Help with what to plant along back fence?

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Hello, I am located on the Bay Area peninsula and we are starting a back yard remodel. I am having trouble deciding what to use as a nice evergreen screen along the back fence. It's a frustrating space because it seems to get too much sun for shade loving plants but too little for sun lovers. Right up against the back is shade and out from there maybe 2 or 3 feet is some sun. What's there currently? See pic. below: One purple hopseed grown as a small tree, one scorched japanese maple that is half dead, and two podocarpus "icy blue" bushes. Yes, sad. Looking for any suggestions... directly in front of this will be a garden space with lots of perennials, so I'm looking for a nice, easy foundation that stays green and doesn't get too tall as you can see the lovely power lines overhead. Ok so Idea #1 is more purple hopseed, but grown as bushes, with a shrub in front of it that's a little lower and bright green for contrast. Second idea is more podocarpus, but maybe mix the types so some are more blue (slower growers) and some green (will need to be pruned to keep shape. That's all I've got. Not a huge fan of Pittosporum but willing to consider. Open to ideas and suggestions! Thanks for the input! Also, there is an irrigation line back there so water needs are secondary to color, shape, size, hardiness.

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Comments (5)

User
7 years ago
I feel for my poor neighbor pruning his Podocarpus hedge several times a year and it still manages to spill out into the street and reach for the sky. Terribly unmanageable. Never should have been planted. Hopseed (Dodonaea viscosa) is more manageable since it's maximum height is listed as 15 feet.

Have you checked into sasanqua cameliias?

How deep is the bed? Are you trying for a solid barrier to hide the fence and the white bloomer above it?
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kentc
7 years ago
What are you trying to hide? The fence is a rustic weathered wood that appears in good shape and has an attractive pattern. Your neighbor has provided a vigorous flowering vine to top it off. From just your one photo I would say you already have a nice barrier between you and them. If it were my yard I would enjoy it and plant whatever I wanted in front of it to complement it rather than hide it. By creating a second barrier you are only eating up space that could be used for your planned perennial garden or some other more valuable purpose.
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ktgrandy
Original Author
7 years ago
These are both good points. I've read that Podo gets HUGE so am in fact thinking that is not a good option. I'll look at the camellias.

Kentc you are right, the fence is not bad at all and the potato vine is quite pretty and blooms almost year round. The "bed" will in fact be one larger bed, so the wood limiting the depth will be removed. The full bed will have another 8 to 10 feet in front of it. I guess what I'm really looking for then is less of a second barrier and more of just some good evergreens that create a more "lush" looking backdrop for the perennials, and something to look at in the winter.
User
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Maybe you like what I like. A structured jungle :-) You have a great space and a wonderful fence (I agree with Kent) for a backdrop. With white above it which allows you to choose any colors. How nice!

Since the wood edging will not define the bed, get rid of it. Lay a hose to find a pleasing bed outline (Sunset trick). If you are not going to have an outline, plan paths you will need for access (to cut flowers, clean-up etc). Defining spaces is most important for a successful garden. Are you are going to keep anything major? Rip out now what won't stay. How can we amateurs visualize anything with such obstacles? Take a new picture of as much of the area as possible and change it to black/white. Print several copies and draw in pencil on them. Study your space at twilight to see where mass is needed. Colors don't detract then.

I love the triple layer bed effect (tall, med., short) to create depth. It is a formal look and effective in shallow spaces. I mentioned sasanquas in that context plus the sun/shade.

For a non-formal look I would consider a grouping of 3 birches over to the right (to conceal the vertical wire and provide a focal point. They are sold bare root and can be planted in the same hole or further apart. A grouping of 3-5 shrubs (one of the shorter Raphiolepis
possibly ie. 'Jack Evans' so there's very little pruning) planted triangularly rather than in a row. Perhaps a rose bush. How much maintenance do you want. What colors are you drawn to? Agapanthus and Lantana also do not require watering after establishment. Oops, unless you're on sand. At the garden dept. put different plants side by side to see if they are complimentary. Start a plant list of what you like. If you purchase make sure it's returnable if it doesn't suit your space.

I'll shut up now with what helped me, hugely. Drive around. Take pictures of all gardens you like. And copy!!!
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ktgrandy
Original Author
7 years ago
Very inspiring, thank you! Yes, I do in fact like the structured jungle look. Only just now realizing that:)