Ideas for what to put here please!

[Wonderfulcheapfalafel]

Currently have some overgrown forsythia here, which I'll be cutting back shortly to try and get it under more control. Would like a bit of variety though, so looking for evergreen shrub which will grow to block view into neighbours, but not too wide. Don't mind replacing the forsythia, we have tons of it!

Please Ignore plastic carpet, previous owners did that and it will be going! This area is just outside doors to lounge and will be where table and chairs are.

South facing, free draining soil.

I'd like an evergreen viburnum it would that be too big?

Should have said not too wide that it grows outwards too much, wide along the fence would be fine... So something that could be clipped that way,

If that makes sense?

Viburnum can take hard pruning, so could be OK. I have a lovely variegated weigela in a position like that. Not evergreen though ...

I just looked up weigela, it's lovely, now I want one!

Hi just resurrecting this thread whilst I sit contemplating in my garden... Still trying to work out what to plant along edge which will grow tall enough to screen from neighbours, but can be cut back to be not too wide... Would the weigela mentioned above work like this? It says max spread 1.5m but I'd prefer to keep at 1m... Would that be possible and it stil look good? Also like Pittosporum but same issue, max spread is much wider than I'd like ..

New pics of area, will be removing forsythia, it's had its day!

I’ve a similar problem, neighbours have cut a ‘viewing’ hole in the hedge! I’m planting a Photinia Red Robin. They are every green, grow quit quickly and are very easy to prune to desired shape. They also have lovely new red leaves.

Thanks @Beebumble2 , although not jealous of your neighbours viewing hole!. I just impulse bought a weigela at a car boot sale, no idea what variety though until it flowers! I do quite like red robin but just not sure it would suit my garden...such a big decision and I'm rubbish at making decisions...

My weigela has put up with plenty of amateurish hacking and is probably about 1m wide, and between 1.5 and 2m tall. The photinias round my way are looking lovely at the moment. What about clematis montana for a generously flowering, fast growing climber for the fence (or the "viewing hole")? That can cope with some tough love too.

I’ve just bought a Photinia Pink Marble to fill the gap. Already in front is a Lady of Shallot climbing rose on a trellis it’s not dense enough, the ‘viewing’ hole is large and about 60cms behind so some careful planting will take place tomorrow.

Pittosporums are great - very pretty for an evergreen, take a hard cutback quite happily, fairly fast growing, neither of mine grew very wide. But I lost both this winter! The combination of drought, wet and cold just did for them.

There are some very pretty hollies, lovely for wildlife, and very tolerant of being kept to a space.

So sorry about your pittsporums @LadyGardenersQuestionTime think I'll just plant my new car boot sale plant and worry about filling in gaps later on.

L
@loafintheoven thank you for clematis idea going to look at this x

Philadelphia, viburnum, sarboria, acre, not sure if I’ve spelt these right are other ideas. A friend of mine has given me what I think is a clump of heleanthus lemon queen, although she calls it a daisy tree ! I’ve seen it in her garden, it grows to about 8 foot tall. If your fence gets a lot of sun it would look perfect.

Thanks@Cuppa2sugars that's a lovely idea.

ceanothus will take a good old prune, is evergreen and flowers