Hi, I have a public footpath that runs alongside my driveway. All that protects us from nosey neighbours and marauding dogs is a thin, wooded strip. It's actually quite beautiful with beech, birch, hawthorn and others, planted at the floor with aconite, cyclamen, and so on.

The problem is that the mid layer is open and can easily be penetrated by anyone intent on mischief, as well as prying eyes! What can I plant that will quickly fill out this area? It is along the south side of my property but heavily shaded and rather dry! What a combination!!

I have planted ivies up mesh with some success but I was thinking of something sturdier and ned-proof! Would holly fit the bill?

Hope someone can help,

thanks for your time,
Rebecca,x.

Hi Rebecca,
I am very doubtful about holly, mine didn't like shade (or competition) at all. How wide have you got for the planting strip before it encroaches on the footpath?
I have a similar problem but there is already a 2ft wall and no room to plant on my side.

Hi Rebecca,
I believe that holly is extremely slow growing. I planted some cuttings many years ago and they are hardly spreading their wings in a dramatic fashion.
Just thought you should know.
Cheers
Les

Thanks for your quick replies - I guess the holly's a no then!!

The planting strip is approx 3 foot wide on my property, but approx 6 or 7 feet from the path itself, so there is room for canopy expansion without impeding access along the path.

The trees are very mature and not terribly evenly planted, adding to the natural woodland effect that I rather like. It's for that reason that I can't / won't put up a fence, preferring a more natural option. There are also many large granite boulders that are placed along the property boundary which restrict any formal planting / boundary arrangement.

Any ideas what might work instead of holly? The only other thing I can think of is stringing up lots of mesh and growing evergreen climbers. Will that work?

Thanks, Rebecca,x.

Rebecca,

i think you should persist with the ivy as it is one of the few plants that tollerate such conditions... You could try interplanting some rosa regossa...

Angela

Hi again Rebecca
Hawthorn would work, but it will look lanky in the first few years. It can be kept cut to whatever height you want and will produce lateral branches of up to 4ft eventually, leaving a gap of about 12 inches at ground level. I have interplanted mine with wild field rose -a self-perpetuating barbed wire, but dog rose (pink) would be prettier, and both need a bit of sun to flower.

Blackthorn is similar but tends to sucker freely, so is more useful for creating a thicket in an awkward corner.

Best wishes and let us know what you decide, I'm still looking for ideas for the front. Trisha

Hi all,

Thanks again for your interest and help! I've been working night shifts, so haven't been able to get out much!!

I shall take a stroll around the neighbourhood today and see what is growing well locally in shady places, then take it from there. I like Angela's idea of the roses very much, so will see what I can find. As for anything else shrubby, I'll let you know Trisha!

Thanks again,
Rebecca,x.

Hi Rebecca,

If you check out the David Austin Roses web site - I am sure I spotted some roses which do well in northern aspects. You could ask if these would also do well in shade - I am sure that if they take the shade of a north wall they would do well in a woodland setting with a little help to get them established.

Angela

Rebecca,
Did I mention (in a previous post somewhere) that I planted Escallonia shrubs at the top of our garden - between the garden and the main raod footpath. The have come on a treat. Trouble is, I have trouble knowing when to prune. If I do it after flowering, I seem to do it too early and if I do it too late, the flowers are not that brilliant the next year. I'll keep trying, though.
They measure 4feet high and are about 4 feet deep - and they are still growing - I think.
Cheers
Les

Hi all,

Thanks so much for your continuing interest, it is very much appreciated! I shall most certainly try David Austin, excellent advice - thanks Angela! I love roses, particularly the ramblers and climbers and hope I can introduce some through my hedge.

Escallonia seems to do quite well locally, but the star of the neighbourhood seems to be Berberis - there's tons of it about!! In fact there's loads of wee seedlings of berberis and pyracantha appearing all over my drive, so I've been transplanting them into the wooded edge and they seem to have taken - fingers crossed!!

The ivy's also seem to be establishing, so with the addition of a couple of rambling roses I think I'll have a beautiful, dog-proof, urchin-proof woody hedge within a couple of seasons!

Thanks all so much for your advice and experience. I am truly obsessed with gardening, always outdoors, rain or shine! I'll try and keep you up to date with my successes and, hopefully - with your wisdom - the not-too-many failures!

love & regards, Rebecca,x.

Just been on the David Austin website - fantastic!! Loads of choice, just got to make my mind up now!!!

Cheers, Rebecca,x.

Hi Rebecca,

It might be worth putting a rose into a tub and then you could move it around the garden - that way it wouldn't get drawn - or too dry etc from not having enough light.

I have visited the David Austin rose gardens - so worth the trip. Link it in with a visit to his daughters nearly cottage style nursery...

Settled on a rose called Jude the Obscure - it is wonderful but it needs a really sheltered spot to do really well otherwise its buds wont open - didn't realise that when I bought it.

Angela