Eyesores in the Home Landscape- Part 1 : The Ugly Fence

Joseph Falit, a reader from Southern California's San Gabriel Valley, wanted to draw attention from the wall that bordered one side of his property. Here is Joseph's account of this challenge, how he dealt with it and pictures of his completed project.

A leaning plastered fence marks the perimeter along one side of the backyard of my recently purchased home. I wanted to draw attention away from this barrier and focus attention onto something pleasant. However, we are on a strict budget, so I needed an inexpensive solution.

I found some decorative potholders at a local bargain store and bought the four remaining ones. My thinking was that by filling them with pots of attractive plants and strategically hanging them along the fence, I could "break up this eye sore."

However, once home, I realized that the rings of these potholders will accept only four-inch pots. I needed to know, "What types of plants will grow well in tiny pots like these?" My plant requirements were that they be colorful and flowering, and could thrive in full sun for half the day.

Georgene (Cercis) suggested small succulents (eschevarias, sempervivums, etc.) and perhaps some members of the cacti family. Her rationale was that though some of these plants might not have much in the way of colorful flowers, their shapes, colors and textures more than make up for the lack of flowers. She also suggested planting them in commercially available cacti potting soil for a mixture that is porous and quick draining.

I am very happy with the inexpensive "Make Over" for my ugly wall. Moreover, since I took these photos, my neighbor has removed the wooden "wall extension".

I think my next project is adding a bit of trellis to the top of the wall.

Joseph is pleased with his results and is now well on his way to becoming a discerning gardener and home owner. I was happy to help him and thrilled that he respected my advice. He, like many other readers, appreciates the help received from Suite101 Contributing Editors (CE).

There are more than two dozen CEs within the Suite101 Garden Community writing about a great variety of garden and landscape-related topics. We CEs also contribute to the Forum on the Garden Community of Interest (COI)Page.