Help with a situation

Rockhopper · February 2022

Hi
I wonder if anybody could offer some advice on what would help screen the site of a plastic outhouse someone has built behind the fence at the end of my garden , the previous owner of my home had let a Laurel grow to monstrous proportions which did help , I’ve cut it right back to try and get it back into order whilst doing this I’ve cleared an area as can be seen by the pics , the downfall to this is its now all open, I’ve been trying to rack my brains as to what to plant up against the fence that would help screen that shed , I quite fancy anything that the birds would benefit from either by food or shelter , which would grown high enough and thick enough to hide that area .
Any suggestions ?

Thanks in advance

Angelicant · February 2022

Ceanothus, Photinia or Eleagnus or Viburnum would do the job. All evergreen but with a bit more colour interest than Laurel. The birds like mine in the garden and bees love the Ceanothus. There are some who don't like the first two, especially Photinia (too municipal) but I find all of them really useful plants.

punkdoc · February 2022

Before planting suggestions we need to know what direction the fence faces, because things like Ceanothus won't grow in shade.
Moisture levels in the soil would also be useful, before suggestions are given.

Rockhopper · February 2022

Thanks
that particular fence faces ne sort of direction but that corner gets sun for a good part of the day as it swings round saying that most of the shrubs on the right of the garden and that tree for instance tend to grow left towards the sun . The ground has a lot of clay in it , but I have dug abit of gravel and compost into the area.

Thanks

Posy · February 2022

I'd go for eleagnus, the ones with a lot of gold in the leaves - I forget the name - they grow in shade and clay and brighten up a dark corner. You can cut them to the height and width you want. They are tough and forgiving.

Fairygirl · February 2022

Whatever you plant, it's going to take a while to get sizeable. The laurel will also grow back, so you'll have to be prepared to keep it under control.

Mahonia or Ilex [holly] will be fine there though.

Pete.8 · February 2022

Elaeagnus 'Quicksilver' would brighten the area up and it does grow fast.
I keep mine quite small by pruning whenever it needs it.
It has a mass of very scented yellow flowers in spring and the silvery foliage is attractive especially when the wind catches it.
It does loose leaves in the autumn though

GardenerSuze · February 2022

I grow Viburnham Rhytidophyllum in a shady corner but it does make me sneeze! Unusual leaves but I keep my distance.

Rockhopper · February 2022

Thanks for ll the advise everyone , much appreciated .out of curiosity do the birds eat the viburnham berries ?

Thanks

Fairygirl · February 2022

I've not seen them eat any, but maybe I've not noticed. Blackbirds and thrushes probably though. They're too busy eating the sloes in my garden.

I have to admit, I struggled to see the problem in your pic re the building. You should see the arrangement of 'outbuildings' the idiot across the back from me has. I'd gladly swap

Help with a situation

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