etc. Once they're established you can add large-flowered clematis to grow through them (they're smaller climbers that will only grow to around fence height).

Other options are espalier fruit trees, horizontally trained pyracantha/chaeonomeles etc if you like a more graphic look.

If you want something fast, buy larger specimens. Don't crowd them too much though as they will grow faster than you think!

If you want something visually striking, you could always try some of these ideas ...!! The trained pyracantha is faster to achieve than you might think - & he's done it against a fence just like yours - https://herbidacious.calamus.graphics/2020/05/29/pyracantha-espalier/

Good luck!

I'd be really tempted to put up my own fence right next to theirs. You will lose a sliver of your garden but it will be your fence to grown on it what you want.

Why some people so possessive about the back of their fence? Strained wires on your side would do no damage to them and would look great covered with climbers.

I think I'll revisit the idea of wires and a gentle climber with neighbour - no idea why they are so funny about it but I'm more than happy to keep a climber under control. I love the look of the trained pyracantha but think a more rambling climber might be more within my capabilities and provide better coverage. The fence/garden is only a year old so still time to weather so not so bothered about the colour as I know it will fade but it's just so sterlie (new build so unsurprising). The rest of the garden is looking so much better for some climbers and more growth (this photo is last summer and the rear is already nearly covered). Failing that might see if I can find some slim planters so I can add some climbers with my own trellis.

Thanks very much

Charles and ivy decorative panels

You might lose some of your own garden, but if you would with more of a border of climbers again their fence, so why don’t you install your own fence and match it up?

Couldn’t you do something similar to the planting you have on the back fence? Or plant some small trees to break it up.

They've actually put the fence in the wrong way round. You're supposed to have the supports on the side which owns the fence to allow for maintenance...

Had no idea you’re not allowed to touch the fence. Our garden is identical set up and we attached trellises all along fence and have all sort of plants growing up and over the top!! Clematis and Russian vine etc.
our neighbours are our good friends though and also not keen gardens to our flowers going over the top are the only plants in their garden

You could get an ornate metal plant stand, like waterfall shelving and put pots on it.

Or put in two posts not attached to fence and revisit your horizontal slats idea or wire so you don't need to ask your neighbour. Or oblisk and or arches with climbers

We have a similar view out of a window, we potted up trees and metal trellis which stands in the ground etc to cover it

I'd just put a wide border in and plant some tall and wafty plants.

An espalier Apple tree or pear against the fence would not need support if it was read trained. They’re beautiful and provide fruit all autumn. One of each would be nice.

Bunting, thin bench pots, cushions.