Next year we're going to see about creating a frame around the deck so we can grow things up the sides and hang lights, but this year we really have to get some things planted in the front yard, it's looking terribly barren.

I appreciate the suggestion, it has me thinking.

I recently saw a site selling bamboo matting (I think in 13 ft X 30 inch segments) for attaching to fences for enhanced privacy and aesthetic beauty, designed to be attached around the deck posts with heavy black cord. Looked very simple. The Japanese also attach sedge or other grass matting in this fashion. Judith

Judith - Essentially there isn't a way to easily attach a bamboo screen with out doing some work with major tools, all stuff I don't have time for until next year.

Iona - Thanks for the follow up.

Get a trellis that's tall enough for you to overlap at least 3' below the railing so you're not worrying about wind knocking it over once it's full of plant growth.

There are different kinds of trellises - I personally like the ones that use a square lattice rather than the diagonal lattice. Cedar looks great when it's new but it can start to look pretty shabby after a couple of seasons so you might consider plastic.

You said you were considering planting ficus in the corners of the deck, so what about putting a climber in a large pot in a corner that you can eventually train up to the corner of the lattice?

In the meantime you can pretty up the lattice with fairy lights and some smaller flowers in cheap plastic window boxes attached to the railing. If you can't find a box hanger, you could use zip ties and wrap a couple around the top of the box and under the railing. Plant some hanging plants in there and they'll cover up the ties in no time.

Here's another thought - how high off the ground is your deck? Have you got some room between the bottom of the deck and your property line to plant a climbing vine there? You'll get a lot more growth out of something that's allowed deep roots. Evergreen climbers like star jasmine or potato vines could be planted in the ground and trained up to reach your trellis creating an unholy wall of green privacy.

Keep in mind where your sun is coming from so you don't lose any precious rays!

:-)

Are you thinking window boxes because you don't have a lot of space for planters right on the deck? Sorry if I missed this - I admit I didn't read all the comments.

In my experience, baskest/boxes/anything that hangs on a rail is best for short plants or things that will hang down. They can look really pretty but I am having a hard time imagining how you would use them to create much privacy or block noise.

We bought large planters for one side of our deck that faces the neighbors' house and planted black bamboo in it last fall. As it's been getting warmer we've finally got new culms sprouting up and they are about 9' tall now! Bamboo is only going to get as big as the container will allow, so putting bamboo in a window box is not going to be very satisfying. Our containers are about 24 inches high and maybe about the same across.

I've been giving them some miracle grow and watering regularly and they are happy. The fertilizing is important since they quickly suck up the nutrients in the pot. Not only are they creating a beautiful, living screen from the house next door - when the breeze blows there is a lovely rustling of leaves.

If you don't want something quite that tall you can still use bamboo but snip the tops off. Once it's cut it can't grow any higher. And when it's confined in a pot of course you can use any variety you want - it doesn't have to be the clumping kind.

I hope that's helpful!

Illek - Thanks for the tip!