How to screen fence line?

Looking for some advice or recommendations to screen some of this fence line, so that the fence is covered and also ~10cm of screening above the fence line.

The soil is mostly sand and only 9cm deep before it hits some black tarp, so I guess putting in planter boxes / troughs is the only option.

I was thinking something like Lilly Pilly? Or maybe even a type of bamboo? Obviously screening the entire fence would cost a fortune, so only thinking of key areas where the windows look out too.

ideal hedging

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Comments

EricL

Hello @NamedUser

Your choice of lilly pilly and bamboo are enough to cover the area you are thinking of. However, it's important that its planting area be sound and fertile. Growing these plants in a planter box is possible, but it would have to be quite big in order for them to reach their full potential. Can you tell us what is under the black tarp? Is there soil underneath the black tarp or is it clay? A lot depends on the quality of the soil and amount of space you have to grow these plants. Other hedges that would grow past your fence line are Sweet Viburnum, Murraya and Photinias.

Another option I would like to suggest is to extend your Colorbond fence just like in these discussions:

Attaching Colorbond fence extension - Page 3 by @hbye
How to install a Matrix Decor screen to a Colorbond fence? by @firenevac
Matrix fence extension installation query by @mturnbull
Matrix Fence Extensions for a capped paling fence by @lestercd

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @AlanM52 for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

NamedUser

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/58225#Comment_58225

Thanks @EricL

I will check the soil underneath the black tarp tomorrow and let you know.

What about doing Star Jasmine in troughs instead? I found this photo online which seems to show them growing 2-3m in pretty small troughs. I could build a wire trellis along the fence. Thoughts? Thanks as always

AlanM52

Hi @NamedUser,

Here are photos of our lilly pillies.

I need to use the 10' step ladder to prune those.

Picture those planted closer together...

Along your fence line and I am thinking there is not enough for them.

I am not a green thumb so will pass on making other recommendations

Cheers

AlanM52

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/91466#Comment_91466

Hi @NamedUser, I am back again.

RE: I could build a wire trellis along the fence.

I did Jasmine and wire trellis along a timber fence, here are some photos.

494976080_10237711093859301_801476776949335704_n (1).jpg 494676497_10237711098219410_8688359356529297601_n (1).jpg

Even with regular pruning it kept pulling down the fence trellis extensions and damaging the fence palings.

Last photo, as it grows the bottom becomes very tough and woody.

Screenshot 2025-10-16 013015.jpg

Cheers

MitchellMc

Hi @NamedUser,

I'd suggest reading through Training climbers to screen a fence by @royq. You could use this method for planting in the ground or in trench pots, as your image shows. You might also like to check out our Top ten most popular fence projects for inspiration.

Mitchell

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/58232#Comment_58232

Good Morning @NamedUser

I have been slowly working along a privacy screen next to my fence so the project is not complete but it may help you out.

I have been using the Otter 690 x 90mm Ground Screw Stirrup Every 1100mm ish right next to my fenceline. The fence is already tall so I didnt want to add weight to the actuall fence itself. I intend to install posts on these footings and then install slats at the top to give theextra privacy above the fence itself. In your case you could go the route of wire strung between the posts and some slats at the top as well.

01 31-08-2025.jpg

The narrow area I have to work in

02 31-08-2025.jpg

The hole that ened up being an issue as the earth screw "stripped" the thread of the hole when I hit stone at the bottom.

03 13-07-2025.jpg

The majority went in very nicely

04 06-07-2025.jpg

Actual earth scew

05 19-05-2025.jpg

The first sketch of what I wanted, I have modified this as to only have slats at the top and maybe a slat in the middle front and reverse to actuall put a narrow bench on it.

06 06-07-2025.jpg

I used a spaer piece of timber to slot into teh stirrupo, A large G clamp and a pry bar to slowly turn the eartch screw into the ground. I would get half a turn and then have to reseat the prybar. I also had a 300mm masonary drill bit that I did a center drill with, mainly to make sure there was nothing solid underneath and also to give the screw a path to follow.

Thinks to note -

Great tool if you have no rocks or concrete.

Yet to find out how well they will support 🙂

If the screw spins, then you will need to go the old fashioned route and dig a hole and add concrete plus stirrup. I had one hole I had to do that for.

It will give something solid for a vine to climb (on the wire) instead of impacting the fence.

Dave

NamedUser

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/58232#Comment_58232

Thanks @MitchellMc

I'm a bit of a DIY novice and can't quite work out (in my head) how the wire attaches to the screws, while maintaining tightness?

So you drill the screws into the middle and top sections on the fence, and then how do you wrap the wire around the screws? For mine, I am not looking for the diamond effect, I want the vines to go straight up and cover as much of the fence as they can.

Thanks

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/91482#Comment_91482

Hello @NamedUser

The wire technically wraps around the body of the screw in a clockwise direction. Once you begin tightening the screw it will pull the wire in the direction that it is turning in. You could reduce the gap between the wires so that the plants can cover the space easily if you wish to have full fence coverage. You also have the option of using a mesh so that it will be easier to attach to your fence.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

NamedUser

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/111722#Comment_111722

Thanks @EricL

So you drill the screw in like 1/3 of the way, wrap the wire around and then drill it in further?

Would you be able to link a suitable mesh that is easier to install?

Thanks

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/123322#Comment_123322

Hello @NamedUser

Yes, you drill the screw 1/3 of the way wrap the wire in a clockwise manner and then drill it in further. In order to get familiar with the process, I suggest testing the wire tensioning on a long piece of timber off cut. You should be able to see the wire getting pulled as you tighten the screw in.

In regards to the mesh, I propose looking at the Rapid 180 x 120cm 50 x 50 x 3.15mm Silver Wire Mesh Panel. Please keep in mind that you'll need to attach 70 x 35mm Outdoor Framing H3 Treated Pine - 2.4m at the top and bottom rail of the fence to serve as a spacer between the mesh and the fence.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

NamedUser

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/130943#Comment_130943

Thanks @EricL, @MitchellMc and everyone else

Just thought I'd share what I did on Sunday. I think it went okay - the wires aren't extremely tight, but not loose either. If it works I will expand down the rest of the fence - I guess time will tell 🤞

This spot gets around 3 hours of direct sun, so hopefully that is enough for them to grow. I swear they've grown a tiny bit today 😆

Any feedback appreciated!

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/135630#Comment_135630

Hello @NamedUser

Thank you very much for the update. The wire looks secure and should be able to hold the climbing branches of the plant. We look forward to seeing how far the plant has covered your fence after a few months.

Eric

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