Plants/hedging for privacy in an awkward position. Seeking advice

We are looking to remove a shed and replace it with some plants that will provide privacy. The space to fill is around 3.5m in length. However, we have a large cypress tree immediately next to the space and I guess it will have expansive roots that will prove difficult for planting (is this correct?).

We are looking for something that has a little colour (either variegated leaves, berries or flowers at some time during the year). We want to put something there that is already around 8ft tall so that it will not take years to grow to the height we are looking for. We would consider either a form of hedging, bushes or small trees.

If we cannot plant we would consider having something in a large pot(s) but ideally would like not to simply go with standard ready-made laurel hedging.

The area gets sun until mid-afternoon and will then be in the shade.

We know very little about plants and gardening so would welcome any advice.

Could anybody give any advice or recommendations? Many thanks in advance for reading this and any input you may have

 

Not very helpful I'm afraid, but I just wanted to say that if you buy something that is already 8 ft tall it will probably need pruning if you want it to remain at that height. Also, a mature plant will be more expensive and will have a bigger root ball, which will need a bigger hole to accommodate it.
Pictures of the area are always useful.

 

Hi, a picture of the space would help but instant gardening just doesn't work out very well in practice and the larger the plant you buy, the more work you will need to do to keep it alive until it establishes.
Without seeing the space I think that it would be simplest and cheaper, to go with a fence as it will provide instant privacy. With a fence you cold grow something to compliment it, like a rose, honeysuckle, or even start with smaller plants and grow them into the hedge you would like. You would have the extra expense of the fence but it would be far cheaper as big plants can be extortionate but little bare root ones aren't.

 

You could consider replacing your shed with a pergola and cover it with climbers for some privacy perhaps. Or a pergola with a slatted roof which you can angle like a Venetian blind might be an option.

 

A photo would really help...a structure be it a fence or a trellis of sorts may be the solution. The obsession with privacy in the outdoors always bemuses me, but context is important.

 

It's also not an ideal time to plant anything large and woody - autumn is better. That's for the reason @katecat58 mentions, but also because getting it established over the next couple of months takes a lot of effort - hence cutting back to make it easier for the plant.
It's never easy to plant already mature shrubs/hedging because of that, and smaller plants establish and thrive more readily than larger ones.

Photo definitely needed, as well as a general idea of your location. Climate and conditions vary enormously around the country. There will be plenty of things that will do the job, but without more info, it's very difficult to suggest viable solutions.
Cotoneasters will work almost anywhere though, and many are evergreen

 

I don't think it is an obsession, just a desire to relax without being in a fishbowl.

 

mo idea! I think the Pergola/trellis is a nice idea.

Although I have no immediate neighbours as such, we installed this trellis to give privacy to our seating area ... (climbing plants still in progress)

 

I would wait until your shed is removed and then you can see exactly where you need the privacy, you could also then post some photos which will help tailor the advice. We recently had a large tree removed and we’re also concerned, in advance, with the associated loss in privacy.

Once removed, we were surprised as the actual gaps in screening were not quite where we had expected. We had been undecided on what to do so decided to live with it for a few weeks and then decide. Having done so the only real gap which bothers us (and my OH much more than me) is when we are sat on one bench some way away from the tree, a neighbour’s downstairs window is now in full view. Completely psychological as I doubt they stand there looking into our garden.

Anyway we have completely solved this by relocating an existing obelisk. Even without a climber on it, yet to be purchased, it breaks the sight lines and we feel private again.

If we had immediately bought gone out and bought some screening plants (or done so in advance) we would have made the wrong choice and put it in the wrong position.

 

Many thanks for your advice. Having read them we have relocated the shed and are now left with a space about 8 ft by 4 ft and think we will put a raised bed.

 

I have a similar solution to the trellis etc, and it's just a simple screen made with posts and battens, and I have a border in front of it, with climbers on the screen as well.
Very easy to do yourself as you need very few skills other than the ability to attach battens, dig holes, and can use a spirit level!
Mine has gone through a few alterations over time, but it's very useful, and was particularly good while I waited for the boundary planting to establish and mature.
10 years ago

5 years ago


last year

 

Just love that idea @fairygirl, so simple yet so effective.

 

That looks lovely @fairygirl What a clever idea!

 

That's very impressive @fairygirl, do you do contract work ?

 

Especially like the 'firing position' in the centre. Worse than an overlooking neighbour is one doing something interesting that you can't quite see !