Need suggestions for hiding backyard fence
 

We recently bought a Veranda home that we love. One of the reasons we bought a Veranda was because we thought we would have more privacy from our neighbors. This is true, however the six foot vinyl fence is 11 feet from our lanai. I first thought that we could create an island with plants to help hide the ugly fence. I just found out that there is a 7 foot variance that prohibits us from doing anything except plant grass. That leaves us with 4 feet of "our" property. The door of the lanai opens into that area also.
We moved from a house with a beautiful back yard and this situation is very disappointing!
We don't want large traditional shrubs crowding our screens. Does anyone have any other ideas?
Thank you!

Did you check with the CDD or ARC to see if you can apply paint or a covering to the fence. If you can do this you might be able to have a pleasing scene placed on your fence. I have seen amazing displays on trucks and cars that are a vinyl wrap material that might be suitable. This all depends on whether you can paint or cover your side of the fence. The only other option I could think of would be some sort of a temporary covering, this would require lots of research.

How about several shepherds hooks with large hanging baskets filled with beautiful flowers? I think they’d block out the fence to some degree and provide color.

Another thought: several large pots that can be moved when necessary. You could plant quick growing shrubs or palms in these. Just wondering...why the 7 ft variance since there’s no neighbor back there. Utilities maybe?

Are you responsible for the maintenance of that fence?

I'm far from a design expert but, I am growing blueberries in pots, reason they need acidic soil and our soil is alkaline. Large pots? I've had several plastic posts simply fall apart due to our sun. Moving a large pot. In my case to a bigger new pot. It is a shock how heavy they are. Also, in a pot the root structure is limited. It is necessary to be sure they are watered. One mistake and they are done for.

Big plants hiding the fence will make the property look smaller. Bushes beyond the screen is the traditional answer. The original poster seems to be against that.

I agree that shrubs behind the screen is the best and low maintenance solution. I’d suggest podocarpus which can be trimmed and don’t naturally (columnar habit) get too wide. Whatever it is, it shouldn’t touch your house.

No, I’d not suggest plastic pots. If you go the potted route, invest in high quality glazed pottery. You can place them on wheeled stands for when it’s necessary to move them and even tap into irrigation so they’re watered automatically.

Hanging baskets would look beautiful but do require daily maintenance. Sometimes you’d need to water twice a day. Ugh!

Two questions: are you positive about a 7-foot clearance? That sounds like a lot. What are your neighbors with this situation doing?

The house doesnt meet your requirements, and never will. Suck it up and move.

Seriously? You seem to have derived quite a bit of information from one short post by someone you have never met.

Before you do anything, make sure you have approval from the Architectural Review Committee (ARC). They have strict rules.

However, to my knowledge, they do not go around looking for violations. I have heard that other people do that. They supposedly drive around looking for violations, file a complaint, and then ARC checks into it.

In your back yard? No one but you are gonna see them. Do what you want to do.

That is fine until a neighbor sees what you have done and complains to ARC and ARC comes by and orders you to remove it.

That is what happened with our neighbors across the street.

Neighbor A planted some shrubs in their yard. Neighbor B did not like it. Neighbor A refused to remove them. Neighbor B complained to ARC and they ordered Neighbor A to remove them.

Maybe something like this - fake boxwood panels that snap together. Of course, get approval.... Here's a link to product idea on Amazon...
Amazon.com

We are not allowed to paint or attach anything to the fences. We are however responsible for the upkeep/replacement if needed.

As I said in my original post, I love my HOUSE, but was asking for help with my fence.
I have no plans to move!

I see from a previous post you cannot do anything with or to the fence, so how about roll up screens on you lanai, we have these on ours and use them for the 2 months out of the year we need to control the sun coming in. You can find lower cost ones at Lowe's and home depot, and much more custom made ones. You may be able to find ones with a nice scene on it.