Vibernums for privacy in narrow bed?

cxct6b69n698898 · November 2023

We have a double story house going up next to us and our entire yard will be exposed. Our yard is higher than theirs so our fence sits on brick wall retaining. Nothing grows well in our existing garden bed which is about 50cm deep.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/8r/vnylpn7u1qbe.jpeg

deep as the roots are between the brick retaining wall and the pool. We can’t put in any trees as the roots will just bust the wall, or our pool. I have planted creeping fig hoping that it would hedge, but as it is now growing on the other side of the fence, it will be many years before we get any privacy this way. We don’t want to use bamboo due to the leaf drop in the pool.

I am thinking of putting in a limestone garden bed to get some height and to provide more good quality soil for the roots. Would vibernums work ok in such a narrow space? The bricklayer has suggested the size of plantable space will only be 30cm deep by the time we get the limestone blocks in on both sides.

Do I just give the garden bed more depth by placing some of the limestone blocks on top of the existing concrete? Say 45cm total. This would mean we can’t walk comfortably around that side of the pool and would make pruning and maintenance interesting for us. The wall also is on the north aspect (in Australia) so we would need to put in established plants so they can receive some sunlight. (Another reason why previous plants have not done so great in this spot.)

I have had someone suggest lily pilly would be a better option.

JennyJ · November 2023

That bed is very narrow and probably very dry being crammed in between the retaining wall and the pool and paving. The succulents (aloes?) that you already have are probably a good choice for the conditions. Viburnums are big shrubs and need plenty of room for their roots, width as well as depth. The feeding roots of a tree or shrub are mostly the ones that spread out wide, near the surface, so generally they don't do very well in narrow confined beds. They'd also overhang the pool (as would any shrub tall enough to reach above the fence). If the fence belongs to you, it might be better to add some trellis to the top. Do it before the house is occupied - they can't complain then.

Edit: I don't know about Lily Pilly - I don't think it's hardy here.

Dovefromabove · November 2023

Apart from anything else please bear in mind that even evergreen shrubs and trees drop their leaves … quite often losing some the whole year round … you’re going to spend a lot of time skimming them out of your pool … even if it’s covered.

Plantminded · November 2023

Are there restrictions on the height of fences where you are, like there are in the UK?

GardenerSuze · November 2023

@cxct6b69n698898 Evergreen tall deep Blue Agapanthus grow well in Australia maybe a little too well? They are fine with restricted roots. When in flower you will get some height. Normally you would cut back the seed heads after flowering but because they are so prolific perhaps you could keep them for a while?
The problem is with any plant with height it wlll need room for bigger roots. The only plants that I can think of where this does not apply is with grasses some of the grey ones are evergreen. Viburnums can be deciduous or evergreen large and medium in size. a big family of plants.

Fairygirl · November 2023

I think Viburnum of any kind is absolutely the wrong choice in that site.
Perhaps making a raised bed would be better, and you then wouldn't so much height with the planting. It would also give more root space for the planting, and make access easier for maintenance.
If the fence is yours [we have to be careful of that in the UK] you could consider a climber instead, but the access isn't ideal.

Fellsman · November 2023

I agree that Vibernum may not be the answer. Tall specimens are like small trees with roots to match. Same for cotoneaster which is also very prune-able. It looks to me (based on seating at end of pool) that your fence is already well over 6ft? So to get something that is significantly taller again without large roots suggests a climber to me (with trellis).

There are some very tall grasses but that won't be year round. (Well not as they're grown in UK).

On the plus side I am assuming hardiness isn't an issue, I guess you might be frost free year round so there could be a host of sub-tropical or desert plants that would never even occur to most of us.

Vibernums for privacy in narrow bed?

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