Fence/Foliage Problem

[cabinetman]

On one side of the house which is all windows, we want to improve our view. Our neighbor has a "fence system" which is inside of his property line, which is about 10' from our house.

The fence was at one time a 4' high chain link, and then at a later time a 6' high wood stockade fence was added on the neighbors side. So, when we look at it, we see both fences, which are together.

We've been trying to decide what to do. We thought about maybe planting something decorative, but there's about 60' of it. Whatever we do there, we don't want to use up a lot of space, as there is only 10' to start with. At the front of the house, 20' of the 60' is a border to our driveway.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
.

[MikeMcCoy]

When I lived in Pensacola I had good luck with Confederate Jasmine. It's fairly easy to control on your side but eventually it will overwhelm your neighbors fence.

[dbhost]

Eh, plant a line of Pecan trees... You will eventually get a really nice shady canopy, all the Pecans you can stand, and when the time comes, plenty of lumber to work with!

[crokett]

Well....

Here people plant leland cyprus to act as border. Problem is they will grow upwards of 30' unless you cut them back ad I do not think there is room between the chain link and your driveway. Do you want the 6' fence blocked too? Have you considered getting flowering vines and planting them to grow on the chain link fence. When they grow in and flower they will hide the fence somewhat. They will also fit between the fence and your driveway.

[jlm]

Since the chain link is on your side, it sounds like a good choice for a climbing vine. I had two passion vines at my old house that started as tiny little clipping from a larger vine. Three years later, the vines were more than 25 feet long, and very voluminous. This was in the Chicago area, so I imagine they'd grow even faster in Florida. You could probably have all 60' of fence covered in a year or two with six or eight healthy starter vines. They expand pretty quickly, so you have to be kind of vigilant with the little seedling vines that pop up to keep them under control, but they have very shallow roots, so you can just pluck them up by hand when they're small.

The flowers are very exotic looking, and smell great:

[cabinetman]

Since the chain link is on your side, it sounds like a good choice for a climbing vine. I had two passion vines at my old house that started as tiny little clipping from a larger vine. Three years later, the vines were more than 25 feet long, and very voluminous. This was in the Chicago area, so I imagine they'd grow even faster in Florida. You could probably have all 60' of fence covered in a year or two with six or eight healthy starter vines. They expand pretty quickly, so you have to be kind of vigilant with the little seedling vines that pop up to keep them under control, but they have very shallow roots, so you can just pluck them up by hand when they're small.

The flowers are very exotic looking, and smell great:

I was hoping to come up with an idea that was a little faster than that. I don't have a green thumb. I need plants that thrive on neglect. I've even had artificial plants die from over watering, or too much light.
.

[leehljp]

You want fast? Kudzu!

On the tree issue - if I read between the lines you don't want something that takes up more space and trees will. It won't be long before you will be dealing with tree limbs on his side and your side. DAMHIKT.

While you may not want to wait two or three years, that is probably the best course. Buy a dozen or two or more vines and set them out. In a year, you will be surprised.

[southernbob]

Use your woodworking skills to build an out-of-ordinary fence (AKA fancy fence) and
plant palm trees in front of it (Christmas palms for height and pygmy date palms for low. Flower boxes/small fountain can be added.
Stay away from a ficus hedge as whiteflys are killing them.

Sun Sentinel columns on passion vines:

From today Sun_Sentinel gardening Q&A
Can passion vine be planted outside in a pot or in the ground?

Passion vine can be planted outside in the ground. The vine can be aggressive and sucker all over the yard. Locate it where it can be controlled in a sunny spot.


From a previous column on passion vine
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features...2305642.column