Fast growing plants for shade

[Betsymabel]

I’m trying to find some plants for one side of my garden that will grow quite high in shade if anyone can suggest anything?
It’s for a privacy issues as my neighbour looks over the fences every day so ideally something that grows upwards of 6 foot to block him out, appreciate any tips!

It depends on the shade. Full shade vs dappled shade, wet or damp vs dry- that is going to determine planting choices.

Bamboo?

It’s a west facing garden and it’s the left side they will be planted on, the shade comes from the fences so only a couple of foot and above the fence line is full sun. I’m new to gardening so haven’t a clue where to start!

I know it is considered by some to be sacrilege, but I used faux trellis screening on top of the wall on a temporary basis. It worked great.

That gave time for the climbing hydrangea and shade loving clematis to grow.

Google artificial expanding trellis. Amazon/Ebay etc. I got mine from Amazon. It is somewhat plasticky for sure, but only noticeable if you are right beside it.

@Betsymabel

It’s a west facing garden and it’s the left side they will be planted on, the shade comes from the fences so only a couple of foot and above the fence line is full sun. I’m new to gardening so haven’t a clue where to start!

Ok. Bamboo- Phyllostachys vivax aureocaulis is good, not spreading. Viburnum tinus Eve Price, Hydrangea seemanii, Acunthus 'Jeff Albus', Sarcocca confusa, epimedium frohnleiten, Cornus kousa, Cornus capitata if space.

Thank you!

I would avoid bamboo personally unless in containers.

Ivy is excellent, I put up planters with trellis and then the ivy filled in the trellising.

Shade at the bottom and sun at the top is good for things like clematis and vines, I grew a vine behind a six foot fence so pretty much full shade and it was very happy.

Also you can use the filter to select the conditions/sun/soil and get a list of options on here www.gardenersworld.com/search/plants/

No need to avoid bamboo. Just take care and buy a species that doesn't spread like buggery

If you are planting in the ground then I'd fix some trellis to the fence (if you own it) and buy a clematis montana - it's a monster and will grow quickly.

If planting in ground and you can't fix anything to the fence - then a fatisa japonica....and plant an amelanchier - it's not everygreen but it'll provide lacy coverage. Or an apple tree is you fancy apples.

Put some wires up on your side and put a clematis appleblossom on it. it'll head up to the sun.

If in pots - then bamboo is a good shout - but will need to be big planters.

I feel Ivy plant is a good choice as they are a vigorous growing, self-clinging and low maintenance plant.

As above comments - any of the clumping species are fine- most Phyllostachys are good. The Rufa, Fargesia etc need to be watched. Aureocaulis is very nice.

I agree about ivy it's fast growing, you can get variegated varieties, the wildlife love it too Then you can put honeysuckle with it . For very sweet perfume in the summer evenings!

Thank you all I’ll take a look, it’s not my fence so I can’t fix anything to it unfortunately and I’d be worried about plants like ivy growing over the fence rather than upright. but I’m happy to try anything as long as I get my privacy!

Bamboo in tallish pots (at least 75cm) depth will give you instant screening (that’s not attached to the fence) that will shoot up & fill out by summer and then by autumn you might even be able to split those plants and create double for free.

@carefullycourageous

I would avoid bamboo personally unless in containers.

Ivy is excellent, I put up planters with trellis and then the ivy filled in the trellising.

Shade at the bottom and sun at the top is good for things like clematis and vines, I grew a vine behind a six foot fence so pretty much full shade and it was very happy.

Ivy is, to be honest, nearly as awful as bamboo if you've got it and don't want it....

@Harrysmummy246 I have not had this issue myself, I have removed large amounts easily enough.

Bamboo is very varied, but I personally think it is a bit of a menace. It grows well in containers though so that can work.

Holly, Berberis, pyracantha - all with the added benefit of prickles to keep him away!

I wouldn't do ivy. It damages what it climbs up. Virginia creeper is similar but better for your fence

hedgehopper that view is a myth, I have ivy climbing up many trees and it doesn't damage any of them, it is extremely good for the birds (having the latest flowers in the year which provide nectar for the late insects too)
We also have ancient walls around the garden which are mainly ivy, when I say ancient I mean 500 years old and they are still standing! Nature needs undergrowth. and overgrowth!

I was told this by our arboreaculturist.

I have ivy in my front garden and can't get rid of it. It was there before we moved in and had already taken over the ground and front wall. We wont buy another house with ivy again. How about some standard or Porsches trees with a canopy that sits above the fence?

Flo Why not? it's very good for the environment. Good as ground cover too. I have planted shrubs and bulbs so they can be clearly seen through it.

It's not just my opinion and experience, Gardener's Question time says so too.

Buddleia.

@ppeatfruit maybe when it's maintained well it's not so bad but ours is just an absolute mess. We haven't been able to get on top of it at all. We have a lovely back garden but at the front our house looks dilapidated and unloved. No amount of positive stories from gardeners world would convince me to get a house with ivy again.

Phormium