[Ms Nomer]

My people are from Armagh--Loughgilly. But, I live in a small beach town on an isthmus on the Northern Neck of the Chesapeake Bay in an old farmhouse around which a very small town has sprung over the years. Being that this had been a farmhouse, ornamental gardening was not a priority--so the side lot was basically a long rectangular flat grassy field enclosed by chain link on 3 sides and a wooden fence on the remainder. There is a small garden on the front and opposite side of the house.

My garden which I call the "isle of yew" takes the long view since I have planted in this long rectangular side lot an apple allee' which is being pleached, a small grove of ornamental cherry, a 200 foot holly hedge on the inside of the chain link and daylillies on the street side , a boxwood hedge surrounding a small square concrete foundation remnant that is adjacent to the apple allee' to be used as a private patio and a hedgerow of fig, hydrangea, rhododendron, camellia and privet. against the wood fence. I have scattered allium throughout the apple allee' and am looking for other kinds of paths, groundcovers and fast, if not instant chain link fence concealers that do not involve vinyl sheets of beer advertising. The chain link fence is too expensive to replace right now but it is extensively ugly . No offense (pun alert) to those who prize the chain link for utilitarian, vine supporting qualities. Any ideas are appreciated.....rocks here are being used to replenish the oyster beds as are the oyster shells---so those are not options. Are there ways to modify chain link fence or unusual things to do to it beside Carolina Jessamin and honeysuckle?

The small front yard is marked by a yew hedge of Bonsai proportions presently (the long view in the extreme) and a redbud sapling with a small grass and gravel parking area off to the side.

Here in old Vuhginya, I am in what is known as Zone 6.

I like this forum and look forward to participating. [/i

[Sugar_Ape]

Hi Ms Nomer and welcome to Irish Gardeners. I'm sure you will love it here. "Isle of yew" is a great name for your garden