On 03/04/2013 15:41, Sheppard wrote:

Hi,

Looking for ideas to salvage a close shave to the neighbours side of the
conifer hedge. It is the north side and has been pruned to the wood. It
has a 4 ft fence and grows along it to 7ft. What can I grow to reach 7
ft high that will cover it and make it look nice for neighbours?

My husband after much nagging pruned the hedge and ignored my advice to
not cut back to the woody bits! Grrrrrrr...... Would Laural grow up
along side it ? Maybe it could eventually replace it? Or a climbing
plant to cover it? Pref evergreen options.....?

Any advice gratefully received!








Your problem is not so much the scalped evergreens, as the (probably)
limited amount of soil available and the fact that the soil is starved
by the evergreen hedge.

If there is a decent border of soil on one side of the hedge which is
not too rooty, then it would be worth planting something to climb into
the remains of the hedging, if only this year while you decide what to
do with the hedge.

In your position, I would have a good chat with my neighbour. If you
are on reasonably friendly terms, they may be more appeased by the
height of the hedge being lowered. 7ft is extraordinarily high for a
hedge between neighbours. The law starts to get nervous at 6ft, which
is surely enough. Further, if your hedge does survive, at 5 or 6ft it
will be easier to trim in the future, perhaps requiring less nagging on
your behalf before your husband obliges ;~).

If you still want to plant something through it, I would suggest
seriously improving the soil and planting a goodly row of Cobaea
Scandens. This is a lovely clinging vine with large purple bells
(opening from greenish-white buds) which is evergreen. Sadly it is not
fully hardy here (it is both perennial and woody in its native mexico),
but is grown as an annual. It would make a very attractive screen,
reaching up to 10ft, probably less in the conditions you are offering
it, so just about ideal.

However, as I say, talking to your neighbour seems a sensible first move.

--
Spider
from high ground in SE London
gardening on clay