I'd agree with that @Balgay.Hill. I'd go with the first option though. The shrubs - and any planting, wouldn't need to be very big - just around the height of the wall, or slightly more. Too big and they'll cause more shade in that small space. Had a similar situation in a previous garden, but there was a reasonable drop on the other side of the wire fence, so it was more of a ha-ha, although it wasn't a completely vertical drop. A little bit of greenery just meant the coos didn't get in too easily
What shrubs would you suggest @Fairygirl ? I'm thinking hebe, hydrangea, buddleia, russian sage, daylily, roses. Maybe not enough space for all them but something that has the least maintenance...
Those ones you mention have some different requirements, and while you can often get away with it re a bit of shade etc, the soil and the amount of sun, is important, and can save making expensive mistakes. Your general climate is also a big factor. With the best will in the world, there are things I just can't successfully grow here, and the same is true of those in hotter, drier areas
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Sorry - but it's not really enough info to give sensible suggestions The drainage is another factor. There are shrubs which aren't too fussy- Spireas, Potentillas etc, and Buddleias can generally cope with most soil and aspect, but there are good evergreens which might suit if we know more about the soil and the aspect. For example - there's no point having an Acer or a Rhododendron if the site's in full sun all day, and the soil's alkaline.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
It's best to look at your conditions - soil type, drainage/moisture, aspect (how much of the day the area gets sun, primarily spring to autumn), climate (cold, rainfall, exposure to wind etc) and then choose shrubs that will suit, or at least tolerate, the conditions that you have.
You can then narrow it down by height, spread, colours you like, evergreen, deciduous or a mixture, etc.
Have a look around your area and see what's growing well in other people's gardens - that should give you some idea of what might do well for you.
It probably sounds very complicated, but let us know what conditions you have and I'm sure there'll be lots of good suggestions.
Of the shrubs you mentioned, Russian sage (Perovskia) likes well-drained sandy soil and a a fair bit sun - I grow it here on well-drained pebbly sandy soil. Hydrangea the opposite, they like moisture and some shade - I can't grow them without a lot of watering so I don't bother. Roses apparently prefer heavy rich soil but I see them around here on the sand so I guess they're not ridiculously fussy. Buddleia will grow in most places, the problem can be stopping it (an annual hard prune in early spring is good for most varieties but they don't need much attention otherwise). Not all Hebes are fully hardy, particularly the pretty variegated/pink/purple leaved varieties and the large-leaved ones, so they're best in a mild sheltered spot. Day lilies are perennials not shrubs, so they'll die down in the winter, but some perennials between or in front of your shrubs is no bad thing. And spring bulbs for early colour are always nice.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
As @JennyJ says - the sage won't be happy if it doesn't have lighter soil and good drainage, and many Hebes are often dodgy here, so if you're in a colder, wetter area, they don't do well. You might be ok there, but some don't make it through winter here, even what I would call mild winters. A mix of heights and seasonal colour would be good, with the bulbs/perennials Jenny mentions. Something like a Sorbus [rowan not whitebeam] planted at one end would also be excellent, as @Balgay.Hill mentioned earlier. That will frame the views rather than blocking it.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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Those ones you mention have some different requirements, and while you can often get away with it re a bit of shade etc, the soil and the amount of sun, is important, and can save making expensive mistakes.
Your general climate is also a big factor. With the best will in the world, there are things I just can't successfully grow here, and the same is true of those in hotter, drier areas
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
The drainage is another factor.
There are shrubs which aren't too fussy- Spireas, Potentillas etc, and Buddleias can generally cope with most soil and aspect, but there are good evergreens which might suit if we know more about the soil and the aspect.
For example - there's no point having an Acer or a Rhododendron if the site's in full sun all day, and the soil's alkaline.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Looks like a great spot for birds of prey.
A mix of heights and seasonal colour would be good, with the bulbs/perennials Jenny mentions. Something like a Sorbus [rowan not whitebeam] planted at one end would also be excellent, as @Balgay.Hill mentioned earlier. That will frame the views rather than blocking it.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...