Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Jun 20, 2011 3:47 pm Hi all, I'm looking for some advice on what we could plant in front of a small fence (similar to a pool fence) which runs through the centre of our backyard. We considered removing it but we think it provides some versatility with young kids coming over and allowing us to keep them within eyesight and away from our overly-friendly dog The problem is it's not the nicest looking fence and we would really like to take the focus away from it. I've provided some photos below. You can see how there's a small retaining wall which steps up into another area (where we plan to completely strip away the lawn and plant some veggies and other plants later this year). Please ignore the terrible condition of the lawn at the lower level... it's a work in progress and I plan to solarise areas of it with plastic to kill all the weeds and reseed in spring (this is a long story and goes back to this thread: viewtopic.php?t=42810). We'll be putting in a garden bed alongside the timber wall and fence about half a metre in width. Ideally we're looking at something that would grow to the height of the fence but not totally conceal it, it just needs to take the focus away from it. We're not interested in a hedge as we're kind of doing that along the back fence with some Lilly Pillys to eventually block out the neighbours as you can see. We'd like something that's relatively low maintenance and also low allergenic as I (and knowing our luck our new daughter) suffer pretty severely from hayfever and asthma. Our first plan was to put some form of fountain grass in as a base with some leafy plants cut as standards every metre or so, but that may not be the best option. We're located in the outer-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Advice on plant selection along "pool" fence (photos inc 3Jun 26, 2011 5:35 pm Still looking for ideas if anyone has any. I should note i'd like something relatively soft, no sharp edges (safe for kids and dogs). Hedge may be the way to go but don't want too much maintenance. Re: Advice on plant selection along "pool" fence (photos inc 4Jun 26, 2011 6:28 pm What about some photinias or even pittosporum variety as a hedge? Both look great. Re: Advice on plant selection along "pool" fence (photos inc 6Jun 26, 2011 8:01 pm If its going to lead into a productive area what about a dwalf lemon and lime each side of the gate. Or any citrus of your choice. Put a few lomandra tanika's which handle wet and dry very well (as well as kiddie beatings) either side of each tree. You might even want a couple more dwalf fruit trees in there. You could also train fruit trees along the fence but thats not low maintainence, but productive. Re: Advice on plant selection along "pool" fence (photos inc 12Jun 27, 2011 9:45 pm I guess there are sooo many things you can do which will look really pretty. Re: Advice on plant selection along "pool" fence (photos inc 13Jun 29, 2011 3:51 pm Any opinions on planting lavender as a base cover with some sweet viburnum cut as standards coming through over the top? Thinking both are good for allergy sufferers. Re: Advice on plant selection along "pool" fence (photos inc 14Jun 29, 2011 8:12 pm Dont know if i would put lavender in the low allergy basket. Very strong fragrance and lots of pollen. Re: Advice on plant selection along "pool" fence (photos inc 16Jun 29, 2011 9:08 pm Conflicting, yes maybe, i found the smell drove me nuts, others maybe not. Still worth looking at if you think they will be right. Re: Advice on plant selection along "pool" fence (photos inc 17Jun 29, 2011 9:22 pm One thing that kind if turns me off lavender is the mass of bees that will be hanging out there. Not so bad in the front yard but maybe not so good with kids in the backyard. Kangaroo paw may have similar problems but nowhere near as many. Only thing is I've heard mixed success with kangaroo paw in Melbourne. Re: Advice on plant selection along "pool" fence (photos inc 18Jun 30, 2011 9:55 am I think if you were to paint the railings black they would "fade into the background" and not be so in your face, then you may not have to worry about planting anything in front of it. Might be worth a try? For info on our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=43093 Built the McLaren by Dechellis - slab down 22 Feb - handover 30 Aug 2011 - and gardens finished 9 Dec 2012!! Re: Advice on plant selection along "pool" fence (photos inc 19Jun 30, 2011 10:16 am Mclaren I think if you were to paint the railings black they would "fade into the background" and not be so in your face, then you may not have to worry about planting anything in front of it. Might be worth a try? I agree with this but unfortunately everything else is painted that same colour (posts, architraves, etc), so although it would blend in more easily in that area it may stand out across the rest of the backyard. Re: Advice on plant selection along "pool" fence (photos inc 20Jun 30, 2011 10:35 am Some climber maybe? Maybe that star (??) jasmine or whatever it's called? Or cordyline (eg. "Red Sensation")? Apparently (and unfortunately for us) they grow to 2.5 m high but are not dense. Or native grasses? And underplant with petunias at the front but only if that side faces full sun ... or some other "durable" flower, otherwise mondo grass or some variegated light green / white stripey leaf small plants that look neat and pretty all the time My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Firstly the ableflex that has been installed needs (manufactures specification) a sealant cap over the top, preventing water draining down between the slab and the… 3 7744 Hi Kaiser85, We are building with Firstyle Homes. Our build has just started, slab pour is on Saturday (hopefully!). Their standard range is pretty good. We did our… 1 6472 0 4690 |