Plants for privacy- help.

[localschmocal]

Hi all, I'd be grateful for any and all suggestions but please take into account that I'm a poor gardener and I don't actually like it!

We would like to buy some plants that will give us some privacy in our garden. Neighbours are great but it's become busier and nosier and we'd like to sit outside without feeling like we're being watched :) (sure they're not!)

Could you recommend plants that are fast-growing but won't grow more than 6-8ft? We'd like dense coverage too, where possible.

Any ideas gratefully received. TIA

Buddleia?

Depends what kind of look you want to go for. Hedging, climbers growing up fence (you could add trellis panels to top of fence to increase the height), trees? Does it need to be evergreen?

If you have a bit of money to throw at it there are nurseries which specialise in mature plants for instant effect. You could get something like this Laurel

We've just covered an enormous wall with 2 massive pots of Trachelospermum(star jasmine) which is evergreen and has lovely scented flowers and could climb a fence. Or climbing roses?

Bamboo is lovely and is a great sounds barrier but ensure you chose the correct variety and make sure you put down an effective root control system to contain it.

Some good suggestions already

Be wary though, as fast-growing plants tend not to stop when they've got to the size you want, they carry on growing fast regardless.