Suggestions please for tall shrubs to plant near fence for privacy

[Jedimastermama]

Basically the garden fence between us and neighbours don’t offer much in terms of privacy. So looking for ideas of what to plant. Looking for tall bright shrubs ideas but low maintenance.
I’m a beginner when it comes to gardening but I am learning as I go along.

Many thanks

[user1471530109]

Hi OP,
I have a similar issue. I planted a buddleia 18 months ago and it is now 6ft tall. I'm hoping it bushes out more this year but I haven't pruned it (you are supposed to) as I've wanted the height. I will try and prune next year as they get woody round the bottom if not. Also very cheap! I've got a nice dark blue one.
I also have a Sambucus Nigra which I've had for years in a pot but I planted it out a couple of years ago. It is growing pretty slow but these can also get big and tall.
I'm also planting an amelanchier tree.
Nearer the house I'm hoping to plant some bamboo in pots. They have to be in pots though! Nextdoor has planted some next to my fence and they've spread very quickly into my garden. Behind a shed at the moment and I quite like them. But I have a feeling I'm going to have issues with it from reading threads on here.

Along another fence I'm about to plant honeysuckle and star jasmine. Both eventually I'm hoping will give good height and privacy over the trellis.

[GuyFawkesDay]

What about a magnolia?
Mock Orange

[Beebumble2]

Leycesteria Formosa grows really tall quite quickly. It easily kept in check by pruning in spring.

[redcandlelight]

a spalier tree?
underplanted with a hedge?

[GoodAsMyWord]

I have this problem and really want to tackle it this spring.

I've just bought a ceonothus trewithen blue - meant to grow quite high, and is evergreen.

I'll be really interested to hear more suggestions.

[florentina1]

I would go for evergreens and all year cover.pyracantha, Cornus, choysia, weigelia, ceanothus, daphne, photo Ian and the smoke bush. Those are really hardy and Ned little pruning.

[florentina1]

Photinia not photo

[MrsBertBibby]

Buddleia will easily bounce back if you prune it. Ours is cut right down every year, it was easily 9 feet high by summer.

I really would cut it back now!

[user1471530109]

Oh really? It's not too late?

[OliviaRwhite]

I have this same problem.

I planted two magnolias, one last year, one previous year, and both are still tiny.

Also, mock orange Minnesota Snowflake, which has got to about 6ft in two years, and Virginal, which is still just above 1ft, so careful about which variety you choose. They’re also completely bare in Winter!

[MrsBertBibby]

No it's not too late, although it's quite cold this weekend. I'll probably do ours next weekend when it's a bit warmer.

[iusedtobecool]

I’ve had Laurel bushes planted for the same reason.

[Nacreous]

I have buddleia, ceanothus and Philadelphus in my garden.

I'm planning to do some tall flowers as well - lupins and fox gloves and then shorter gladioli etc.

[BadEyeBri]

Bamboo but make sure it's not the spreading type

[Somuddled]

Buddleia benefits greatly from an aggressive cut back in March. I I'll help the height significantly come summer.

[Jedimastermama]

Oh wow! Thank you for all your replies. I will look into these suggestions.
Today I had a look online and a Cotinus x obovastus ‘Grace’ caught my eye, it’s so vibrant in autumn so I bought it. Thought it will add a lovely splash of colour to the garden.

Thank you everyone.

[MrsJamin]

I wouldn't get a Buddleia, I don't think it's anything more than a weed, so hard to get rid of and not particularly attractive. IMHO!

[Flamingolingo]

How big is your garden? And how tall is the fence? If you have a bit of a trellis then some climbing roses snd some passionflower or clematis will do well.

This is about the right time to prune the buddleia, we did ours a week ago but it’s cold again now so I’d wait for warmer weather.

Ceanothus is a nice plant but can become quite broad. Also not super fast growing.

Bamboo is excellent for screening but must be in pots unless you have a very large garden and don’t mind it running riot

[MrsBertBibby]

There are a lot of different ceanothuses out there: for tall and narrow, look at Trewithen Blue, as a PP said.

Buddleia is imo a bit of a far end of the garden plant. Spectacular from a distance, but not that pretty close up.

And watch out for caterpillars, we got a load of mullein moth on our buddleia, they really hammered it until we realised and repatriated a box full to a neighbouring bush in the woods.

[Candleabra]

I really wouldn't go for bamboo, it can easily escape and you'll never get rid of it.

Lavatera (mallow) is fast growing and beautiful.

[Candleabra]

Forsythia is fast growing too. It flowers early, so a bit of interest in the early spring.

[Jedimastermama]

We have a very small garden, with a raised flowerbed halfway around. The soil isn’t very good. So I’m thinking it will need some preparation or maybe if I a few large pots with tall shrubs or trees.
The fence from ground level is around 6ft high I’d say, but we can see neighbours heads through their trellis. I think their garden is slightly raised.
Thank you for all your suggestions, I’m
Still looking into them.

[Magpie1976]

I'm the same and our kitchen and garden are overlooked by my neighbours much higher level patio. I bought some 8ft conifers last year which have been great.

[Jedimastermama]

The Cotinus x obovastus ‘Grace’ I bought a few weeks ago arrived and is doing well. I’m so glad. Obviously it will take a bit of time to grow tall but it’s definitely looking healthy.
I’ve just ordered a Philadelphus ‘Belle Etoile’ and I can’t wait to plant this.

How is everyone’s garden looking?