Please suggest a shrub for this spot

[whataboutbob]

This is in my brother’s garden, he has MH issues and I support him quite a bit especially with practical and house keeping issues. Anyway, the next door neighbour have fixed the fence but there is a section of wire along the bank at the back. It does not look great. I’m thinking a nice shrub would cover it up and enhance privacy. There is a box bush along from the wire but I’m not keen on putting more box as it’s a risk these days due to disease. Ideally the shrub would be vigorous but not a “ thug” and could be managed by pruning a couple of times a year. If it flowers that would be a bonus. Thanks for any recommendations.

How much sun does he get there OP? If its not in deep shade maybe an evergreen jasmine to grow up the wire fence, and an evergreen lilac in front of it for some interest in late spring/early summer?

Thanks Wildwood. I think it’s west facing and would get a decent amount of light in the second half of the day. We got rid of a huge leylandii which has greatly improved light levels. I like the sound of the evergreen jasmine. Maybe a lilac would be a bit too big.

Yes, I love evergreen jasmine- I had one in my old garden and I really miss it! You can get dwarf lilacs, otherwise a viburnum might be nice- I particularly like the 'Eve Price' variety.

If you look at this website crocus.co.uk and then scroll down on the left hand side you can set all the variables such as eventual size, how quickly it grows, whether its evergreen, when it flowers and then come up with a short list- its really handy.

@Wildwood6 thank you so much. You clearly know your plants well ! Personally I’m limited to edibles, as I have an allotment and live in a flat with a little backyard. The crocus website is a gem, so informative. I’m off to a garden centre today just to see what they have and get ideas of prices.

Philadelphus - range from quite small types to up to 10ft. Evergreen with white flowers generally.

You're most welcome @whataboutbob- to be honest I feel like there's so much I don't know, but you pick up bits and pieces along the way :) If you've got a Wilkos near you they sell very reasonably priced plants. Sometimes they're a bit small, but within a year a two they'll soon fill out a bit- the back of the pack should tell you the eventual size that the plant will grow to.

The Philadelphia looks lovely @Didiusfalco, and also in the right size range. Up to 2 m would be ideal. I’ve had to deal with runaway trees and shrubs at bro’s place and it’s a right pain. The leylandii cost the best part of a grand to be gotten rid of! Thanks for the Wilco tip @Wildwood6. I think I’m going to put a file of suggestions together to show him so he can make the final decision.

Pieris is a plant that likes a west-aspect; it doesn't like morning sun. It doesn't flower but the colour of new growth on P. Forest Flame is as good as flower. Supposedly it needs an acidic soil but mine survives happily in my sandy plot.

Thank you @senua, the pieris fulfills the brief in terms of situation, and I think the soil might be acid, there was a camellia there that did really well before the giant leylandii (RIP) squeezed the life out of it.
Just a question: if a plant’s height is 4m as per the RHS website, can you prune it so it keeps to 2m, or will it always “ want “ to be 4m high and not look so good with repeated pruning?

Just a question: if a plant’s height is 4m as per the RHS website, can you prune it so it keeps to 2m, or will it always “ want “ to be 4m high and not look so good with repeated pruning?
I prune mine so it is more like 4 foot than 4 metres! It seems very happy, touch wood.
Pruning it right will encourage the lovely new colourful growth. Prune after the new growth has lost its colour (i.e. late spring); don't leave pruning in summer or autumn because that will lop off the start-point of next spring's growth.

Thank you @senua. My big fear is a garden full of overgrown shrubs so that’s really good to know.

Ceanothus or California Lilac would look nice. It is fragrant also with a long flowering season. Bees love it.

Skimmia is a good un. It either has green berries, red berries or fragrant white flowers any part of the year, is tough and evergreen and bees adore it, win win!