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Help with shrubs

Hi
We have a large garden bordering at least 6 other houses. The garden was very neglected and we are just starting to make ground. Because of the bordering issues, we have a variety of fencing. I've looked at putting up a fence all the way round inside our boundary but the cost is crazy.
So, I've decided to put some borders, and hide the mish mash fences with plants. It also means less grass.
The first border we've dug is half circle, Maybe 3ft deep in the thickest part and 12ft long. I'd like easy to maintain shrubs along the back, that will eventually hide fences and I'll stick bulbs in, would love some flower perennials and seasonal maybe bedding plants towards the front.
Can anyone recommend good shrubs that fit this brief please?
We live in the south of England.
Thank you!
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Posts

  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    There are so many that it is difficult to know where to begin! First, you need to know about growing conditions - is the soil acidic or alkaline or are you lucky enough to have neutral soil? Is it light or heavy; does it stay very wet in winter or does it dry to dust in summer? How much direct sun does the area get? Do your neighbours have their own shrubs or tall trees close by to compete for water and nutrients? All these things will influence your choice, so can you tell us a little more?
  • Thank you! Great reply...so much to think about.
    The bed is full sun. The ground is very much alkaline (no rhody growing here). Hard to say re water. Def after the summer we had the ground was dry and cracked, but it's nice and moist now despite minimal rain. Definitely not a water log area. And the 2 neighbours I have, one has a privet growing and the other not much in the way of plants at all.
    Thanks for reading...
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Hi Abby - the border is quite shallow to give enough scope for everything you mention, so that migth be tricky!
    Your soil can always be improved so that it retains moisture better, or alternatively, so that drainage is improved. Most plants grow best in soil which is open and free draining. If you don't intend planting right away, you can add some bags of well rotted manure to the ground, which will help achieve that over winter. If you don't have access to some stables, you can buy bags in G. Centres and diy stores. Just spread on top of the soil, and the worms and weather will help mix it in. 
    As to shrubs - there are some which will be fine in almost any situation, like Potentillas, but improving each planting hole with compost, and watering well until established,  will help most things thrive. Ceanothus will be fine in the aspect you have too. You'll only be able to easily fit a couple of shrubs in that bed, and it depends on whether you want a symmetrical look , or something more free flowing. You could have one central shrub and then a smaller type on each side [Hebes would work well] with the rest of the bed filled with a mix of tall perennials and bulbs/groundcover.
    The biggest issue is that it will be difficult to get something with height to hide fences, when you don't have the depth. It might be better to have climbers, but I don't know whether your bed is against the fence, or in the middle of the garden? 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • abbyturner1904abbyturner1904 Posts: 6
    edited November 2018
    Thank you Fairygirl. Some great ideas, I'll check out your suggestions and manure is a great plan x
  • MarranMarran Posts: 195
    How about attaching reed screening to the fence/s?  I've looked - it's about £6.25 per metre from Wickes. 
  • Thanks Marran. That's a great option too!
  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    Whatever you do, try and plant the shrubs a sensible distance from the fence so you can reach all around to prune or if you choose any hedging type plants. Consider the eventual mature width.
    Many of us ( though I am sure not all ) plant things too close to fences.
    Then either spoil the eventual shape of the shrub by constantly hacking it back or reducing the height.
    And give us more work to do when we could be enjoying other things in the garden like a nice glass of wine :D
    So keep it in mind.
    Along with Fairygirls idea of climbers. obelisks or some simple wigwams of hazel stick are a cheap option., you can try things out.

    A slow growing but nice smaller lilac with little leaves is Syringa meyeri Palabin. It still has tons of sweet smelling flowers but a smaller scale than the big ones. But not for very long.
    I use a clematis (viticella type) over it to give some later colour.
    This can be cut back to the ground in winter, the dead bits are easy to cut remove and any little bits just dry up and fly away in winter, and it will come again next year.

    Grasses might be another partial option, some look great in winter too.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Most shrubs will easily grow to 3 ft plus in depth, so may I suggest that your border needs to be wider (I know, it's more hard work!) but it will be worth it in the long run.
    Your plan to cover up the mix of fencing with shrubs is a good one but to cut down on the cost, you could get a mix of bare root native shrubs for, say 50-75% of the length you need to cover, with a couple of choicer shrubs for the remainder. Bare root shrubs like cornus or viburnum should be in the garden centres right now - just ask the staff if you're not sure.    
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Thanks so much Rubytoo and Lizzie27! Great ideas to look in to, thank you! X
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    I have been thinking about this all day as I went about my various tasks. In the end I realised that I had a notional list of about 30 shrubs. Just a few too many for your space. I think the best thing is to go to some garden centres and choose what appeals to you. Take a big helping of self control,though or you will end up with 30 anyway! Enjoy!
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