Good privacy tree/bush for back of garden

[Stevie1983]

We live in a typical terraced house, where the back of our garden then backs onto the neighbour's garden (and also neighbours to the left/right). The neighbours recently have felled several trees in their garden, meaning there is a clear view now to their balcony window from our garden.

We are thinking of planting some bamboo / trees / tall shrubs to cover the view from the window. We are a north facing garden but at the end of the garden we do get some pretty decent light.

Any recommendations? The faster growing the better! Of course they can't be massive trees as it will block out all of the neighbour's light / roots may be an issue.

Ceanothus Arborescens "Trewithen Blue".

A lovely tree-like ceanothus, with evergreen leaves, lovely blue flowers in spring /early summer, likes some decent sun, goes up to 6m. Smashing plant.

Sorry, arboreus not arborescens.

Thanks, that does look beautiful!

Be very careful of bamboo, it can be very invasive and, aside from digging the whole thing up , there's no stopping it.

I’m in a similar situation but with pretty much full shade and have found the Cherry Laurels are quickest growing and evergreen but you could also look at Photinia varieties or Garrya Elliptical if you don’t want so large. I’ve also planted a Lonicera Henryi Copper Beauty and put in a Magnolia Fairy White but they haven’t given me as much cover in the same time.

@DroopyClematis yeah, that's what worries me slightly with bamboo, is there a way to stop the spread ie. Would it work to put it in a large planter or sink a barrier into the ground?

@Catname thank you so much for these!

Bamboo is ok in a very large planter - but will need fed and watered.

I'm very wary of planting in the ground in a small space.

Airy trees are good like the ceanothus above, an evergreen climber on a trellis would be good too.

Shorter trees or large shrubs planted nearer your house provide as much privacy....