There's already a Fatsia further down, but they certainly work as a tropical plant, and easy to prune back and re shape etc. I had to shift mine earlier this year so it was hacked to the ankles, bunged into it's new position, and it's looking great. They're very useful evergreens, even if they do look rough after winter.
Good to know you did that successfully with the Elder @Obelixx. I've only ever grown them as shrubs. I expect you need a good, well shaped specimen to start with though
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
You can grow elder as a single trunked tree I have a rather large one about 5m tall and 25cm or so diameter to the trunk. It is a wild type not a cultivar.
The Sambucus Nigra was mentioned because it is more slower growing compared with the straight Elder. Also more forgiving for a wider range of conditions compared with some multi-stemmed shrubs.
For most shrubs, the first 3 years would be slow whilst they adapt to the new surroundings and roots settle in. They can be pruned to single stem and also encouraged for a more multi-stemmed look. The areas you have shown are small areas and very close to the boundary, so personally, choosing something a lot less vigorous would be my priority.
Trachycarpus Fortunei could be another option for a more tropical look.
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https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/plants.cfm?pn_id=194&var_id=865
Good to know you did that successfully with the Elder @Obelixx. I've only ever grown them as shrubs. I expect you need a good, well shaped specimen to start with though
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
As you are aiming for a bit of a tropical look, you might want to consider a tetrapanax.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/191283/tetrapanax-papyrifer-rex-/Details
I've no experience of growing them .... as I don't think they'd do too well here in Scotland .... but they do look amazing.
Bee x
A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
I've done the same thing here to a Persian silk tree - albizzia julibrissin - and a culinary bay. I'll see if I can find photos to give you the idea.
For most shrubs, the first 3 years would be slow whilst they adapt to the new surroundings and roots settle in. They can be pruned to single stem and also encouraged for a more multi-stemmed look. The areas you have shown are small areas and very close to the boundary, so personally, choosing something a lot less vigorous would be my priority.
Trachycarpus Fortunei could be another option for a more tropical look.