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Borders

andreamoretonandreamoreton Posts: 46
in Plants
Hi I have just had a lot of old  established shrubs taken out  of my border as I have had to have new fencing .I have been left with so many roots of old plants it's impossible to dig them all out.
What can I put in place to grow up New  Fence and fill in the border which is about 4ft wide?
Quick growing !!
Many Thanks!!

Posts

  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Hello @andreamoreton, apart from the roots of your old shrubs, what is your soil like (clay, sandy, chalk etc), what direction does your border face and are you in a sheltered or exposed area?  These details will enable suitable recommendations to be made, and a photo would help too!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • andreamoretonandreamoreton Posts: 46
    Plantminded said:
    Hello @andreamoreton, apart from the roots of your old shrubs, what is your soil like (clay, sandy, chalk etc), what direction does your border face and are you in a sheltered or exposed area? These details will enable suitable recommendations to be made, and a photo would help too!

    Hi the Garden is South facing, so plenty of Sun the soil has clay in it, have had a Camellia growing there for years, sadly had to cut it back.
    Photos here.
    Thanks!

    


  • andreamoretonandreamoreton Posts: 46
    Photos!
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    edited January 2022
    That looks like a good space and the soil looks pretty good too.  It really depends on your own likes and dislikes, but if you want something that is quick growing to conceal your fence, I would recommend a selection of evergreen shrubs, with some ornamental grasses and tall perennials to add interest and colour.  Assuming your soil is relatively neutral in pH, see what you think of these:

    Evergreen shrubs:  Griselina littoralis, Thuja plicata, Laurus nobilis, Phormium (I prefer the variegated one), Portuguese laurel
    Grasses:  Any Miscanthus, my favourites are M. zebrinus and M. Malpartus, Calamagrostis Karl Foerster, Panicum North Wind
    Perennials: Verbena bonariensis, Helianthus Lemon Queen, Gillenia trifoliata, Bronze fennel

    You could also add some spring bulbs in the autumn for early colour, like daffodils, tulips and alliums. Before planting, I'd suggest you improve your soil with some compost or soil conditioner to extra organic matter.  The shrubs will benefit from an organic feed once planted like blood fish and bone but your perennials and grasses won't need it.  Good luck!


    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • andreamoretonandreamoreton Posts: 46
    Plantminded said:
    That looks like a good space and the soil looks pretty good too. It really depends on your own likes and dislikes, but if you want something that is quick growing to conceal your fence, I would recommend a selection of evergreen shrubs, with some ornamental grasses and tall perennials to add interest and colour. Assuming your soil is relatively neutral in pH, see what you think of these:

    Evergreen shrubs: Griselina littoralis, Thuja plicata, Laurus nobilis, Phormium (I prefer the variegated one), Portuguese laurel
    Grasses: Any Miscanthus, my favourites are M. zebrinus and M. Malpartus, Calamagrostis Karl Foerster, Panicum North Wind
    Perennials: Verbena bonariensis, Helianthus Lemon Queen, Gillenia trifoliata, Bronze fennel

    You could also add some spring bulbs in the autumn for early colour, like daffodils, tulips and alliums. Before planting, I'd suggest you improve your soil with some compost or soil conditioner to extra organic matter. The shrubs will benefit from an organic feed once planted like blood fish and bone but your perennials and grasses won't need it. Good luck!



    Thank you so much!!
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