I live in a house which is on the corner of two roads and the house is much wider than deep. So the back garden is much wider (18m) than deep (6m). At the bottom if the garden is an 18m long hedge, running exactly East-West, made up of about 20 Leylandii; and immediately behind this is a close boarded fence erected by our neighbours a few years ago. (Previously there was a 1m high chain link fence - probably put there when the estate was built about 25 years ago - but this was removed).
When we moved here, about nine years a go, the leylandii were about 4m high, so we had them brought down to about 2m. They have also been clipped twice a year.
Over the past year or two, possibly since the close boarded fence was put up, we have noticed large patches of brown appearing on the leylandii and the interior of the 'hedge' seems to be dying off. I don't know if this is due to the presence of the fence or disease. (The fence is on the south side of the hedge so it will reduce the amount of light reaching the hedge.)
Whatever the reason for the brown patches, we feel it is time to get rid of the hedge and replace it with something more attractive. The problem is what?
Most advice sites, e.g the RHS, suggest a climber, but this is where I have a dilemma. The boundary is, according to the deeds, my responsibility, but the new fence is owned by the neighbours. If I allow the climbers to attach themselves to the fence am I committing any offence, e.g trespass?
Also, I would like suggestions as to what plants to use which will quickly hide the fence. The soil is mainly clay, the fence runs east- west and is on the south side of the plants.
When we moved here, about nine years a go, the leylandii were about 4m high, so we had them brought down to about 2m. They have also been clipped twice a year.
Over the past year or two, possibly since the close boarded fence was put up, we have noticed large patches of brown appearing on the leylandii and the interior of the 'hedge' seems to be dying off. I don't know if this is due to the presence of the fence or disease. (The fence is on the south side of the hedge so it will reduce the amount of light reaching the hedge.)
Whatever the reason for the brown patches, we feel it is time to get rid of the hedge and replace it with something more attractive. The problem is what?
Most advice sites, e.g the RHS, suggest a climber, but this is where I have a dilemma. The boundary is, according to the deeds, my responsibility, but the new fence is owned by the neighbours. If I allow the climbers to attach themselves to the fence am I committing any offence, e.g trespass?
Also, I would like suggestions as to what plants to use which will quickly hide the fence. The soil is mainly clay, the fence runs east- west and is on the south side of the plants.