Tall evergreen next to house?

Hi everyone, I hope you're all well.

I would like to plant an evergreen shrub or tree or hedge for privacy that will ideally grow at least 6ft high. The problem I have is that where I want to plant it will be up against my house and very close to a front window, so I would like it to be as thin as possible one way so it doesn't grow across the window, and obviously also safe to be planted right next to the house without damaging foundations with roots etc.

Any ideas please? Thank you.

 

Hi Zoe,
I did the same thing to create a bit of privacy (much as i do like my neighbour)
If it needs to be really thin, then a stout trellis and a plant like escallonia or viburnum could do the job tied and trained.
I went for Holly. That might not suit everyone but it has proved to be very good indeed.
First it is about as safe with foundations as you'll find with it's close knit root ball.
It's safe straight into the ground. Also it responds excellent to trimmimg. I've now shaped ours to a standard with a ball shaped foliage. It's currently like a huge lollipop..
But it's that versatile, you can grow it how you like.
Mine is common Holly, but the varigated types are just beautiful. The only downside is you'll need to be patient to achieve the 6ft height you require, and ovs' its a prickly leaf.
Whilst there are faster growers, they will be likely to have more invasive roots.
This is my choice, but I'm sure there will be other suggestions!
You could also consider varigated Laurel. Faster than Holly, and very cheerful all year round. Nice tight white roots that shouldn't be too naughty..(if you trim it once a year at 6 or 7ft high the roots will respond accordingly and it'll be safe)
It's proper name is Aucuba japonica varigata and if you get the female it could also produce red berries (I love mine)
Good sized examples are expensive so I'd shop around at different nurseries but you only need one..

 

Hi Zoe, before recommending anything, it would be useful to know whereabouts in UK you are (climate), which way the wall faces (sun or shade) and roughly what the soil is like. Close to a house wall, there's likely to be builder's rubble/ cement etc, which would rule out acid-loving plants.

 

Hi Jymi Riddler and Noisette47, thank you for your replies and great advice. I'll definitely look into the holly idea. I am in South Suffolk, inland. The front of the house faces north, but the sun does move round and almost completely light up the front by late afternoon / the end of the day. As far as I know the soil is good, but that is all I know gardening-wise. My neighbours are growing things absolutely fine in the soil next to the boundary line. The area in front of the soil is grass. I hope that answers everything ok, sorry I'm not very good with gardening knowledge.

 

Thank you Armandii

 

Hello again Zoe, if you'd like something easy but a bit out of the ordinary, check out Rhamnus alaternus argenteovariegata (sorry about the name!). It's a beautiful shrub that can be kept columnar and isn't prickly :-)

 

Ooooh I just Googled it and that looks good too. Thank you. I might have a variety of plants going on