West facing fence. What will grow.

West facing fence. What will grow.

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rufusgti

Original Poster:

2,532 posts

194 months

Sunday 5th March 2017
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I've renewed a fence with 6 ft feather edge boards on a 6" gravel board. I personally don't like these 6'6 fences as they're too tall and look quite imposing but the wife wanted it high. Anyway, I feel it needs something to break it up and want to plant some shrubs, climbers, and various things in the border along the fence.
The face of the fence is bang on westerly facing. So it gets morning sun up to around 10am when it dissapers behind the house and then maybe another hour of direct sunlight at mid day before being shaded by the fence for the rest of the day.

I'd like to know what would do well. What would thrive in this light and also do a good job of breaking up the slab of wooden fencing. I have hydrangeas already established for the first two metres so looking to fill in around 6 metres of bed.

Many thanks for any advice.

Ace-T

7,720 posts

257 months

PositronicRay

27,115 posts

185 months

Sunday 5th March 2017
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Laurel grows quickly, evergreen an breaks things up nicely.

brrapp

3,701 posts

164 months

Sunday 5th March 2017
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rufusgti said:
The face of the fence is bang on westerly facing. So it gets morning sun up to around 10am when it dissapers behind the house and then maybe another hour of direct sunlight at mid day before being shaded by the fence for the rest of the day.

Sorry, this doesn't make sense to me. If it's facing due West, it shouldn't see sun till around noon then be in full sun from then till nightfall. Can you clarify or maybe do a quick sketch?

rufusgti

Original Poster:

2,532 posts

194 months

Sunday 5th March 2017
quotequote all
brrapp said:
rufusgti said:
The face of the fence is bang on westerly facing. So it gets morning sun up to around 10am when it dissapers behind the house and then maybe another hour of direct sunlight at mid day before being shaded by the fence for the rest of the day.

Sorry, this doesn't make sense to me. If it's facing due West, it shouldn't see sun till around noon then be in full sun from then till nightfall. Can you clarify or maybe do a quick sketch?
Ahhhhh, how did I get that wrong. Thank you, you,re absolutely right. It faces due east. I'm just useless at this.

Pheo

3,348 posts

204 months

Sunday 5th March 2017
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What type of soil? Most climbers are going to want more sunlight.. what about ivy?

finishing touch

809 posts

169 months

Monday 6th March 2017
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My house faces east and I grow Golden Showers up the front. (Roses)


I've also had Nellie Moser against the wall, but that didn't last.

brrapp

3,701 posts

164 months

Monday 6th March 2017
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It depends on how wide the border is (or could be made) and how much work you want to do. Personally I'd be looking at a traditional wide border if possible with tall plants at the back stepping down to tiny at the front with a variety of flowering times/leaf colour so you've got something of interest all the year round but if you don't have the space/ time and just want some constant interest, I'd be looking at putting in a coloured climber such as russian vine.
The lack of direct sunlight shouldn't have too much effect but will cut down on the amount of flowers/fruits in some plants. Also avoid varigated or silver leaved plants as they are designed for full sunshine, and concentrate on green leafy plants.

Murph7355

37,847 posts

258 months

Monday 6th March 2017
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finishing touch said:
My house faces east and I grow Golden Showers up the front. (Roses)
...
Ah the innocent days of rose naming...