What to put in little nook?

Having waited three weeks for some more purple slate scree to turn up at our local garden centre I have finally been able to finish the wee little nook that needed doing! Now I've done it I need something to fill the gap as it were as it looks a little odd just left empty and I don't want it turning into a space where everything gets dumped!

I figured either an ornament of some description or indeed something in a pot! I decided against the ornament as I don't think it would look right but have no idea what would be best suited to be there in a pot!

I am thinking some sort of tall and narrow plant/shrub/conifer! Ideally something relatively maintenance free as I certainly wouldn't say I have green fingers. Perhaps the odd easy pruning here and there I can handle!

The gap gets the sun from around midday throughout the rest of the day and is sheltered by the fence from northerly winds.

Any suggestions received with thanks.





EDIT: Forgive the lack of screening at the end of the fence, I ran out but this will be completed

 

hmm how about a mixture of both sculpture and plant? say a climber growing up an Obelisk in a pot?


Mandevilla Starting to Climb the Obelisk by bill barber, on Flickr

 

Thanks Aesculus but perhaps I should have mentioned I'm not really into flowery stuff....my bad

 

I never said it had to be a flower, be boring and grow ivy up it *looks for huffy smiley*

actually it would quite nice with Ivy, very stately :WINK1:

 

Don't really want a climber as we've got one running up the other side of the house....which I have incidentally just had to save our guttering from :yess:

Oh, dear, I feel like I'm turning down every suggestion now....I'll get my coat now!

Right, let's clarify a bit;

I'm after something in a pot, has to be tall, evergreen, not a climber, can sit in the sun for the best part of the day oh, and isn't a conifer....unless of course I've left nothing else to consider!

What about an ornamental tree of some description if there is such a thing. Obviously it's gotta be one that doesn't grow into a Giant Redwood as I'd never reach the top to prune it

Hit me again!

EDIT: What about some Bamboo in a container to complement the screening and general style we are going for?

 

I was going to suggest bamboo!

 

I understand they are a bit aggressive if planted in the ground but assume that this is not a concern if they are in a container which is raised off the ground also....is this true do you know?

I think perhaps Bamboo is the way forward then.

However, does bamboo just grow and grow or is it stunted in a container?

 

Thanks Armandii

 

Black bamboo would make a nice contrast with the light colored screen. It is also recommended for growing in containers.

 

Bamboo is a good choice, but I would look at something different as bamboo in a pot always seems to have loads of ytellow leaves that fall off and make mess

perhaps a Tetrapanax papyrifer (T-Rex) in a large pot .... but the nook is too narrow, so as it grows, you would need to move the pot further away from the steps and closer to the bench ... The T-rex has huge leaves, and if properly placed, a few will be visible from inside the house which will act as a sort of focal point (if that makes sense) .... downside is that in winter, it may defoliate if the winter is very cold, but they recover well in spring





if you want something similar that is evergreen, a fatsia is a good choice but has smaller leaves ... hardy as nails, and will grow to approx 2m in a large pot .... they prefer semishade, but do well in sun if you water frequently and give an occasional high nitrogen value fertilizer in spring/summer



both these plants can be bought for less than a tenner

 

Bay?
Not one of those hideous lollipop shaped ones which adorn some gardens, just a normal bay plant lightly pruned once or twice a year into a reasonably upright shape.
Evergreen, doesn't mind plenty of sun, and as an added bonus great for flavouring stews!