Block out the blight
The foolproof ways to conceal eyesores beyond your boundary
FOR some, it’s the uninterrupted view of a not-so-lovely neighbouring house or building that blights the outlook from their garden. Others might look beyond their boundaries towards something equally displeasing on the eye, such as an electricity pylon or wind turbine. They may even have a plot that contains an eyesore – oil tanks, decrepit sheds and plastic wheelie bins all come to mind.
I inherited a rectangular garden enclosed by tatty trellis panels on two sides that ran down to a crumbling 6ft tall boundary wall at the bottom. Looming above the brick barrier, about 24ft from the fringes of my property, was the back of someone else’s house that featured a veranda topped with a corrugated plastic roof and an ugly dormer loft conversion.
The good news is there are many ways of hiding, disguising or distracting from ugly things, whether they are within your garden or outside its confines.
I’ve blocked out offending parts of the house opposite by carefully positioning some trees and shrubs along my perimeter, and replaced the down-at-heel trellis with attractive slatted fence panels.
As far as I’m concerned, it’s worth dealing with eyesores rather than living with them. Not only do they ruin the impact of a carefully planted border or manicured lawn, but they make the garden a less pleasant place for eating, relaxing and entertaining.
In the long run, tackling displeasing sights will also make your property more desirable should you decide to sell.
LIKE me, many people with gardens in cities, towns and built-up areas have a ringside view of an adjacent building (or buildings in many cases).
If it’s something attractive, such as an historic church or iconic piece of architecture, make the most of its presence by using a technique known as ‘framing the view’ – opening existing boundaries if they obstruct your line of sight. However, it’s more likely that the buildings will be plain or ugly, and possibly infringe upon your privacy.
So a few vertical accent plants set around the perimeter will help mask eyesores, while a row of standard pleached trees (sometimes called a ‘hedge on stilts’) are ideal for elevated screening above a wall or fence, blocking out the sight of a neighbouring house.
If you have a tiny garden, don’t surround it with a tall hedge – it will leave you feeling boxed in and make your garden look even smaller. A clever trick is to set a group of three narrow, upright specimens towards the centre of the space – their tops will intermingle to provide some privacy, while their vertical structure will draw the eye, ensuring your gaze remains within the garden. Another way of concealing poor views (and guard against prying eyes) is to add internal dividers, such as woven hurdles, slatted panels and foldable garden screens – but don’t use too many or your garden will end up looking like a maze. Pergolas, retractable side awnings and parasols are ideal around seating areas and will also provide shade. It’s not always possible to obscure external eyesores. For example, if you’re in a city close to tower blocks. In these circumstances, add some distractions to prevent yourself from looking up. A nice sculpture, urn on a pedestal or an architectural plant will do the trick. Another option is to install a water feature.
Next, turn your attention to tatty structures within your garden. If it’s possible to repair rotting or broken parts, then do so. Once it’s in better shape, give it a paint job.
Treating timber fences, sheds, arches and similar will extend the life of wood and provide a decorative touch. Coating gates, railings and other metal objects with a specialist paint will prevent unsightly rust.
Climbing plants are essential for hiding a multitude of sins, whether its pebble dashing on a house, a crumbling garden wall or tree stump. Many popular types, such as clematis and honeysuckle, need supports adding to surfaces before planting. If that sounds too complicated, try a trumpet vine, climbing hydrangea or another self-clinging species.
In the front garden, a fleet of different coloured wheelie bins makes an unattractive focal point. Prevent them from dominating by snapping up a timber wheelie bin storage unit – double and triple units are available – or build your own.