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Front of house privacy

Mike144Mike144 Posts: 6
in Garden design

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Hi everyone! This is my first post so please be gentle with me ????. We have quite a large driveway which runs along the front of our bungalow and would like to make things a bit more private. I'm not keen on building brick walls or putting up fencing. We'd like a more natural border to hide the front of the building such as fencing and hedges that will be wildlife friendly. Any suggestions would be most helpful.

Tia

mike

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  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 36,836

    Hello mike. Am I correct in assuming you are leaving openings at either end for ease of access? You can get a nice mixture of shrubs to give you all year round interest or you could just go for one species. It depends on what you have in mind.

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • Mike144Mike144 Posts: 6

    Hi, yes plan on leaving the ends open. Have you any suggestions on what species of shrubs? Thanks for the response btw ?

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 36,836

    You could go for a mix and pick from any of the following Holly, Berberis, Weigela, Escallonia; Ceanothus; Spiraea; Viburnum; Forsythia; Philadelphus; Lilac.

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,055

    Are you looking for something formal, or something softer - perhaps a mix of shrubs and perennials?

    How much of the gravelled area are you planning to do away with - I was thinking of a half-moon shaped bed, to give you a semi-circular driveway.  


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Mike144Mike144 Posts: 6

    Thanks Ladybird ?. think we'll be going for a more formal  look. I've though of a half moon shape but the porch sticks out too much. Are there any colourful shrubs/perennials youd recommend that can give a bit of colour?

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 11,929

    Hi Mike, just wondered, is it a sunny site? Which way does it face?

  • Mike144Mike144 Posts: 6

    Hi, yes it's South facing.

  • Mike144Mike144 Posts: 6

    double yellows all along the street I'm afraid.

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 36,836

    If you plant shrubs they will shade out the perennials so maybe just one or two pretty shrubs from the list I gave you. Hardy geraniums give long periods of colour. Lupins are nice and colourful. Brunnera and Alchemilla are nice too but you have to keep a check on Alchemilla as it seeds about. I love it for that though. Underplant with Spring bulbs. Roses are another option.

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,400

    Yes a few shade tolerant perennials would do fine, and would fill the gaps until the shrubs mature. Alchemilla would be a great start. 

    Last edited: 31 March 2017 23:17:29

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