Plants to use as a screen

[SexPeopleLynn]

Hi there

Am a total gardening numpty! Please help!

My DH has built some pallet benches at the end of our garden against our fences.

The benches are in the corner of the garden right against the back and side fence

However, they look a bit bland against the fences and as they don't have backs to them, I thought about planting something behind them to act as a sort of 'screen' to the fence.

There's only a few inches behind the benches. Can anyone suggest something I can plant either directly into the ground or raised up if I can create something to hold them?

All ideas welcome

Thanks so much

Bamboo? Bit of a crazy one though, would need cutting back regularly but I don't find it tricky to do.

You need to think about how much sun there is. Which direction is it facing? A climber like clematis, jasmine or honeysuckle would be nice if it's part shade. The jasmine/honeysuckle will also give a nice fragrance. You could also add some pots with extra greenery, either evergreen, or annuals if you want to change what's in the pots regularly. If you do go for a climber, make sure the plant when young is able to get some sun and attach a trellis to the fence so it can climb easily. Also if the roots of the plants are under your bench, beware of snails/slugs who'll feast on the young tender shoots. I always just put some slug/snail bait down but after a few years the plant will be well established and hopefully not as appetising to the snails.

Bamboo can be a nightmare in the garden I'm currently battling to prevent it going into the brickwork of next door's extension thanks to the nitwit who planted it before I bought the house.

I had someone in to dig it out but unfortunately the neighbours just leave it so it comes back under the fence.

It's ruining my borders and even comes up in the lawn as it goes under the path.

I don't think it's worth the stress having it in a garden border.

I would go for some talk wispy grasses

Tall not talk ! Doh

Pyracanthia can be trained to be very slim. It’s fast growing too. Just tuck it behind some canes to keep it growing sideways rather than outward.

Oh thank you lovely lot.

To answer the question on shade and sun: our garden is north west facing and as the plant would be up against the back fence, it would technically face south east BUT would be in shadow of the house in winter a lot but in full sun for a good few hours in the summer.

The dove I have is quite thin but I'm assuming I would need to plant into a container with whatever I choose?

Thanks again

Pot plants to add to it is also a lovely idea-any further suggestions of easy to manage pretty pot plants?

@cobblers123

Bamboo can be a nightmare in the garden I'm currently battling to prevent it going into the brickwork of next door's extension thanks to the nitwit who planted it before I bought the house.

I had someone in to dig it out but unfortunately the neighbours just leave it so it comes back under the fence.

It's ruining my borders and even comes up in the lawn as it goes under the path.

I don't think it's worth the stress having it in a garden border.

Thanks for this insight-I was thinking bamboo but it is right on the border and near a neighbours summer house so will count this out!!

Bamboo can work in pots then it can't spread. But some bamboos spread and others don't. Best to get advice from a garden nursery before purchasing because as Cobblers says some varieties are v invasive.

One more thing, pot plants do need to be watered in dry weather and if the back of the garden is not visible from the house you might forget then plants can die. Think Mediterranean style plants: lavender, rosemary, olive trees. Acers are gorgeous and like to be in small containers but they need regular watering. If you'd like to change what's in the pots, just go to the garden centre and get annual bedding plants (meaning they'll only last 1 year). Things like petunias, violas, begonias, pansies. If you're interested in gardening, I wasn't always, just watching Gardeners' World or going on to specialist websites like Sarah Raven can give you lots of ideas.

How about growing an evergreen climber up a trellis? If money is no object you could get a pre-made one for instant impact (I've seen some well established ones for £400 ). Just Google living screen. If you're a bit more budget conscious you could buy a couple of trellises and star jasmine plants. Mine is in partial shade and took 3 years to thicken out but grew quite a bit in year 2. Smells beautiful so it was worth the wait. It cost about £60 for two trellis screens and two star jasmine plants from my local garden centre.