If you've visited my garden either in person or on my blog, you may remember that for years now, I've had this view of my neighbor's back garden from a path in my garden and glimpse part of it from my kitchen window.
It's been a lovely view but our new neighbor decided to put up a fence for some privacy in her back yard.
At first, I thought I'd not like it as it will reduce the late afternoon sun in that area and in the bamboo grove. But now that it's nearing completion, I'm finding that I like the sense of enclosure and privacy in my own space.
There will be some sort of spherical finials on the posts and corbels of some sort on either side of the posts. Our neighbor (who is wonderful BTW) will be painting her side and says we can do whatever we want with our side. Please forgive the mess, I've not cleaned up this area since the mess of cleaning out the garage for the conversion last fall.
I'm loving the enclosure and the natural wood color but have the opportunity to put any color here like Majorelle blue and yellow or terracotta. Once the tree whose trunk you're viewing, gets it's leaves, the area becomes darker. The tree, an Albizia julibrissin (Mimosa) could go. Would you keep the natural wood color and seal it so it stays looking that way, leave the fence to go gray, or use a paint color? If you were going to go with a color, what would it be?
I don't have experience with fences, but since our homes are built on a hill there is a lot of concrete foundation exposed. My one neighbor has painted it a dark grey which is a wonderful photographic backdrop, and the other neighbor has left theirs unpainted, so a light concrete color. It's also quite a nice backdrop, but not much of a "wow" factor. Since your side is so shady, I wonder if a light color wouldn't be best? How long does fence stain last in the PNW? Paint always scares me a little as it's a one-way street (once you paint it, it's painted forever without a ton of work).
ReplyDeleteI suspect you could let it age for a season before having to decide.
You're right, I can always wait and probably will. Light color because of the shade would be good. Fence stain has to be re applied every year or two here. I think it'll depend on what the neighbor does with her side, with the spherical finials, and the corbels. Might just try and match her color.
DeleteI have let all the fences around my property age naturally, except for the short piece with the fancy gate. So I would probably tend to let one like yours age naturally too. If it's cedar, I think it won't really need a preservative, right? Your neighbor chose a lovely fence. I too like the sense of enclosure that it brings.
ReplyDeleteLetting it age naturally is very attractive to me because it requires no work. I must admit that I like the natural wood very much and wonder if the eventual bleached gray will be as appealing. We have that in the inherited fence that surrounds the rest of the back yard.
DeleteI like natural aging--in people and in fences. But that doesn't mean I get to stop exercising. Oh, wait. I was supposed to be talking about the fence. Naturally!
ReplyDeleteAging naturally will probably be what happens unless the neighbor comes up with something amazing that I want to copy.
DeleteThis is the kind of question that keeps me up at night, mulling over the options. I would love for our fences to be stained a dark dark almost black color, since the one across the back isn't ours, and I worry about the stain seeping through to the other side, we've chosen to just let them all age out to grey. That doesn't answer your question though does it?
ReplyDeleteIt's what you are doing and that sort of answers the question. Unless the neighbor's color is so fantastic that I have to copy it, aging naturally will probably be what I do, too.
DeleteDo you want the fence to be a focal point: yellow, orange or bright blue; or just background? Paint calls attention, shouting "Here's the lot line," or "Exit, stage left."
ReplyDeleteThe Mimosa will probably go on, on its own eventually. That's what they do here but there are almost always seedlings for the next 40 years.
I like the fence being a backdrop but the natural wood color is so nice that it got me thinking about other color possibilities.
DeleteMimosas don't reseed here so they aren't the weedy pests that they are in the south. We have a few fairly old specimens in the area but mostly I see youngish trees.
Painting with a strong shade may cause bleeding on the other side which may cause problems, although that can be remedied with perhaps cladding your side with thin panels that you can then paint. What about black which will enhance the sense of enclosure? The space looks just as fab, if not better with those fences now up :)
ReplyDeleteI'd not considered black. As one progresses down the path, it goes through the bamboo grove which is the shadiest area in my garden so black might make it feel even darker unless black just fades into the background and makes the green really pop. The lumber that the carpenter is using is a tongue in groove business so the fence is solid with no holes for air circulation and little worry of paint bleed. The great thing about paint is that the color can be changed as often as you want.
DeleteThis seems to be a perennial quandary for gardeners. I've painted a fence just once (white) but that was a no-brainer as it was a small area adjoining white stucco walls. Pam at Digging recently posted on painting hers dark gray, which I was surprised to find I liked but that fence had lots of openings so it didn't look too dark. The few fences inherited with my current garden are natural but they've discolored unevenly as a result of exposure to irrigation in spots. I suggest living with it awhile before your decide.
ReplyDeleteVery wise advice, Kris! This is exactly what I'll do as there are so many other things that need attention right now. The first time we painted our house, we painted big plywood sheets and hung those on the side to see what combinations would look like. Perhaps I'll do the same with the fence as we still have plywood around and it would be a great way to audition a lot of different options.
DeleteI love natural wood, either aged or stained, but depending on how dark it gets once the albizia leafs out, perhaps a light paint color would be better. You have a much more developed sense of color than I do, I think, and bolder taste (not a bad thing) so I could see you having fun with something crazy.
ReplyDeleteA Trompe-l'œil painting of a great garden would be fabulous. Perhaps the scene looking out through the arches on the porch of Rare Plant Research with a view of the lake, gazebo and surrounding gardens. Natural wood will probably be what happens for a while.
DeleteI like that new wood look..weathered gray (except at the coast) not so much. If it were up to me, I'd clear coat the fence to keep it looking that way. If I wanted to brighten the background, I'd then hang a fabric panel or banner. That's just how I think, but I'm always surprised and often delighted by the solutions others come up with.
ReplyDeleteThis wood is so beautiful just this way that clear coat was the first thing that came to mind. I hadn't thought of hanging a fabric panel to brighten the background - a great idea!
DeleteThat new fence looks very snazzy! I like the idea of painting the fence a dark colour, but then again, you could always train climbers up it as well. Think of all that new planting space your garden has just gained :-), Matt
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately most of the soil beneath the fence is filled with bamboo roots and the space is very dark even though it looks bright and cheery right now so the plant choices for that area are fairly limited but I like your optimistic outlook!
DeleteI love placing mirrors in the shade to reflect the light and to make the space look larger. Since I have had my tool shed painted with a mural and helped a friend paint it, I've entertained the idea of having a panel that I can remove when I want but paint a scene on the panel...maybe even several panels that I can change out from season to season. I talk a lot about doing things but spend my spare time weeding and maintaining instead of doing all of the projects that I want to do. This still doesn't answer your question about the rest of the fence that would be showing, though, does it? Would it weather or rot if left unpainted? Because of the bleeding from the other side I would probably paint it the same color or use the panels as suggested earlier. Will your be on the NPA open garden tour? Karen Mashburn
ReplyDeleteHi Karen, Funny you should mention mirrors as I have one at the end of this path, up against the garage/now greenhouse. and have had others where the fence is now. They were moved to allow the fence to be built but putting them back is always an option. Your shed with the mural is beautiful. I remember seeing it on the NPA garden tour last year. My garden isn't ready of a tour - too full of weeds and mistakes but you're welcome to come over and see it any time.
DeleteWow! It was a beautiful view (1st pic)! But, I also like the sense of enclosure.
ReplyDeleteIt's a tough question - what to do with the fence. Sleep on it, and one day you'll wake up with a decision.
Wise advice my friend!
DeleteOh gosh, I think it looks great this color, which complements your blues. So I'd probably either seal it to maintain the color or go with a terra cotta stain/paint. It's great that your neighbor is pleasant and that you're cooperating on this. Kudos to you for looking on the bright side of the change.
ReplyDeleteI like it this color too and will probably leave it alone for a while. We've been so lucky with our neighbors in that house!
DeleteI love the enclosure as well. It highlights the area under the mimosa by sealing it off from the neighbor's garden. I'm a fan of the natural wood color, but I know from experience that sealing it annually is a huge (and unattainable) commitment. You can enjoy the natural color for a while, and as the years go by you'll have time to contemplate a color choice.
ReplyDeleteIt is really nice to have the view, albeit beautiful, blocked. as the eye gets to rest. I like your plan as it requires me to do nothing which is what I'm best at.
DeleteAs it is in a shady area, I would be tempted to let it go naturally grey unless you really want to be painting it every couple of years. Where we have put up fences, pergolas, archways etc, they have ended up green with algae in all the shady places!
ReplyDeleteI'm imagining that this will end up naturally green as well!
DeleteI would keep the natural wood color and would paint drying oil, Peter.
ReplyDeleteMy garden is fenced too and I think it's nice thing I have.
The natural wood color is very nice.
DeleteDear Mr. TOG ... You always make me snort giggle with your comments on my side .. THANK YOU ! .. clothes optional ? haha
ReplyDeleteWell you already know I am a FAN of fences .. mine may look a bit utilitarian in this bare stage but I love it as a back drop to the vines, trees and plants and this will be it's first full year.
We are going to let it weather naturally .. less work and more "natural" but everyone has their own preferences, so I think what ever makes your garden heart happy is what you should do!!
Have fun .. let your wonderful personality out and enjoy it !
I have to say .. holy crap ! your neighbor's garden is amazing !!!! .. I would feel dwarfed by such a garden .. it is a botanical and museum wonder !!!
Take care
Joy : )
Good fences do make good neighbors !!!