exposed back garden advice
I am going into contract on a lovely brownstone, but one of the main drawbacks is that the rear garden (approx 20×40)opens on to a small parking lot (60×100, 3 house lots) on the next block. So there is a line of sight to the next street over, and it takes away from any sense…
I am going into contract on a lovely brownstone, but one of the main drawbacks is that the rear garden (approx 20×40)opens on to a small parking lot (60×100, 3 house lots) on the next block. So there is a line of sight to the next street over, and it takes away from any sense of privacy in the backyard. The lots are separated by a chain-link fence topped with barbed wire. I’m not worried about security so much as privacy and aesthetics.
I was thinking an 8-foot wooden stockade fence would do a good job of shutting out the outside world. Has anyone tried a fence that high in a brownstone yard? Will it feel too boxy and claustrophobic? My idea was to plant ivy on it and get a wall of green eventually. Any advice or suggestions would be welcome.
Why don’t you try a privacy tree like the American Holly? They grow to a height of 20-30 ft. and that’s their mature height. If you feel they have reached the height that you are looking for, just prune them down and give them a box-shaped trimming. View this link: http://www.fast-growing-trees.com/AmericanHolly.htm you will get a good idea of just how stunning an American Holly hedge looks.
There’s no need for making a wooden or metal fence at all with natural privacy trees and you can thus save up on your garden costs. An American Holly will look majestic when off-set by a brownstone. If you want a flowering privacy tree, you can try planting the Cleveland Pear Tree which grows in a naturally semi-oval shape. The white flowers look amazing as well.
I would start with a temporary screen. I’ve used window shade-like bamboo and willow roll-up screens which cover a large area cheaply and quickly.
Next, I would go with a vine which is suited to the exposure (sun, wind, moisture), is scaled to the location, and won’t become a pest. Wisteria is too large for this site. Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is a native vine which is semi-evergreen, won’t take over, and is of the right scale. Don’t confuse this with Trumpet VINE, another native vine which needs even more room and sun than Wisteria, or non-native honeysuckles (with fragrant flowers), which are invasive.
I would stay away from large woody plants, at least for the first few years, especially anything promoted as “provides quick cover.” These are going to quickly become a problem in the typical brownstone backyard.
We have a Wisteria plant you can have. Its a few years old, very healthy and very fast growing. Its growing on a chainlink fence we share with our neighbour and grows too fast for us to keep it in check. email brooklynwisteria@gmail.com. We’ll cut it back to a root ball for the winter and its free to a good home.
6′ fences are the max height. I asked that question at DOB open house and got that answer straight from the mouth of the folks who fine you for that sort of thing.
Thuja Green Giant trees. Evergreen. Grown 3-5 feet a year. I have the same situation. Covered the 10 ft high (already there) chain link fence with heather fencing (wired it to the fence) and planted a row of trees. In 5 years the 4 foot trees should be 20+ feet tall. No more ugly view. Plus, for me, the lot is north of our property, so even if a tower was built (which cannot happen per current zoning), no light will be blocked.
An acquaintance had a similar situation and planted a row of really fast-growing trees that are tall and narrow. The effect is really nice.
I can’t tell you what trees were planted, but I’m sure a good nursery could give you some advice and do the planting for you.
Interesting about the 6′ rule. Can anyone confirm this? The lot backs on to the parking lot of an apartment building. I’ve spoken to the owner and he says it can’t be sold as a separate lot, and regardless he has no intention of doing so. It falls in the calendared extension zone of the Stuy Heights historic district, so there are limits to what can be built.
i thought 6′ was the max for garden fences?
Maybe you want to have that high fence just along the back on the side with the empty lot because it will block light if you do it along the sides too. In my last garden I attached trellis all along the existing chain link fence – it is much easier and cheaper, and a little less claustrophobic. Then plant your climbing plants – although beware of wisteria – it’s really invasive. Also, there are these beautiful bamboo fences for sale at the Chelsea Garden Center in Red Hook (around 6 feet) – I attached those to the chain link along my new garden – and it looks amazing- gives it a kind of japanese garden feel. The point being, you can do the fence, but you can also do something cheaper and easier and it will look great too.