What hedge/trees/planting options for here?

This is one of my Griselinia hedges @Bramble400. I have this one alongside a patio, the roots are quite fibrous and not destructive so shouldn't affect your wall.

 

That hedge looks lovely @Plantminded Think we are now almost certainly going to go with Griselinia along our wall. How far apart are yours planted and when and what size did you plant these? I do make a good chocolate cake so if you're ever in Cornwall! We have 600metre squared of blank canvas garden (and my husband & I have no idea what we're doing! )
Also is there a high risk at the moment of disease in Griselinia, my Dad told me some places have stopped selling them because of disease?

 

I used plants in 2 litre pots which were about 3 feet tall and planted them 1 foot apart. You could buy larger potted plants if you’re impatient but they can often take longer to establish and need more watering. Hedging will establish better in autumn when it’s cooler and wetter.

I’m not aware of any disease problems with Griselinia here. However this may be a localised problem so you should check with a reputable local garden centre or nursery and follow their advice. Checking what your neighbours are growing is always the best way to see what grows well in your location.

Thank you for your kind offer of cake .

To help with any further advice on your garden it would be useful to know your soil type, eg clay, loam or sand. You will get plenty of help here so just ask away .

 

One more question @Plantminded (until tomorrow!) Here this is the view as you come up the lane and approach our house/garden, thinking we'd have the Griselinia along the wall where I've put the red line up until the pillar rather than carry it on down round to the steps, thinking have a more of an open area on the bit that drops down where I've scribbled with yellow rather than closed off with the Griselinia and have some low ish shrubs, maybe a granite house sign in there somewhere, any ideas what would look good here?

 

@Bramble400,

I planted a Prunus cerasifera ' Nigra' (Black Plum Cherry) more than 15 years ago to hide the big detached house opposite. At the moment it is completely obscuring sight of the house but it is deciduous so you have to take that into account. It has pale pink flowers which cover the tree in early spring before the leaves emerge which are a dark red/purple. Eventual size estimates are H 8m - 10m and width ditto but ours is nowhere near that yet. According to the RHS it can be grown in any soil and with any aspect, likes sun, doesn't mind exposure and is H6 area hardy.

I love it.

 

I agree with your thoughts of where to put the hedge and could I suggest a simple, low wrought iron fence (to the height of the pillar at the end of the wall) at the open bit. You could then plant up the area behind with whatever takes your fancy.

 

I would also limit the hedge to the wall area and maybe create a mixed border of flowering shrubs, perennials and bulbs in the adjoining area to add some welcoming colour at your entrance. Perhaps a rose or two with something like Nepetas, Lavender, Osteospermums and Erigeron karvinskianus which are all easy to grow, free flowering and popular with bees. In autumn add some spring flowering bulbs like tulips or daffodils.

 

I do not know of a problem with griselinia apart from its susceptibility to leaf spot in wet conditions (though not as bad as photinia). Perhaps there is a little confusion with box, which is a very popular hedging plant which is well known for box blight and box moth, which is why lots of people are removing it.

 

It was @waterbut that asked about the "chimney thing". I guess they mean the thing sticking up out of the lawn. About halfway along not far from the retaining wall edge.

 

Spot on JennyJB. It might be an air vent for a bomb shelter or a Septic Tank!

 

Ahh yes sorry @JennyJB and @waterbut yes it's a recently installed septic tank that hasn't had the sticking up pipe bit cut off yet!

 

What about some sort of Magnolia in the gap between the pillar and pathway? With lower shrubs below. I like the look of magnolias. Want something fairly substantial in height and width to fill that gap to provide a bit of screening and also be an attractive welcome to the garden

 

@Bramble400, should you be thinking of cutting that septic tank pipe off? I assume it's there for the purpose of venting any noxious gases?

 

Magnolias are lovely but most flower for quite a short period in spring and also loose their leaves in winter, although there are some evergreen varieties which flower later. My neighbour has a pineapple broom tree which is a bit different. It is semi-evergreen, has scented flowers which are attractive to bees and makes an unusual feature:

Cytisus battandieri - Pineapple Broom Tree

 

The pipe will still be there coming up from the septic tank just needs to be cut off at ground level, it was only left that height as was put in pre soil and turf so they didn't want to cut it off until they knew the ground level