IF your garden has an ugly wall or fence that needs brightening up, there’s one flower for the job.
You can cover the eyesore and help to elevate your garden’s privacy in one go.
The experts at Gardener’s World named the best plant for the job, and detailed how to grow and prune it.
They recommended adding trumpet vines, officially known as Campsis, to your walls and fences.
The deciduous woody climbers feature red, orange, or yellow tubular flowers that bloom from late summer through to autumn.
Give these plants a large space to grow, ideally on a south-facing wall or a pergola in direct sunlight.
They will quickly cover a framework, but experts advise annual pruning to control growth.
Trumpet vines are known to cause skin irritation, so always wear gloves when handling.
Plant these vines against a large wall or fence, or you can train them up a trellis or pergola,
They can also be grown in large pots placed in a warm sheltered spot against a wall or fence.
While they are frost hardy, they thrive in warmer conditions, with full sunlight helping to ripen the new wood.
This improves hardiness and promotes prolific flowering, with the plants often growing to 12 metres with wall support.
They are ideal for adding privacy to your space and can spread for up to four metrese in width.
But be warned, trumpet vines can be invasive so be sure to grow them in containers to help restrict their spread.
TikTok garden pro Michael (@themediterraneangardener) also recommended the climbing plant for quick coverage of walls and fences.
He described the flower as “fast-growing”, explaining “it will quickly cover a wall or a fence”.
Trumpet vines are best planted in spring or early autumn and need to be watered thoroughly.
How to create privacy in your garden
CREATING privacy in your garden can be achieved in a number of ways depending on your budget, and the size of your space. Here are some effective ways to enhance privacy in your garden:
1. Fencing
- Install a tall, solid wooden or vinyl fence. This is one of the most straightforward ways to gain immediate privacy. Or use lattice panels, trellis, or slatted fencing to add a decorative touch while still offering privacy.
2. Hedges and Plants
- Fast-growing evergreen shrubs or trees like Leylandii, Thuja, or Bamboo along the boundary of your garden can help with privacy. Grow a dense hedge using plants like Boxwood, Privet, or Laurel. It may take time to grow, but it provides a natural and green privacy screen. Use climbers like Ivy, Clematis, or Wisteria on fences or trellises to create a lush, green privacy barrier.
3. Outdoor Curtains
- Hang outdoor curtains around pergolas, gazebos, or patios for an easy-to-adjust privacy solution.
4. Sound Barriers
- A water fountain or small waterfall can help drown out noise, adding to the sense of privacy. Or install fencing designed to reduce noise if privacy from sound is also a concern.
For the best results, mix organic matter such as garden compost into the planting area.
Dig a hole at least twice as wide as the pot and around the same depth.
This should be placed approximately 45 centimetres from the base of the wall or fence.
Loosen the soil at the edges of the hole and remove the plant from its pot, teasing out the roots.
Place the vines in the hole levelling the top of the rootball with the soil.
Then refill the hole and gently firm the soil around the plant, removing any air pockets.
As well as watering the plant, you should mulch with compost or chipped bark.
You can also tie the shoots into supports to start training the vine.
