New apartment, small exposed patio. Need privacy!! Need shade!!

Dale Toth
by Dale Toth
I planned to put in a couple trellis and some vines but management says NO! Any idea what else I could do? Thought of small shrubs but don't know if that's going to be enough. I want to put it on the front corner of the patio to block the view from the main entrance and parking lot. I have a little table and two chairs for that corner on the patio. There's a garden area about four feet wide in the front of the patio and about three feet wide on the side. There is a balcony above not quite as big as the patio. The direction it faces is almost due west and has sun most of the day.
  7 answers
  • Laura Pidduck-Zappetti Laura Pidduck-Zappetti on Apr 26, 2017

    you could get clematis potted over course and put a small trellis in the back end of the pot for them to climb up and if you lined these and other climbers like morning glories then nothing is being installed on the deck, if that is managements issue.

    • Dale Toth Dale Toth on Apr 26, 2017

      Laura, You think like me. I was thinking about it and even picked out the clematis I would get. I have morning glories from seed waiting to be planted and haven't because of what has been said by management. I have seen large planters with substantial trellis work as the background. They are rather expensive but I have a friend who's an excellent woodworker. Thanks for the thought. You may have just cemented my resolution. Dale

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Apr 26, 2017

    Agree with above. Maybe management would let you hang a bamboo shade that you can roll up? They come fairly long, or you could think of a way to make a standing frame to use to hang some kind of shade when you want it. You could also speak with management and find out if there is a solution that could be permanent and you would leave it when you move out. It would be an investment for you, but would solve your problem, or if they really like an idea, maybe they would pay for half or all.

    • See 1 previous
    • Dale Toth Dale Toth on Apr 27, 2017

      I've had screens inside but outside would be pretty cool too. I'm picturing one of those heavily carved wood ones I've seen in import stores. It would have to be weatherproof and I would have to find some way to support it and protect from wind. I love this idea. Thanks.

  • Elaine Elaine on Apr 26, 2017

    I'd buy good sized cedars as they will provide privacy year round and look nice year round. Sales should be good this time of the year or wait until the Fall. For privacy around a patio (in a former home), I bought mature palm trees - they loved it outside then I brought them in for the Winter. They're still going strong!

    • Dale Toth Dale Toth on Apr 26, 2017

      I love it!! The only problem would be where to put them inside. I have a small one bedroom and a large dog who would love them too. If you live in Canada how did you get palm trees? That's just the best idea. I wish I could do it. Thanks for the input. I may be able to use something else instead of the palms that I could manage in winter.

  • Elaine Elaine on Apr 27, 2017

    Hi Dale: I'm glad you liked my suggestion. To answer your question, palm trees are readily available at local garden centers, large grocery stores, Ikea, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes - almost year round. They are especially available after Christmas (mid to late January) as that's the time customers are wanting "something green" in their homes (to offset the grey Winter months) while waiting for Spring and all the stores, just mentioned above, bring in a good supply. By the way, I owned a dog and a cat and had no problems whatsoever.

    • Dale Toth Dale Toth on Apr 27, 2017

      Elaine, You don't know Toby. He's a rescue dog I've had about a month. He's learning manners but not fast enough. I'm going to check out Lowes. Thanks.

  • Laura Pidduck-Zappetti Laura Pidduck-Zappetti on Apr 28, 2017

    i saw a project on pinterest that was so easy and it was the wood trim material used to make your own trelis, that might be cheaper and you could customize the size you need, do you know the material I'm referring to?

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Dec 21, 2021

    Ask if you would be allowed an Awning?