Fast growing shrubs ?

Dee · Post by **Dee** » 11 Apr 2009, 07:39

I have a pathway leading up to the garden with a narrow border along side, the fence between us and the neighbours garden is not very high there so want something fast growing to give some privacy.
Any ideas, thanks
Dee

silky · Post by **silky** » 11 Apr 2009, 08:08

For a fast hedge, Leylandi will grow about a metre a year in height however, a lot of local councils have bylaws on the height you will be allowed to grow them as they can grow up to 30 metres tall.

If its privacy you’re after I would clip the top at the two metre height. That will stop it growing any higher and then it will start to fill out.

My friend has a hedge which he keeps trimmed and it looks nice. He also trims the other side to keep his neighbour happy.

blackie_fen · Post by **blackie_fen** » 11 Apr 2009, 08:15

See if you can score some trellis on freecycle (or make some) and set honeysuckle up it - it's evergreen and fast growing, and it smells fantastic.

Black lace (sambuca nigra) grows fast up to about 9' if you prune it hard every spring and puts out lots of ferny black/red foliage every spring as well.

Buddleia are fast growing and easy to grow, and great for hoverflies and other beneficial insects, and you can get a range of colours.

Pyracantha grows quickly as well, and will attract lots of birds to the garden.

Post by Mo » 11 Apr 2009, 08:17

That's the snag with fast -growing. They keep you busy with the Shears. And if the border is narrow you don't want a fight to get along the path.

How about a trellis with climbers?

Lilo-Lil · Post by **Lilo-Lil** » 11 Apr 2009, 14:14

Trellis with clemetis such as "Montana" looks good. It grows quite quick too, and is just coming into flower now in my garden.

For evergreen how about "Goldcrest" which is a soft-leaved conifer type. You can buy these small in son-of-morris or B&Qfor less than £2 each. I put some in 3 years ago in a similar position, and they are about 6 ` tall now. They are only about 18 inches or so across, and are a lovely light green colour.

Dee · Post by **Dee** » 11 Apr 2009, 19:44

Thanks for all the suggestions, im off to the D I Y shops and garden centers tomorrow
Dee

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » 12 Apr 2009, 09:29

I have used the leylandi and climbing plants before and they worked a treat - if you can find some cheap bamboo as well, that will block a view and look nice.

Down side is you may find pandas snacking on your lawn

daveindeal · Post by **daveindeal** » 13 Apr 2009, 15:48

how about passion fruit.

we have a large section of it as a seperator growinmg iup a trellis.

really fast growing, get lovely big flowers, and big orange fruit.

pluss really resliant, we hack it back evry so often and it keeps coming back for more thicker and stronger.