Please help a novice!

[liviadrusilla]

Hello,

I recently moved into my first house, which has a very neglected garden. We are clearing it (ineptly) and think it will take quite a while to get into shape.

Along the sides of our garden are two long beds, which are between us and the neighbours. There is ivy and some other bushes along the side, but there are quite a few gaps, and so at some points there is basically no separation between the gardens except a tiny wire fence! I would love a bit more privacy, ideally something that grows to a good thickness/height fairly fast but is not uncontrollable, and something that looks nice all year. I also have a patch just in front of the side of the house that comes along a raised balcony (hard to explain!) and would like something tall there for privacy. I prefer gardens that look quite natural rather than very ordered and rigid. I am enjoying gardening but would like something low maintenance as much as possible.

Does anyone have any recommendations, or am I being unrealistic? I would also value other tips for an attractive garden!

Thanks in advance!

I will have a think about this, and try and come back to you in a couple of days.

in my professional opinion a natural looking garden is not normally low maint. i wouldnt plant any evergreen shrubs that grow taller than 2m as ive seen what neglecting them causes. lots to choose - viburnum, hebe, aucuba, euyonumus, osmanthus, buxus etc. i think herbaceous perennials break up the evergreens nice and can be literally hacked down in spring. look in magazines though its a great way to see colours together

Thank you for your advice! I have seen some hebe and thought it was nice, does it grow tall/quickly? Really helpful, thank you!