Privacy garden

[farmettehopeful]

There is a big difference on thinking of "payback" and acting on it! We are the only neighbors to each other, the other 3 sides of us are all nature. That is why it so annoying when even visitors ask if the neighbors always stare at our yard. Yes it is their fence that is why I can't do anything about its height. I do not want a privacy fence up just on the other side of theirs, I think that is rude as it takes away from the look of the split rail. Hubby would prefer evergreens so maybe we can make an agreement to have that and vines. We will talk to our local nursery as I have been to lowes and such and they don't provide truly useful info!

 

[so lucky]

I really like the idea of tall slim evergreens. It would even make their split-rail fence stand out better from your neighbors' vantage point. And, (because my Fil says I would defend anybody) it could just be that family is sort of backward; uncouth. Some kids aren't taught not to stare, etc. HOWEVER: It would drive me nuts, too.

 

[farmettehopeful]

Stupid newbie question...are there tall slim evergreens that don't need trimmed to keep shape?

 

[ninnymary]

Farmettehopeful, what about bamboo? Living in the city, we have neighbors about 20ft away that have a 2 story house. We planted clumping bamboo along the fence and it looks very good. I like the bright green and the way it moves with the wind. It was fairly fast growing also and has grown to cover the neighbor's 2 story windows. Just an idea. Don't know what zone your in or if it grows there.

Mary

 

[catjac1975]

Stupid newbie question...are there tall slim evergreens that don't need trimmed to keep shape?

Yes. Get an ever green catalog or look it up online. Musser Forest has a great selection. They may not be big enough for your needs. If you can afford it get them as big as you can. Make sure they are deer resistant. I think deer love arborvitae. There are so many shapes. Columnar comes to mind for what you want. I would buy locally to get the best advice. I have seen whole plantings go to ruin by poor selection. You can choose your height by variety. There small local growers near me that would be difficult to locate if I had not simply driven by. There are probably the same in you area. The Massachusetts State Ag. agency is trying to get the small mom and pop places more available to consumers. You may find that's also true in your state.

Maybe they'll get sick of looking at you. There are many odd people in this world.

 

[farmettehopeful]

Mary I have researched the clumping bamboo but as I was doing that I saw some prices yikes! I haven't priced evergreens yet though so that might be another yikes! Lol

 

[farmettehopeful]

Cat: that's what I'm afraid of doing, poor selection! Like I said new to this stuff and have spent all of my free time researching plants and veggies and quite frankly I'm tired of research lol. I have printed a pic of the area I will be raising up so hopefully if I take that to nursery, they will be kind enough to help me!
Unfortunately after lived her for 5 years, the staring and comments haven't stopped :-( we have been nothing but kind, even had a lovely tree taken down at their request within a year after moving in.

 

[momofdrew]

If you put up an arbor wisteria is a great vine to grow.... or grapes... both need a strong structure...but they would do the trick

 

[catjac1975]

Cat: that's what I'm afraid of doing, poor selection! Like I said new to this stuff and have spent all of my free time researching plants and veggies and quite frankly I'm tired of research lol. I have printed a pic of the area I will be raising up so hopefully if I take that to nursery, they will be kind enough to help me!
Unfortunately after lived her for 5 years, the staring and comments haven't stopped :-( we have been nothing but kind, even had a lovely tree taken down at their request within a year after moving in.

Wow you are patient. I planted clumping bamboo and though they are beautiful I find them slow growing. Kind and patient cannot go only one way. Maybe there is something wrong with them. All favors seem to go one way here too. I would forget about their feelings at this point and put up a fence. Nothing you do will please them. A local arborist nearby can give you the best choice. Make sure you speak to someone knowledgeable not just some kid that works there.
The fence between us and our offensive neighbors has worked wonders. For years I forgot they even lived there. Until they started causing trouble again. The woman dumps her wood ash over the wall onto our land!
One neighbor even tells us she looks at us with binoculars. We actually get along with them. Weird people.

 

[farmettehopeful]

Well, we went to our local nursery today and have decided on Leyland Cypress trees. My hubby loves them and likes the fact that they will still provide privacy in the winter months. My WHOLE plan is out the window now though! We are only getting 2 grown ones right now due to expense but may get two babies to start "the wall" of privacy. I wll no longer be doing a raised bed but still plan on putting down 2 rows of 3x3x8 landscape timbers to keep the mulch in and hope to get some flowers or something in the area for color. I'm hoping we are biting off too much because we know nothing about pruning or cutting back! Thanks for all of your help everyone!!!!
I also have left a voicemail with our zoning officer to be sure we in the clear for the trees possible height...it's a shame when you have his number on hand lol! Just got the call back already and we are in the clear. It can be as tall as we want it