Which plants

[ScoobyG]

Hoping someone will be able to help me out, as I don't have much gardening knowledge!

I would like to plant something that will grow to help screen above a fence. The run of the fence is about 30foot. There is already laurel planted in the remaining run, which is in beds that form part of the garden.

The complications are that it will be planted into a bed but the boundary line with the fence on is on paving flags. I was thinking of making a bed using breeze blocks, rather than wood, then rendering it with a coloured render. I could build the bed up inside with the blocks and not actually plant until a few foot up, to help with the height I want to achieve. The fence is 6 foot.

I was looking at a non invasive bamboo, but even those said they can get through brick work etc so that put me off. Any suggestions with what would make a good evergreen screen, grow quickly and hopefully to a good height. Something with the ability to grow 6 foot over the fence height would make me very happy.

Thanks!

Only ever put bamboo in pots.

Not what you asked, but more people to know.

Bumping for more helpful answers!

Thank you!

Also, should add...
The area they would be in is shady in the morning then sun from about 11am onwards during the summer, actually get the last bits of the day. Something that could take a lot of sun... if it ever stops raining that is.

There aren't that many evergreen climbers, - can only think of ivy. Beware bamboo.

Trachelospermum jasminoides or star jasmine is an evergreen climber, will take a while to fill the space though. Hoeboelia latifolia or sausage vine is a vigorous evergreen climber so would fill the space quicker but will be more work to cut it back each year.

How much money have you got to spend and/or how much training/maintenance are you willing to put in?

You could train quite a lot of stuff to the height you want, but it would need maintaining to keep it looking good and in the size you want. I'm thinking of things like pyracantha, or pleached trees.

If you are looking for climbers as well as ivy there are some evergreen clematis, also trachelospermum jasminoides, and climbing hydrangeas. These would obviously need a structure to support them, but you can build that into the bed you are building.

@CatherinedeBourgh

Budget wise can spend around £500. Definitely happy to put time and maintenence in. Don't want a climber, want something to grow independently of the fence.

I have a firethorn on the other side, in a bed that is part of the garden. Fancied something with bigger leaves maybe? Not thorny ideally. I could be hoping for a unicorn plant...

What about privet? Can get them as evergreens and I think they grow quite quickly.

Pleached trees will probably be more than your budget

@AssassinsEyebrow Would you every do instant hedging?

https://www.best4hedging.co.uk/wild-privet-easy-hedge-instant-hedging-element-150cm-high-x-100cm-wide

Looked at privets on there... just so many options! This is what I find hard.

We used bay for exactly the same reason, in a decking raised bed about 18" high. They provide lovely evergreen screening and smell nice.

There are non invasive clumping bamboos. We have one that makes an excellent screen and doesn’t try and go anywhere else.

Any of the evergreen hedging plants would do trained in the right way. You can have laurel, privet, holm oak, holly, yew, pittosporum...

It's hard to narrow it down if you have no other criteria, so think about what else you would like. Dark or light leaves? Variegated or not? Flowers or not? Berries or not? Spiny or not?

Alternatively, if it's about baffling a view rather than having a solid screen, you could put a few pencil cypresses.

Clematis Armandii grows like fury, is evergreen, likes sunshine and has loads of pretty flowers very early in the year. Just needs a bit of trellis or wires to support it.
https://img.crocdn.co.uk/images/products2/pl/00/00/00/08/pl0000000865_card2_lg.jpg

Whoops - just noticed you don't want a climber. Maybe this clematis will change your mind? 😁

Have a look at Japanese privot - evergreen trees with a lolly pop growing style such that the canopy can be at the top of a fence. Not sure I quite understood what space there is for planting so apologies if I've misunderstood.

@Pottingup can you send a link?

I have a Spindle tree/ bush to hide me from the neighbours . It isn't evergreen but it has dense sticks in winter and keeps it leaves well. It's fully green now and has been for a month.
The branches grow straight and very tall. I've cut a few to use as canes for my sweet peas. It's also growing in a tiny strip between paving stones and a fence so a bed won't worry it.
https://www.rootsplants.co.uk/products/european-spindle-hedging-euonymus-europaeus?variant=42639092252832&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=17649056553&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIltCsk8a-hQMVypRQBh0kYQjPEAQYBCABEgK5jfD_BwE

What about Beech . If clipped it forms a dense plant . Comes in a lovely purple too that tolerates sun and keeps its old leaves all winter so still screens .

If instant hedging works then I'd go for it - no expertise about this though!

Why not a climber?

How about a large red robin (photinia)? They’re really easy, I have one in full shade in the back garden and one in full sun in the front garden. Look nice all year round.
https://www.seagravenurseries.co.uk/hedging/other-hedging/photinia-red-robin/photinia-red-robin-5ft-6ft-150-175cm-plant-height-20-litre-pot

@AssassinsEyebrow I just want something that will grow in the bed alone, not needing something else to be built as well to grow it up. Despite the pleached tree types ones being pricey, I actually think they may be ideal really as I do just want something to block above the fence height and they'd keep the lower part in front of the fence simple. More money but I can stretch to make it worth it.

@CatherinedeBourgh these are the types of choices I find overwhelming as I don't know enough, but are all one to consider, thank you.

I’ve heard good things about this company, they seem to specialise in screening plants and pleached trees. https://www.paramountplants.co.uk/pleached-trees.html

Ooh, those guys have pleached magnolia grandiflora, that could be divine! Big white scented flowers all summer and large evergreen leaves.