Planting trees/tall plants in backyard...can neighbors/HOA say anything? (houses, fence)

[HX_Guy]

I want to plant some oleanders or Arizona yellow bells plants along the back fence in the yard. These grow pretty tall, and that's why I want them but I'm not sure how the neighbors would feel about it.

Anyone know if there is a law on this or can the HOA say anything if it's inside your own backyard?

The far wall is the one I'd like to plant along...

[observer53]

Putting aside the neighbor/HOA questions, oleander would not be a good choice in that tight an area, and close to your pool plumbing/structure. They have very invasive roots, are messy, and would be hard to keep trimmed back (and look attractive at the same time) to keep them off the pool. I assume you are talking regular oleander, not dwarf. That's a lovely yard... I wouldn't be planting anything to change that view, if it were me.

The yellow bells (which I had to look up) I don't think of as adding that much in the way of height. The flowers are pretty, but they will end up in the pool, too, if you plant them in back of it.

[Captain Bill]

Contact your HOA property manager and you'll have the correct answer very quickly. We do not know what your CC&R's say and cannot give you a definitive answer.

[HX_Guy]

Originally Posted by observer53

Putting aside the neighbor/HOA questions, oleander would not be a good choice in that tight an area, and close to your pool plumbing/structure. They have very invasive roots, are messy, and would be hard to keep trimmed back (and look attractive at the same time) to keep them off the pool. I assume you are talking regular oleander, not dwarf. That's a lovely yard... I wouldn't be planting anything to change that view, if it were me.

The yellow bells (which I had to look up) I don't think of as adding that much in the way of height. The flowers are pretty, but they will end up in the pool, too, if you plant them in back of it.

The yellow bells grow quite tall, I have one in the front yard next to the house and its around 7-8 ft tall and it would grow taller if it wasn't being but back.

The reason I want to line the back wall is so I don't see the houses behind the yard.

[Captain Bill]

The reason you need to check with your HOA is they may have an approved plant list. If your plant, even though it's in your back yard, is visible to neighbors, then they can deny it if it's not on the list.

So, call them and check to see. It's very easy to do and much easier (and less expensive) than planting something and have your neighbor complain that you planted a non-approved plant.

If the plant is approved, then it doesn't matter if your neighbor doesn't like it.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by HX_Guy

The yellow bells grow quite tall, I have one in the front yard next to the house and its around 7-8 ft tall and it would grow taller if it wasn't being but back.

The reason I want to line the back wall is so I don't see the houses behind the yard.

They are so far away (they don't back right up to your house), but if you'd rather look at a wall of plants, okay. Do NOT go with the oleanders, though, even if they are on the approved list. You have no idea what you are getting into with those.

[HX_Guy]

Originally Posted by observer53

They are so far away (they don't back right up to your house), but if you'd rather look at a wall of plants, okay. Do NOT go with the oleanders, though, even if they are on the approved list. You have no idea what you are getting into with those.

The houses look further away than they look in person, especially in that first picture taken with a wide-angle lens.

Here is a picture from right now...damn do I regret not doing winter grass this year, it's so ugly without it.

The two story house is the one that bothers me most. I'd love to just have green on all sides, kind of how it looks on the right and left sides now.

[HX_Guy]

Originally Posted by Captain Bill

The reason you need to check with your HOA is they may have an approved plant list. If your plant, even though it's in your back yard, is visible to neighbors, then they can deny it if it's not on the list.

So, call them and check to see. It's very easy to do and much easier (and less expensive) than planting something and have your neighbor complain that you planted a non-approved plant.

If the plant is approved, then it doesn't matter if your neighbor doesn't like it.

The Arizona yellow bell has to be approved as its in our front yard and was there when we bought the house, plus there are neighbors who already have it in their yards.

[Captain Bill]

Sounds like that should be ok then.

[observer53]

Go with the yellow bells then, if that house bothers you that much. It still wouldn't bother me, but it's your yard!