Starting garden from scratch

Hi

We've a new border running alongside fencing with neighbours on the back and side fences.

Could anyone recommend plants (ideally evergreen) which will form some light screening without growing too deep i.e. taking up too much of the border. The garden gets reasonably sunshine throughout the day, and the soil is loamy/claylike.

Thank you in advance!

Choosing evergreen plants/shrubs

Reply from Kathy C

Hi, Kathydoll,
Oh, the ideas I have. However, before I give any advice, I need to know how wide the border is. Also, what is the tallest you would like the shrubs/plants to be. Don't want to recommend anything that won't fit :)
Kathy C.

Choosing evergreen plants/shrubs

Reply from Kathydoll

Hi!

It's about 1m deep down the side and at the back with a deeper bed in the corner (approx 2.5m); with regard to the height, probably not too much higher than about 6ft - main aim is to create a gentle screen. Also, given the bed is just dug there is the option to expand it slightly but not much more than 1.5m.

Looking forward to hearing your ideas!!

Kathydoll

Some ideas

Reply from Kathy C

Hi, Kathydoll,
There are loads of shrub that will fit your specs so here are some of my ideas..
Since your space is somewhat narrow, but you want to have a screen no higher than 6ft, have you considered using bamboo? It is evergreen, and if you get a clump-forming type, it won't take over the rest of your garden. Fargesia murielae is hardy, and though will get a little higher than you want, it is a great bamboo for screening. The cultivar'Simba' will get 2m high - perfect for what you want, but 'Amy', 'Bimbo' and 'Joy', though a little shorter, would work, too
If bamboo is not what you are looking for, then maybe these:
Cotoneaster lacteus 4m x 3m - lovely large leaves and clusters of red berries - a bit tall but gorgeous
Hebe - loads of options to choose from, and flowers, too - some are half-hardy, though so they need a sheltered spot
Ilex - especially, in my opinion, Ilex x meserveae.'Blue Princess' is a lovely cultivar growing 3 x 1.2m. It does need a male plant to pollinate the flowers but that is okay if you want a grouping of plants.
Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken'- a good old standby with glossy, dark green leaves.
Many dwarf/small Pittosporum to choose from
Viburnus tinus - maybe a bit overused but a great evergreen, late winter flowering shrub 2 x 2.5m
I am going to run out of room soon, so I will add another reply with a few more ideas.
Kathy C

And the rest....

Reply from Kathy C

So, to continue my list...
Ceanothus is another great choice and many to choose from - dark green leaves and blue flowers. Like Hebe, however, some are frost-tender so look for the hardiest cultivars or plant them in a sheltered spot.
Escallonia - again, many to choose from. Most get clusters of lovely pink flowers. 'Donard Seedling' is hardy, gets to about 2.5m tall and flowers in early summer. There are many more on the site to browse through. Just be mindful that some are frost tender.
If you are looking for a Mediterranean look, you could try..
My favourite, Cistus - they need fairly well-drained soil and full sun but they don't need much feeding at all (they like relatively poor soil for the most part) and the flowers are gorgeous. Though classified as frost tender, mine always thrived in my sheltered, London garden.
Leptospermum - tiny, evergreen leaves but this plant makes up for it when it is covered in flowers in spring. Again, these need a sheltered, sunny spot.
Well, those are some of my favs. I hope one or two sound like possibilities for your situation. Hopefully, other members will post ideas, too - it is always good to get another's preferences/perspective.
By the way, I realise this list is lacking any conifers, they just aren't my cup of tea usually but there are some good ones out there. Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Crippsii' is a great one if you like golden-yellow foliage.
If I think of any more tried and true 'great' ones - I will let you know.
Good luck and happy hunting!
Kathy C.

Design help

Reply from Nicola

Hi Kathydoll, Was Kathy helpful? We are trying to encourage people to write back to those who take the time to respond to questions in this forum. Some people feel a bit disheartened that they don't get a reply...I am sure Kathy would love to hear from you. All the best Nicola

Top Chick!

Reply from Kathydoll

Thank you so much for all those ideas!!! It's great to have that range of plants to choose from!

We're in the process of scouring nurseries and garden centres near by, and having some exact names to look out for is really helpful.

Kath
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