Something that isn't bamboo

[dick27]

I have tried, and failed, to have bamboo as a kind of privacy screen. I am looking for something of that ilk that might do the job? And I'm drawing a blank. The privacy aspect only really matters in the warmer months so maybe I don't need an evergreen, but something that grows to 2-4ft ish in pots in a high up windy exposed spot in the north of england. Does anything suitable spring to mind?

Describe the space / aspect etc a bit more. Are you after a hedge type shape? Lonicera nitida is fast growing and easy to manage in that height range. Yew hedging will grow anywhere and behave as you ask it to but is extremely toxic if ingested. Not one for young families.

I'm not sure what else I can add space/aspect wise? I don't want boxy hedge, or anything toxic. I want an element of privacy, but not a complete black out.

Is it in sun or shade? Does it need to be in pots or can it go in the ground?

Tall grasses like miscanthus sinensis might be a bamboo alternative? You cut them right back in winter but they grow back each year. Probably prefer to be in the ground in sunshine. And probably needs tying in towards the end of summer as gets vast and sometimes floppy.

Would you consider putting in a trellis. Trachelospermum jasminoides is evergreen and can be quite quickly trained up a trellis to make a marrow barrier. Bonus is incredible fragrance when in flower. Again, likes sunshine.

If the space is shadier climbing hydeangea could go over a trellis.

It's a sunny spot. It's probably too windy and too high up for trellis. I did say it has to be in pots.

griselinia and pyracantha seem to do well in the windswept hedges round me, although it's south rather than north. Or hawthorn?

How about phormium?

https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/phormium

They come in various sizes and are fairly robust.

I think north tolerant is important and I don't necessarily want hedge like. I like grasses. I wonder if there is some type of grass that might fit the bill but that won't need to tying back and is drought tolerant and wind tolerant. I'm aware that what I want might just not exist. I have a lovely grassy thing in another spot that looks perfect now. I don't know what type it is but it clearly comes to life in october. I want that, but in summer.

At only 2-4 ft high you could get rose bushes, bay, ant fruit tree.

If you post a picture, there will be someone who can identify it.

Miscanthus and pampas grass should be hardy in the north H5-H7.

Their peak is autumn for the flower spikes, but will still be nice and grassy in the summer.

www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials-awards/using-award-winning-plants/10-award-winning-grasses-for-your-autumn-garden

Thank you. I think my currently lovely grass is miscanthus. I've dismissed pampass before as I think it's sharp no? I have a cat and dog. I love that reddish fountain grass and that might be just what I want/need. Thank you.

I've got a miscanthus in a North facing spot and it's lovely now, but there's not much to look at in early summer.
How about a row of pleached apple trees? In your pots, with a couple of branches trained out horizontally but not allowed to grow tall. They will need a semipermanent bamboo cane framework.

Ah, just seen you don't want hedge-like!

I've tied myself up in knots looking at different grass types and haven't made a decision.

This striped muscanthus is very striking and quite robust https://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/miscanthus-sinensis-zebrinus/classid.2027/sku.PL00003958/?wickedsource=google&wickedid=CjwKCAjw3NHWBhANEiwAtpwId0RfKgECI4jOE4G0JYZzHlPZEKUsJB1CQTkFWJR9sm9sUTvzUYrJOhoCjekQAvD_BwE&w_adid=&w_campaignid=15800828825&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=15800828825&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=15793456071&gbraid=0AAAAADohxryNYGz_p-6z77OBF9IH8jFRs&gclid=CjwKCAjw3NHWBhANEiwAtpwId0RfKgECI4jOE4G0JYZzHlPZEKUsJB1CQTkFWJR9sm9sUTvzUYrJOhoCjekQAvD_BwE

it looks great partnered with anemones but they might not stay upright in your windy spot. Perhaps plant something with a long flowering season in the bottom of the pots to create more interest and soften the edges eg geranium roxanne azure rush (the latter is slightly more compact)

https://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/geranium-rozanne-gerwat-pbr/classid.2000015974/

How about rough horsetail. Very similar characteristics to bamboo and pretty tough & versatile (provided you keep it damp enough)

Is it possible you can put other stuff in pots too nearer wherever you are wanting the privacy from?

most of my tall miscanthus grasses don’t really get going till later in the year.

https://www.themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk/how-increase-garden-privacy/

I have Miscanthus sinensis 'Kleine Fontäne' currently saved in a basket. Does anyone have this?

I use Stipa Gigantea for cover, it grows to 6-8 ft high, and is light enough to waft about but thick enough to block anything out. My cats love it, and spend all day under it all summer.