How can I hide a 12 foot fence in a small backyard?

Question

My neighbours just built a 12 foot fence at the back of my very small backyard (12ft long). I have about 2 feet between my deck and the fence. Any suggestions as to landscaping that would hide the face that the fence is practically bigger than my backyard?

It actually is an 8 foot fence on top of a 4 foot wood retaining wall (yes... the city was ok with this, unfortunately).

The fence is on the west end of the property (cutting the sun out very early in the day).

Answer 1

you could bury it that would hide it lol

Answer 2

I would ask the city planner if they know that the 8 foot fence is on top of a 4 foot retaining wall. Usually there is some kind of ordinance about the height as someone (Police or Fireman included) could jump over the fence and have a 12 foot drop to his or her death on your side.

Think of a vine or tree that you want to look at that gets 12 feet high and stays narrow, (it won't get too wide as it grows). Star Jasmine is a nice vine and needs little care.

Answer 3

Wow, a 12-foot fence? Is that permitted by your subdivision or town ordinances??

Some sort of climbing vine would probably be the best bet, but what it should be would depend on where you're located and how much sun the fence gets.

Answer 4

Well, if it is indeed legal....might as well make it a part of the landscape. First think of it as a canvas. You can paint with light, plants, structural items. I'd put lights at the base and make the fence a night time asset. You probably can't hang things on the fence......least you damage their property......but you can stand things against it. Maybe some architectural items.....I leave that to your imagination. You could put poles into your side and hang baskets of flowers, bird feeders, etc.

For only 2 feet wide you pretty much have to think 2D for plants, height, width, no depth. So vines is one or espalier which is a French term for training shrubs and trees into interesting 2D forms. You might want to look up so ideas on the web.

Answer 5

You don't say where you live. Maybe you could get an artistic friend to paint a mural of something and then put big pots of shade loving plants on the deck or in between the fence and the deck. Vining plants on trellisses would ve fun. It is all illusion.

Answer 6

If you're artistically inclined you could paint a nice mural of a forest on it or a garden. Planting ivy, euonymous, climbing roses would be attractive. Be cautious about planting trees next to the fence. If the tree falls on the fence, you'll have to pay for repairs.

Answer 7

The first thing I would do is to check with the building codes, in your neighborhood. It is quite possible that your neighbors may have to take it down and pay a fine.

If they are legally allowed to build the fence, (which I doubt), then you could plant some kind of clinging ivy to crawl up the side of the fence.

Good luck

Answer 8

You might want to check out some of the bamboo plants, very pretty, fast growing and comes in a variety of sizes. I would be careful of climbing plants unless you get permission to put stuff on your side of the fence. check out some different gardening websites for help too-garden here is one, Martha Stewart and diy or hgtv all have websites for gardening.

Answer 9

one thing if you are on good terms with your neighbor, ask him if you can use the fence to put on an picture of some kind, you can find these in your landscaping store.

Answer 10

I wouldn't paint it or hang things on it without there permission. You could build your one fence to hang things on or I liked the bamboo idea.

Answer 11

Plant a couple rows of sunflowers in front of it