What plants to plant in front of fence?

[lozcozard]

Not sure if this is the right website for this question, but its my go to site for all my projects!

I just finished a 10m long, 5ft tall fence.

I would like to plant some plants in front of it as its more pleasing to look at.

I am not into plants, so I have no idea what to choose.

I would like a row of mixed plants which can grow up to approx. 5ft or half way there, ever green, and hopefully flower in the spring/summer at least. They'll be in full sun up to mid-afternoon when sun goes behind house, then will get some evening sun along their tops. My soil is clay like. Its where there used to be leylandii trees (removed now).

Anyone know names of plants I can buy that meet this criteria? I am surprised I cant find any website that shows me a row of plants and names them, and i can say "I'll have all those". Its like I have to spend ages researching all the plants and I haven't got time, I just want someone to give me a list to go buy!

 

[Munroast]

I like fire-thorn, great for birds, lovely blossom i May and bright orange berries autumn and very hardy. But lots of people don't like them, so what to plant is very much a personal choice.

If you have had leylandiis in there, the ground will be sucked dry of nutrients, dig a huge quantity of manure into it, horse manure is best for clayish soil.

 

[lozcozard]

Ok thanks. I found online websites selling "mixed garden shrubs", e.g. 10 or even 50. Maybe its a good idea buying something like that, so leave it up to the seller to choose what ones.

 

[Notch7]

Ok thanks. I found online websites selling "mixed garden shrubs", e.g. 10 or even 50. Maybe its a good idea buying something like that, so leave it up to the seller to choose what ones.

You will end up with fast growing shrubs that end up too big.

Be careful of forsythia, snowberry etc.

Also you want evergreen....mixed garden shrubs won't be.


How deep do you want the plants to grow. Many shrubs will eventually grow 3 metres high and 1.5m deep.


If you want year round interest with a mixture of flowers, different leaf forms, variegated leaves and some seasonal leaf colours, you need to spend a bit of time choosing.

Here is a few suggestions:

Choisia: evergreen, aromatic leaves, white scented blossom, easy grower.

Also available in different leaf form:

If it's a sunny warm spot, how about a rosemary bush?

For a bit of colour and a bit taller, photonia

 

[lozcozard]

Thanks for that. I don't mind them growing too big as I can cut them back. I have other shrubs elseqhere I just give them a haircut once a year

 

[Old Salt]

Shrubs or plants? You can chuck some seeds in, pick those that will grow each year lupins, antirrhinums are good. Get to a garden centre each month and pick what takes your fancy or is in bloom. That way you will have colour each month. The labels will give you height, spread, planting position etc. Anything grown in a pot can basically planted anytime you like.