Shade-loving plants as privacy screen for unit complex
Hi!
We live in Brisbane, and I would like to plant something all the way along our western fence, which is in shade most of the day. I am looking for advice for what to plant that will provide some privacy.
The morning shade is fairly light (with some patchy bits of direct sunlight) due to nearby taller trees. It is in heavier shade all of the afternoon. We have a 3 story block of units on our western boundary, and so the sun disappears behind this building.
The soil is well drained, and deeper down has some clay. But the plants will most likely be in a raised bed in fresh soil, as we are going to build a retaining wall.
We have planted Lilly pilly resilience along the back fence and about 3 metres down the western side, but then it starts to get shadey and I have noticed these few trees are already slower to grow so was contemplating a different variety of plant for the rest of the wall.
Something fast growing would be ideal.
Photo taken was at 12.30pm April 19.
Do you think I should persist will Lilly Pilly? What about Camellias? What about Summerscent? Im not really a big fan of bamboo.
Thanks!!!
Lou
Comments (10)
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Comments (13)We bought the bamboo in 20cm pots. Fargesia "Fortune" I think about $30 a pot . They grew over a metre in the first year (we live in Bright in N.E Victoria - a cool climate). This year we expect a 1 and a half metre growth for those in dappled sun - less in full sun. Some say they grow 90cm wide while others say 2m. If you put down a border you can restrict their width. Ours are also very bushy at the base. "A superb architectural plant. Fargesia bamboo are clump forming and non-invasive, they are regarded as one the hardiest forms of bamboo, they can be grown in containers or planted as a screen. If so a root barrier will help the keep a narrow shape. Very adaptable to most conditions, thrive best in part shade with dappled sunlight but will cope with full sun, although the foliage may curl a little if exposed to this heat for long periods. Fargesia bamboo love plenty of water and organic fertiliser. . Growing to 3-4mt tall and 70-90cm wide." (description from an online nursery) I also agree with Pittosporum. My late father was a very keen gardener and used these as privacy fencing with great effect....See MoreView from my backdoor - need help for privacy and to hide neighbour!
Comments (30)georgi02 "follow some simple guidelines, the ones that people frequently aren't told when buying wall gardens and you end up finding out the hard way" Plant walls are fashionable and seem ideal for small spaces but it would be good if the stores that sell the bits and pieces told people it's not just a trendy decor item, it needs some gardening expertise. mutcherson, is there any space between that deck and the fence? IMO the most successful low-maintenance gardening is the right choice of plant growing in the ground. As soon as you start messing around with unusual plants, unusual containers, unusual locations, you start having additional challenges. But I reckon if you want it's worth having another try with a wall using georgi02 's instructions. Succulents are easy to grow from cuttings and forgiving of lack of water. When you take cuttings of succulents you are supposed to put them aside for a while before potting them and I have found pieces I forgot I cut weeks earlier and managed to grow them. I have had some problems with succulents but that was because of frost so you you won't have that challenge....See MorePrivacy Dilema - Pool, narrow bed, double story next door
Comments (22)People are either not getting the correct advice or not listening to good advice when using consultants. And pool consultants should be included here. The garden beds that are being left between pools, decking etc are far too narrow. Home owners are then looking for the magical plant that only grows .5 metre wide. This is impossible! To get the appropriate height with the required width of .5 metre is just not going to work. Ongoing pruning will be required and people can't be bothered.And please understand, bamboo is NOT the panacea for width problems as so many think. If you want healthy plants, then you need to allow for garden beds to be a MINIMUM of 1.5 metres wide to allow for a plant to grow 3 or more metres tall. 2 metres wide is better, but most won't allow this. If the yard is too small to accommodate a pool or large expanses of decking then my suggestion is to rethink how you manage the site....See MoreWhich plants for balcony privacy?
Comments (10)It’s a great idea, that way you can alternate whenever needed without too much fuss, your balcony looks quite spacious so you can have some beautiful pots out there with the added bonus of looking lush from the inside, love these wall circles too....See More
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6 years agoI’d grow pittosporum, they grow quick, evergreen and don’t really loose their leaves and look nice too. I grew them along a fence for privacy and it sure worked
Nathan Mackay Landscaping