Novice gardener ! Narrow flower bed!

michael.hearn

Hi, we have a new build home and at the back of our garden we have a very narrow flower bed measuring 43cm depth  (see attached), we are looking to plant some bushes /hedges that will give us a nice border and some privacy, Looking for evergreen and low maintenance that will grow 6-10 feet high , of course conscious of roots getting under the fence !  Any suggestions ? 

Fairygirl

Hi @michael.hearn - which way does the fence face? That will determine what will grow well for you.
Also - is that the full width of the garden, and is there anything else nearby which will cause shade?
It'll be tricky to get shrubs growing well as they will mostly grow out as well as up, so that total garden width will be a factor. However, it will be perfectly possible to get some nice cover 
It might be best to opt for some climbers, and then some lower growing ground cover. If it's sunny enough, there are things like Verbena bonariensis which will give some airy height, without taking up much room in any other direction. 

michael.hearn

Hi, 

thanks for your prompt response this is really helpful. My wife loves the climbers idea already !

The garden is north east facing and the fence is north facing.

that isn’t the full width of the garden just one of the patio areas of the garden which is where we plan to have table and chairs to eat, so should of said keen to avoid any plants that may attract bees! Sorry should of said!

will research the Verbena and bonariensis idea now, any other ideas gratefully received.

thanks again

Michal 

B3

Vebena bonarensis will not grow at all in the shade

Fairygirl

Ah - that narrows it down if you don't want to attract bees. Pretty much  all flowering plants attract insects of all kinds for pollination purposes. Climbers too, although some of the early flowering, double flowered clematis attract less bees/hoverflies as the flowers make it harder for them to get in. 

That really leaves you with just greenery like ivy and ferns. Euonymous will also grow there, and although it does flower, they are very small. You could add things like autumn crocus and cyclamen for ground cover. Although they flower, you may not be sitting there quite so often at that time of year.

valerieroberts

How about looking up Hydrangea petiolaris, evergreen, climbing ,north facing. Creamy flowers ( not very startling but an interest) just to cover. Valerie 

Loxley

Hydrangea petiolaris may start to pull the fence apart in time. Kind of boring, but what about Pyracantha? Can be trimmed/trained against the fence and either kept very neat or allowed to bush out if you prefer. The flowers do attract bees but only for a couple of weeks. Then you have red or orange berries which last well into winter and attract birds. It's evergreen and not expensive.

Loxley

You have multiple options for training it or simply allow it to grow as a hedge

Fairygirl

I should have asked at the start - is there a reason you're worried about bees @michael.hearn?

Most of them just go about their business, and have no real interaction with humans, so its really only a problem if you or your family have an allergic reaction to stings. 

I also wouldn't plant a Hydrangea pet. there. You really need a big wall for that. The flowers do attract a lot of activity too - and it's right in the middle of summer when they flower. One of my favourite plants