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Eyesores in the Home Landscape- Part 1 : The Ugly FenceRead the article this discussion is about
This archived discussion is "read only".
» Barbara Nicholson Bell - Well done, Joseph! I like this solution, particularly since I did almost the same thing with the stockade fence around my patio. It is hard to find small plants to fit the small pots, isn't it? This year I used a combination of marigolds and coleus. I know it's an odd mix, but these were leftovers from other larger pots, and I didn't have money for more plants.Last year I used impatiens and trailing vinca. The vinca went wild and grew nearly ten feet long (from a height of about 6') and tangled among the hostas at the foot of the fence. Now, if someone can suggest a way to beautify a chain link fence that borders the rest of the yard, but belongs to our neighbors...I'd appreciate it! -- posted by Barbara Nicholson Bell
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Barb, Thanks for the kind words about Joseph and his creativity Actually, I do have at least one solution for a chain link fence...so stay tuned Georgene (AKA Ceris) -- posted by Georgene A. Bramlage » biogardener - Another problem To me, that monstrosity is not a fence but a wall. The worst problem with walls and other solid fences is not so much the looks but the problems which they cause. By blocking the flow of wind, they create the perfect environment for mildew.-- posted by biogardener » Barbara Nicholson Bell - Re: Another problem In response to message posted by biogardener:If his microclimate in Southern California is conducive to growing cacti, there may not be enough moisture to cause a mildew problem. My own patio is not only a very humid microclimate but gets little sun, so there is a lot of moss growing on the pavers. It's a problem just to get rid of standing water on surfaces to prevent mosquito breeding, for example. We are currently pricing the removal of several tall trees around the property to let in more sunlight. Sadly, these trees are old, majestic, provide privacy, etc. But their roots are destroying the patio, breaking up sewer pipes, and keeping any grass from growing in the backyard. One's property can contain several different microclimates depending on sunlight, soil differences, wind exposure, and winter conditions on different sides of the house. It's always a challenge! -- posted by Barbara Nicholson Bell
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Thanks, Jerru... There's another article similar to this one coming up in mid-September. Hopefully, that one will solve some problems for rnthusiastic and industrious gardeners Georgene (AKA Cercis) -- posted by Georgene A. Bramlage » CarolWallace - Re: Re: Another problem In response to message posted by bici:Walls can be tough. We have walls in my main garden that were once the foundation walls for an old barn. Actually, it was the sight of these "ruins" that inspired me to plant a garden. But I soon found that because of the heat the wall radiated and the way air didn't circulate well, I had to rule out a lot of plants that really were a bit finicky about how they grew. Luckily my wall has lots of chinks in it that hold soil, and I have stuffed them with sedums and sempervivum - and they thrive there, even in drought. Those were great planting suggestions. I always use the same philosophy - look for plants with interesting foliage colors and textures so that you have excitement even when nothing flowers. The wall looks great now! But if it had been my wall (a smooth one as opposed to my crumbling ruins) I might have been tempted to add one more embellishment. I have been experimenting with using heavy stencils and plaster to create raised stenciled patterns on the wall. I have some stencils that resemble fluted columns, and a large urn with flowers, cat tails, etc. - even an 8' tree. Mix powdered wood putty with white glue and it is sturdy enough to hold up through outdoor conditions and can add additional relief from that bare expanse - it can even be tinted to add color. (But that's just me - I can't resist a bare expanse of surface like that. The wall now looks lovelty as it is.) -- posted by CarolWallace
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Carol...how neat! Powdered wood putty with white glue I probably look at blank spaces and plants the way you look at walls Perhaps one of these days Joseph, owner of the fence in the article, might be tempted to embellish it...or perhaps change his plants or plant holders. Hopefully, he will keep us informed Georgene (AKA Cercis) -- posted by Georgene A. Bramlage » CarolWallace - Re: Another problem & More Ideas In response to message posted by Cercis:Let me look up the exact recipe - I know it has help up on fairly rough stucco in Seattle. I've only done it indoors, using joint compound, which is definitely not weatherproof. <img SRC=http://www.suite101.com/files/topics/174... align=right>Here is the 8' tree I did on my upstairs hallway wall. Sorry you can't really see the dimensionality, but it's a very narrow hall and this was the only angle I could manage. But I have a friend who used the putty/glue mix and used it on the back wall of her stucco house. The stencils are not really really thick - but you can do it twice - lining it up over the first stenciling to get a double thickness. And the mixture can be tinted in various ways if you want something colorful although it looks quite elegant when simply painted the same color as the wall. I liked mine in plain white because if reminded me of Wedgwood china. I look at blank spaces and plants the way you do - although I've had to learn to curb my tendency to fill all our blank spots with things that need tending. Nearly three acres of garden might be a bit much for one lone gardener. ;-) -- posted by CarolWallace
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Georgene A. Bramlage
I think it looks neat and because it is Southern CA, the plants should be able to stay out all winter and grow larger...becoming very stunning 