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Tall edible or useful plants for screening and to look nice
Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 12:13 pm
by T0m D34d
For some privacy (very low fence and wall), and to make my edible garden look pretty I want to grow some thing to act as a screen' whilst not blocking out all of the sunlight. On one side I'm thinking of putting some trellises up and growing climbing nasturtiums and peas up. Also with some sunflowers. Does anyone have any other recommendations for climbing plants with edible crop or edible flowers?
Then, on the other side I want to grow some quick growing plants either edible or useful for making things out of (like bamboo?) but it has to be quick growing. Does anyone have any ideas for this?
Thank you
Tom
Re: Tall edible or useful plants for screening and to look nice
Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 12:19 pm
by pelmetman
Hi Tom
Why not try runner beans and french beans.
One word of warning unless you have a very large plot I wouldn't recommend planting quick growing bamboo, before you know it will take over everywhere. The black bamboo, although more expensive is slower growing and looks great.

Re: Tall edible or useful plants for screening and to look nice
Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 12:36 pm
by JillStephens7
Hello
You could maybe leave the bamboo in big pots and submerge them in the soil to keep it under control

?
I'd go with pelmetman's suggestions of runners and french beans.
You could you do some hanging baskets of cherry tomatoes & strawberries if you have something to hang them on? THey're always nice. I love Tumbling Toms.
What about a standard cordon (?) type Fruit tree? My mum & dad have an apple and it's less than 15 cm at it's widest point in full fruit so wouldn't block too much light
Jill
Re: Tall edible or useful plants for screening and to look nice
Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 7:32 am
by Carltonian Man
[quote="JillStephens7"]
You could maybe leave the bamboo in big pots and submerge them in the soil to keep it under control /quote]
Likewise with Jerusalem artichokes, maybe put them in rubble sacks
Re: Tall edible or useful plants for screening and to look nice
Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 7:56 am
by Mrs Moustoir
How about a kiwi vine? These grow mega quickly and you can now get self fertile ones rather than the old male/female plants.
A friend of mine grows one to conceal a rather tatty shed and she gets lots of fruit from it.
Re: Tall edible or useful plants for screening and to look nice
Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 5:19 pm
by T0m D34d
Thanks for the answers,
On one side I've made some support fdrom bamboo and twine for climbing plants to grow up, and planted sugar snaps and some other peas. also climbing nasturtiums and in front some sunflowers, also with the odd sweet pea.
On the other I now have some cordon fruit trees, 2 apple and 2 plum, in massive pots (but dug in to the soil) as I rent and will want to take them with me.
Now I'm looking for something to grow inbetween and liking the idea of japanese wineberry but I may look into the kiwi idea.
I can't wait for it all to grow up now :-)
Re: Tall edible or useful plants for screening and to look nice
Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 5:30 pm
by JillStephens7
Sounds great

Re: Tall edible or useful plants for screening and to look nice
Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 12:18 am
by Jessiebean
Please remember to post some pictures when it is all grown!
Re: Tall edible or useful plants for screening and to look nice
Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 11:09 am
by Pennylane
This all sounds lovely,you could always grow some tomatoes plants in pots to fill the gaps if the trellis is not strong enough to hang baskets, I grew ornamental gourds over a trellis for Autumn decorations once, very interesting shapes and lovely colours.
Re: Tall edible or useful plants for screening and to look nice
Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 2:17 pm
by theabsinthefairy
Jerusalem artichokes are great, lovely and tall foliage, beautiful flowers and when you want to move, just dig up some of the tubers and take them with you.
Re: Tall edible or useful plants for screening and to look nice
Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 4:43 pm
by dave45
or hops?
they grow very fast.. and while not directly edible can be quite useful :-) I have some wild ones down my garden and they must grow a foot a day in the growing season (now!).
I think Tarzan could swing on them too !