Question: What's the best way to hide a brick wall in my yard?
Answer: While some people like the solid and traditional look and feel of a brick wall, others might find it a bit institutional looking - like they are being fortressed in to their own yard. Depending on what's butted up against the wall - a lawn, maybe a patio, or a garden border - with some research and do-it-yourself skills, you can cover up that plain wall in a weekend.
Or, at least start to.
One of the most-obvious solutions will be to plant fast-growing hedges, vines, or small trees. While best-performing species vary according to region, you might want to look into the following evergreen plants.
Evergreen Shrubs:
- Boxwood: Buxus
- Cape Honeysuckle:Tecoma capensis
- Glossy Abelia: Abelia grandiflora
- Heavenly Bamboo: Nandina domestica
- Holly: Ilex
- Juniper: Juniperus
- Pittosporum
- Podocarpus
- Privet
- Yew: Taxus
Evergreen Vines
- Bougainvillea
- Cissus
- Crossvine: Bignonia capreolata
- Euonymous fortunei
- Jasmine: Jasminum (various)
- Lilac Vine: Hardenbergia
Espalier
Training shrubs or small trees across the fence - called espalier - is a very effective way of using both vertical and horizontal space of a fence or wall. Trees and shrubs with flexible limbs are trained to grow against a wall fence or lattice, often at sharp right angles. This can be done with small fruit trees, and is also a great idea when you're yard is small.
Add Paint
While you might want to seriously reconsider painting the wall a fluorescent orange, painting a wall or fence obviously adds color and some interest to the yard.
Pick up on other colors repeated throughout the yard, like colors in pool tile, pottery, outdoor cushions and pillows, or furniture. Buy a small test jar, apply it to the surface, and look at it for a couple days before deciding on a certain color.
Accessorize
Wall pots, trellises that lean up or affix against walls and fences, vertical garden containers, fence decorations (sundials, flat sculptures, artwork, etc.) are all ways to hide a plain or unsightly wall or fence and add something besides plantlife.
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