Disguising your heating oil tank
Domestic oil storage tanks may not be beautiful, but there are still some gardening tricks you can use to disguise your tank, without affecting access for your friendly heating oil delivery driver!
- Screens - The simplest form of screen is trellis or fence. A carefully fixed mirror behind some trellis will trick the eye away from the tank, and draw attention back into the garden. Alternatively, consider a ‘green screen' - instead of the usual hedge, a wall of bamboo provides movement and a relaxing rustling noise.
- Features - Consider using a selection of well-stocked planters to make a feature. A row of matching square tubs with Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) and a few solar lights would make a contemporary statement, or cluster a variety of pots together for a more traditional look. Clipped yew (Taxus baccata) or box (Buxus sempervirens) add evergreen structure.
- Climbers - By using trellis or wires, you can disguise your tank with climbing plants (planted in containers or in the ground) without them interfering with the tank itself. Ivy (Hedera helix) provides quick evergreen cover. Choose a variegated variety for colour, and grow some pretty perennial flowers in with it, like Nasturtium or Clematis.
- Fragrance - In the summer can help disguise any smell that may come from the tank, so try a Honeysuckle (Lonicera). Evergreen honeysuckles are usually less fragranced than deciduous varieties. If your tank is in a sheltered spot, Star Jasmine (Trachelospernum jasminodes) is a great all round climber. It has glossy evergreen leaves and in the summer, the fragrance from its delicate white jasmine-like flowers will make you glad you had to plant something by the oil tank!
Remember that there are several regulations for new and replacement above ground oil storage tanks for home heating and cooking. These are covered The Building Regulations 2000 and should be refered to when doing any work around your tank.
