which plants/shrub things are quite fast growing..very bare garden

[poi]

can u tell I'm not a gardener ?

Need something that spreads along borders in a part sunny part shady garded. I haven't a clue!!

[chestnutty]

For ground cover try Periwinkle(the lesser one is not as rampant) - purple flowers in spring and good foliage all year round, or Ladies mantle - pale green leaves from mid-spring til late autumn and yellow frothy flowers all summer long. Both plants are fine in light shade.
grasses are also good for low to mid height interest, there are lots to choose from at cheap prices - some evergreen and others die back.

[Squarer]

Bamboo! It will spread like wildfire and loves part shade. Don't plant near a pond though.

[Upsadaisy]

A flowering raspberry does such a thing. It's a shrub which grows really quickly and thrives just about anywhere so I've been told. We have it in our garden and its in semi-shade. Not sure of its proper name, will try and find out for you

[Katymac]

Mallow is quick growing but quite a big shrub

Clemeits Montana can be enormous we planted one 5 yrs ago and have cut it back hard 3 times it is about 6 ft high and 18ft accross (needs it's roots in shade and head in the sun - apparently)

[Upsadaisy]

The shrub is called a Ribes or a flowering currant/ornamental currant. It's currently flowering so dare say that it may be currently stocked in the garden centres. It grew about 3ft in the first year.
Another fairly fast growing shrub in my experience is a weigela.

HTH

[Serah]

Ribes is lovely in flower. Buddlia is great for growing quickly too.

Are you looking for something to screen with Poi?

[Squarer]

Oh, and just been pootling around my garden - I have a Photinia "red robin" that was about 2' tall when I bought it 2 or 3 years ago and is now around 6' or 7'.
Always buy the biggest (more expensive) plant you can afford - they take less time to establish themselves and grow much quicker.

[poi]

Wow, thanks everyone, I didn't actually expect any replies! Your suggestions are VERY helpful and I shall write tham all down and head off for the garden centre feeling much less overwhelmed. Thank you! :)

[sharklet]

Eucalyptus grows fast and gives lovely leaves.

[DaddyCool]

it might be common as muck but i really like laurel and i think it looks lovely when it's all grown in. i planted it at the last house and moved just before it grew in properly and now every time i drive past, i note how nice it looks all cut to shape.

[DaddyCool]

and it grows quick.