North facing fence cover help please

Hi everyone
Part of our fence faces north and is also quite close to a rowan tree.
I'm looking for a couple of good plants to cover it and put in some height - we can dig out more bed if necessary, that's not a problem.
Are Hydrangea Petiolaris and Skimmia worth looking at? I've planted an evergreen clematis that says it's shade tolerant but it's young and we'll have to see what it makes of its new home!

I've attached a pic (I hope!) so any suggestions or advice would be great.

I don't want to use Ivy really because it will grow through the fence panels and force them apart - and we're already over-run with it anyway!

Many thanks
Lindsay

Re: North facing fence cover help please

Reply from Pauline Cobbold

I had hydrangea petiolaris on a very shady north facing stone house wall and it was magnificent- one of my favourite plants. A quick trim once a year was all it needed. I miss it as I cant find a place for one in my new home.

Re: Re: North facing fence cover help please

Reply from MARILYN MATHEWS

I had a similar situation and settled for a Wisteria which seems to have solved the problem. This is a beautiful climber and won't take over.

Re: North facing fence cover help please

Reply from John

Hydrangea Petiolaris is an excelent idea. Also, Akibia quinata (choclate vine) is semi evergreen and a bit different.

Re: North facing fence cover help please

Reply from Angela Neal

I have almost an exact replica of this bare bed sitting in my new garden too.

I am planning to try rhodedendron, hostas, dogwood and ferns.

Bleeding Heart and Hellebores should also do well. I already have some of these in other lightly shaded parts of the garden.

If the plants don't do well my Plan B is to try training a Vinca Minor down around a chicken wire planter shaped into a cone. You probably won't want to try this is you are avoiding trailing plants.

Re: North facing fence cover help please

Reply from Lindsay Sidwell

Hello all
Thanks for taking the time to respond.. I'm certainly going to try a hydrangea, then put some shrubs in front of it I think. I've read that hydrangeas take a while to establish and to start growing, so I guess it will be a good idea to let some moths out of my purse and go for a decently sized plant - as long as it has a good root system too of course!
thanks once again for all your suggestions,
Lindsay

Re: North facing fence cover help please

Reply from smithrick

Hydrangea Petiolaris is an excelent concept. Also, Akibia quinata (choclate vine) is partial time tested and a bit different.