Calling all green-fingered gurus! What's a big, fast-growing, indestructible shrub?

[Hobnobfanatic]

Soil is damp - and I need something to cover as much area as possible, as I'm fed up battling weeds! I'm going to buy a rhododendron or 12, but could do with some other ideas, as I don't want too many of the same thing. And when would be the best time to plant?

Any ideas, you great green-fingered gurus, you?

Thank you! : o

i want to know too

Lonicera pileata - evergreen,low growing creamy flowers first and then purple berries. Fully hardy. Or vinca major for ground cover,small purple or white flowers.

Is it in full sun, full shade, sheltered?

Alchemilla mollis is my all purpose anti-weeding plant of choice but it's not a shrub. It is really beautiful with catmint but you can see I'm a perennial person.

How about Hydrangeas?

And plant now as it's fairly mild. If you're having rhodies,how about some smaller azaleas. Like the same soil and you can get some lovely colours. Mexican orange blossom good too,lovely scent.

ONe bit of the garden is pretty sheltered. Another bit is half sun - overlooked by one tree.

Thanks for the suggestions so far! I shall print out and go armed to my garden centre...

I've got damp clay soil and hypericum grows quickly and well, depending on the variety some are ground cover others grow to about 1m high.

Vinca major is good too.

If you want something higher, fastest grower here is elagnus ebingii which is evergreen. Has grown to 3m within a few years. Not very pretty though.

Willow is good in damps soils, there are willows that stay shrub size rather than turning into trees.