Garden Style

The Sunday Age

Sunday April 6, 2008

Jim Fogarty

These boundary markers come in more shades than plain paling, writes Jim Fogarty.

One of the most necessary features of exterior design, fences have come a long way from being boundary delineators. Modern fencing is also about security and aesthetics. Fences are getting bigger, thus making more of an imposing presence on the landscape. The upshot is that homeowners are putting more value on a good, strong fence with aesthetic appeal.

The stalwart

There are endless possibilities in the design of fences today and the use of materials. But budget remains a key constraint - which is why the quick and cheap paling fence, built into the Australian psyche, remains the standard choice. But with houses now taking up a large portion of land allotments, plain boundary fences can block most of our window views. Putting a bit more thought into fencing can add a lot to your garden but, more importantly, it adds to the views of your garden from your house.

To improve a paling fence, paint or stain it in a colour complementary to your house. Darker colours are a better option as they help to mask the fence, drawing focus to the more attractive things in your garden. Let new fences sit for two to three months before treatment, as the timber can shrink and leave lines. Stains are great for fences as you still get to see the timber grain but there is nothing wrong with using an acrylic paint. If you are looking at painting or staining your fence yourself, ask at your hire shop about using an airless sprayer. Don't use a brush as it can take days, especially if you apply more than one coat.

Front fences

Front fences are the most visible fences in a garden and should be treated with more respect than side and back fences. A front fence is constantly on display and a good one will have a positive effect on property value. Period features are important when marrying a front fence to a period home. Pickets and iron are popular with Victorian homes, brick fences with Edwardian homes, and rendered walls with Georgian houses.

Modern options: steel fences Ripple iron was used as a fence material in Victorian times and the modern version of this (corrugated Zincalume or mini orb) can add a fresh look to a Victorian house. Some of Melbourne's most famous National Trust homes still have ripple iron boundary fences; Como House is a great example.

Steel is versatile and strong and can be easily formed to create decorative scrolls and twists, which is great for blending a modern and traditional look. Steel can be powder-coated or brush-painted in period or modern colours. A rusted finish can also add charm. The ability to laser cut steel has opened many options for designs in steel sheets. Laser-cut patterns (sometimes called perforated steel) come in several standard shapes of circles and squares but can also be customised in many different pattern configurations and sizes.

Concealing an ugly fence

Climbing plants are great for concealing boundary fences. A self-clinging climber is best, as you don't need to use cables to train them on. Ivy can be very invasive and will always become a problem, but Virginian creeper (Parthenocissus quinqifolia), Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata), and silver vein creeper (Parthenocissus henryana) are less intrusive, easy to control, and have great autumn toning.

Using plants as fences

In older gardens plant material was often used as a fence line. A hedge can be clipped into a solid wall and tops can be curved or flat, depending on the style you want. Wire mesh can be used within the hedge for extra security and to keep pets enclosed. Some great hedges for Melbourne gardens are Luma apiculata, Escallonia iveyii, Camellia sp. (C. Japonica seems to tolerate the dry quite well) as well as Ligustrum sp., (Privet) and Prunus lusitanica (Portugese Laurel). Native hedges can also be formed using Callistemon sp. (Bottle Brush) and forms of Grevillea. For coastal situations try Coastal Banksia (Banksia integrifolia) and tea tree (Leptospermum laevigatum).

PLANT FOCUS

Parthenocissus tricuspidata

This is a great deciduous self-clinging climber for concealing unattractive fences and walls. Large green leaves turn a brilliant red in autumn before dropping for winter. Commonly known as Boston ivy, plant in either a full sun or shady spot and tip prune to keep neat during the growing season.

Clematis sp.

A vibrant flowering spring and summer climber that comes in colours ranging from deep blues to lilacs, red, pinks, yellow and whites. Plant root balls in a cool shady spot. Clematis is a great colour addition to a picket fence and the showy flowers will add a boost to your garden. Prune in winter to prevent woodiness and to promote healthy bushy growth in spring.

Escallonia iveyii

An evergreen shrub that makes a great green fence (hedge) up to two metres high. Glossy leaves adorn this tough shrub, making it an ideal screen. White flowers appear in summer. A great drought-hardy green hedge for Melbourne gardens.

© 2008 The Sunday Age

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