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Tall-ish, thin evergreen plants?

jenna.lm21jenna.lm21 Posts: 1
in Plants
I have a tiny urban front garden that I’m building a new bed in. It is L-shaped, only 70 cm wide + 200 cm long each side. I’m trying to decide on a few evergreen structural plants that can give some height, but are skinny enough to not take up all the space! 

Any suggestions? 

For details: it’s SE facing, full sun, light clay but well draining, neutral soil. 

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Some grasses would fit the tall and skinny bit, but they usually die back over winter.
    The seed heads that remain over winter can look really good and last until the following spring when you cut it all back to the ground and they start growing again.
    I have a row of Calamagrostis Karl Foerster which looks good all year round.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Calamagrostis Karl Foester stands well all winter. It is cut down end of February almost to ground level. It then starts to regrow for the new season. See Knoll Gardens website for photos.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Clumping Bamboo stays green and compact and if it spreads in width you can chop it down to where you want it. 

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Another vote for Calamagrostis Karl Foerster.  I have a similar sized bed with a staggered row of 9 plants in it:



    Alternatively, Griselinia littoralis will give you a narrow evergreen hedge.  I have one which is six foot high but only a foot deep, shown here in front of my neighbour's laurel hedge. 




    I've also used Griselinia as specimen shrubs in a mixed border of Buddleja and Bay laurel (Laurus noblis).  The Buddleja is not evergreen but retains some foliage  and faded flowers over winter which are attractive - small birds feed on the seeds. They can all be kept to a reasonable size with regular pruning. This would give you more interest than a hedge of one species.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Euonymus 'Green Pencil' perhaps. Juniperus 'Hibernica'.... might be a bit tight for Irish Yew. If you don't mind a broad canopy overhead - which will not take up space within the bed - what about an evergreen clear-stemmed shrub/small tree? E.g. a standard Photinia or Cotoneaster?
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
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