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What to plant to hide 2 four ft electric posts?

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

I would like to hide

them. They get morning light. Southern

Michigan

Featured Answer

niccidhg

4 years ago

Yes, good point on checking before painting. We did not paint ours and just opted to chance it about any digging that might need to be done by utilities. It was worth it to us and the boxes are still accessible . The front facing picture has the boxes (2) covered by boxwood directly behind ,and to the right of , the birdhouse . The angle from behind the bed shows one of the boxes peeking out at the top center of the photo. We chose boxwoods for their slow growth , ease of containment and for the year round evergreen aspect. Ours are pyramidal, but here are some columnar varieties at the nursery. If you opt for something larger here is a photo of a 5’ hemlock at the nursery which we planted elsewhere in our yard. Something like that might work for you from your house view. Best of luck.

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Comments (6)

PRO
Yardvaark
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Paint them a darker green-related color. You don't need to plant something as tall as they are in order to minimize them. Sometimes, the situation is made worse by having a group of big bushes that seem to have no apparent purpose as to why they're there. You are trying to hide from your view (from house) or from street view? Either way, you need to show more surroundings.
niccidhg
4 years ago
A couple of good sized columnar holly or boxwoods could help camouflage them from your view. One is so close to the sidewalk there is not much you can do from the street view, other than perhaps just making a pie shaped mulch bed at that corner and planting some annuals and / or hostas to “pretty it up “. Also, agree with painting them a darker green to blend in more with whatever you plant. A small frilly hemlock planted somewhat behind and in between them on your house side could also help. They are easy to keep trimmed.
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PRO
Yardvaark
4 years ago
Keep in mind that, if you plant, the plants might get trampled or destroyed when those utilities are accessed by the respective companies, at no compensation to you.
woodyoak zone 5 southern Ont., Canada
4 years ago
I'm not sure if it's true where you are, but sometime you are not allowed to paint/change the color of utility boxes.... Also, if they are electrical, be very cautious if you are digging around them to ensure you don't damage wiring - or yourself!
cm
4 years ago
I called my city for permission and any thoughts they had, got the ok and advice to not let anything get too big that would completely cover them .... did a bed with ornamental grasses, a few perennials, a boulder, etc. I always like having an excuse for a new planting bed. It was much nicer seeing plantings from my house, than utility structures. My neighbors appreciated it, too.

Oh, and in my town, big no on painting them. So be sure to call and ask.

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