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New House and Garden

alfibrookesalfibrookes Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Just moved and new house's small garden faces SW with a 3m patio, steps down to a lawn approx 15m wide and 10 m long, sloping down to this house that blocks our views.  Wonderful views only on either side of this huge house (block of 4 flats I think)only about a metre away from the bottom of our lawn which is edged with overgrown shrubs and climbers. The house has a neglected looking flat roofed extension and a large scruffy window(upstairs)that overlooks us. We can only see the top of their downstairs windows due to the slope and our garden fence and undergrowth. Id like to plant a tree that would quickly grow to 15-20 feet to screen/distract from the window -but have ruled out birch as too large for this small garden? Id like something very wildlife friendly and not necessarally evergreen. Could anyone help? Weve only just moved in so werent going to do anything much thus first year except plant a couple of trees, there being none in the back garden!

Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Nothing will "quickly grow to 15-20 feet " then stop. It'll keep on growing quickly. 
    The other option is to grow something which will get to that height a lot more slowly.
    Devon.
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    If you plant the tree higher up the slope it will not need to be so tall, could be a nice feature in itself and still substantially increase your privacy.
  • InglezinhoInglezinho Posts: 568
    edited March 2021
    Three nice trees to block out the view, though not yet.....Silver birch does not get very big. Mountain ash and dwarf willow. Three fairly vigorous clematis ie.montana (Spring), Jackmanii (Summer) and just about any other hybrid ( there are hundreds ). They are climbers and quickly fill the space. Fast-growing annuals for the ground ie. marigolds, pansies etc.
    Go to a good nursery where you can get all of them, plus advice. For example what kind of soil do you have? Don't be in a rush; in most parts of the country there is still a risk of frost. Good luck !
    Everyone likes butterflies. Nobody likes caterpillars.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Have a look at Amelanchier 
    https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/amelanchier-lamarckii/
     
    Not fast growing but not slow either... great for wildlife, blossom in spring, fruit in summer (tasty too if the birds don’t get it first) and gorgeous autumn colour. 

    Fine to plant now even if we’re still getting some frosts, as long as the ground isn’t frozen hard ... ... just make sure you don’t pack frosty soil around the roots  😊 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • alfibrookesalfibrookes Posts: 2
    Thank you very much everybody, for your kind responses and advice. I had lots to think about. Decided to go for spending a lot of money on a couple of small trees that are already quite tall including an Amelanchier! And apart from planting the trees I will identify whats already in the garden and leave it all a year to see what comes up and what it all looks like this summer. 
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