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Border patroL
Define your outdoor space with a boundary feature that suits your style. Read on for the material options
Paint: Dulux Colorsteel Flaxpod W ith not much going on in the garden, winter is a good time to work on hardscape elements in the backyard. While walls and fences often fade into the background, they can play a vital part in framing your garden, helping to unify and highlight your landscape as well as defining boundaries and keeping unwanted visitors out. It’s important that they’re functional, but who says they can’t be decorative, too? Here are some of the most popular options.
Timber fencing The advantage of timber is that it’s versatile and adaptable. “There are so many different types of timber fences available, one to suit every style of property,” says Katrina Christison from Tidy Gardens (tidygardens. co.nz). “From solid timber panels to pretty picket fences, the possibilities are only limited by your imagination.” Timber can also be easily painted in any colour, although dark shades are popular as they reduce the visible impact of the fence and help to make greenery pop. Timber does have a shorter life span (15-30 years) than most other materials, but with the right know-how, it’s relatively simple to replace.
Regular maintenance and ensuring there is adequate drainage will maximise the life span of a timber fence
Steel panels “Steel fences are a step up the price ladder from timber fences, however Colorsteel does provide a very durable, maintenancefree fencing option,” says Nigel. “It’s often used for a more industrial look and works well in a modern environment.” Since it’s pre-fabricated, steel panel fencing is less labour intensive and quite straightforward to install. The downside? Steel panels are not very thick. “They can be dented quite easily,” says Katrina Christison. A more decorative option is laser-cut oxidising steel. “There are all sorts of pre-made laser-cut panels, but some manufacturers will make one-of-a-kind custom designs for a personal touch,” adds Katrina.
Brick and block walls Brick walls are great at withstanding the elements, absorbing and radiating heat, so they can be a high-performing part of passive solar design. “Solid masonry walls are excellent as heat stores that produce radiant heat,” says Nigel Cameron of Cameron Landscape Design Limited (cameronlandscapedesign.co.nz). They also offer a major advantage when it comes to noise reduction. “For sound barriers there’s no substitute for density,” says Nigel. Stone and solid concrete are among the best, however they do come at a cost for materials and once placed, they can be difficult to remove or modify.
Masonry and besser block walls provide more design and finishing options, from solid privacy walls through to block piers that can be painted or used with other fencing options like glass.
Patterned panels can add interest and appeal to a garden border
Aluminium railings Adam Rassam, group sales manager of Protector Aluminium, says, “Aluminium is incredibly versatile. It’s available in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit tricky corners,
spaces or levels and can be easily welded into the desired shape. Plus, it can be used for security, decorative and safety purposes, like pool and balustrade fencing.” Since aluminium fencing isn’t solid, it won’t completely block out views, and lets light and airflow through. Installing aluminium is easier than most traditional fencing options and a little TLC with a soft brush and mild detergent will prolong its life.
FAST AND FURIOUS If you’re looking to plant a privacy hedge or screen, try these fast-growing options
Photinia ‘Red Robin’ A rapid grower with gorgeous crimson-red new growth contrasting against lush green leaves. Grows to 2m
Viburnum ‘Dense Fence’ Quick to establish and requires little maintenance. The large glossy leaves are ideal for tropical garden designs. Grows to 3.5m if left unpruned
Chinese star jasmine Heavenly scented star-shaped white flowers cover the vines of this climber in spring. Train along the top of a fence or over a lattice. Climber
Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’ Robust rambling rose with fluffy butter-yellow blooms, thornless stems and shiny darkgreen foliage. Grow it against a wall or over an archway. Grows to 6m
Tension wire trellis
Growing up Climbing plants are a great way to dress up a fence or wall, but bear in mind how they grow to give them the best support. Climbers like creeping fig or ornamental grape (Vitus vinifera) stick to walls with sucker pads or aerial roots, and can leave a mark when removed. They’re ideal for hiding ugly brick walls, but for fences it’s best to use climbers that twist (or ‘twine’) around supports, like jasmine, or latch on with tendrils, like passionfruit.
“I’m a big fan of creepers and climbers for the softening of walls and fences using reliable species like star jasmine, hardenbergia and Ficus pumila [creeping fig],” says Nigel. “Wires attached in a diagonal diamond or vertical and horizontal square pattern can make a fence look a million dollars once covered.”
“Espalier trees, such as camellia, are another great option as they can be grown against a wall or a fence,” adds Katrina. “Wires between fence posts can also be used for extra support and to train the tree.”
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Boundary buys
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Hedging plants There is an almost endless range of hedging choices available to suit your needs. “Hedging is an old-time favourite for boundaries and borders that is making a comeback,” says Nigel. “All sorts of trees and shrubs can produce a great hedge.” Soil, drainage and sun are elements to consider when making your choice, as is the plant’s speed of growth and ongoing maintenance. “Generally speaking, smaller leaves lend themselves to more formal clipping, with bigger-leaved species a more casual alternative,” adds Nigel.
To grow a great hedge, it is important to get the preparation right first by removing all the vegetation where you are going to plant, says Katrina. “A good fertiliser in the bottom of each hole will give the plants the best start in life,” she suggests. ◆
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1 150mm x 19mm x 1800mm fence paling. 2 Protector Aluminium 2450mm x 1200mm flat top pool fence panel in Black, $123, I/N: 8906437. 3 Williams ’Oriental’ 1800mm x 900mm trellis panel, $110, I/N: 0251842. 4 Peak ‘Sheffield’ 860mm no dig fence panel, $69, I/N: 3042408. 5 Trellis and edging 1800mm x 1800mm x 42mm square fence panel, $260, I/N: 0045948. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.
For more beautiful hedging plant ideas, turn to page 66
Magnolia ‘Little Gem’ Large, handsome, glossy green foliage with golden-russet undersides. Stunning creamywhite fragrant blooms cover the plant in spring. Grows to 4m
Corokia ‘Geentys Green’ Hardy native evergreen shrub with thick, easily pruned foliage, star-shaped yellow flowers in summer and bright orange non-edible berries in autumn. Grows to 2m
Pittosporum ‘Screen Master’ Vigorous, bushy and upright hedge with variegated silver-grey foliage. Given the right conditions, it can grow up to 1m annually. Grows to 5-6m
Port wine magnolia (Michelia figo) Dense evergreen shrub with light-green glossy leaves. The small, cup-like cream-andburgundy flowers have a sweet port-wine scent. Grows to 3m
PROTECT AGAINST MOULD GROWTH * *
