Plant recommendation

[Rangertdci]

I have a south facing spot in the garden that I would like to add some colour to. It gets sun for the majority of peak sun hours. Something to grow to fence height and ideally 1/2m wide. Would a rhododendron work? I've heard they don't like full sun? Ideal if it was quickish growing to fill the gap. Not a lot to ask for! Thanks

[OutInTheShed]

Evergreen or not?

Free standing or climbing?

Roses and fuchsias add colour in summer but die back in Winter.

An evergreen with varigated leaves?

[Rangertdci]

Evergreen and definitely freestanding!

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Rhododendrons prefer dappled shade, and ideally need acidic soil. Since we don’t know what your soil is like, we can’t recommend anything that has a particular preference in that regard.

We need more information about what you want the plant to do. Will it grow up a fence, or be free-standing? Do you want it evergreen or are you happy for it to drop its leaves in winter? Do you want flowers, or will the leaves be the main interest? Do you have any colours in mind to complement or contrast with nearby plants?

I’m assuming you want something easy and unfussy regarding growing conditions, reasonably fast growing but not overwhelming, low maintenance and/or tolerant of being cut back.

Whereabouts are you? That will also affect the choice in terms of hardiness.

Also, when you say “1/2m wide”, do you mean “half a metre” or “one to two metres”?

More information needed!

[Rangertdci]

Thanks Mike for your detailed response. I'm in the midlands and the soil is clay. I added a lot of manure to the garden last year if that matters. The spot where the new plant is going previously had a bamboo which I removed so the soil is quite sandy although I added 2 bags of manure over the winter and it's nice black soil now. I need the plant to cover a gap in the fence. If it holds its leaves over the winter then bonus but most importantly it needs bright striking flowers of any colour. Ideally pink or red but not overly fussed. Thanks .

[Lotobear]

Ceanothus would be ideal - most are evergreen, not too fussy and produce stunning, vivid blue flowers

[Sticks.]

Maybe a Photinia, which seems to like the clay here. There's always some colour, though can get quite big.

https://www.urbanjungle.uk.com/product/photinia-x-...

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Rangertdci said:

Evergreen and definitely freestanding!

Two things spring to mind.

Photinia “Red Robin” is fast growing, unfussy, evergreen, nice glossy leaves that are bright red when they first grow, tolerates any pruning at any time, even very hard pruning (and every time you prune, it’ll quickly give you another burst of new red leaves). It’ll grow huge if you let it, but you can simply hack it back to keep it to the size you want. When larger it’ll produce clusters of white flowers in spring. Dead easy to grow and available from any garden centre. You don’t need to spend £££ on a big one because they grow quickly.

Another possibility is Ceanothus, “Californian Lilac”. Smaller leaves, slower growing. Small clusters of tiny bluish violet flowers in April or May depending on variety. Bees love it. Tolerates pruning fairly well provided you don’t cut it right back into brown wood.

Er… a third possibility is Pyracantha if you don’t mind something spiky. Masses of white flowers in May, followed later in the year by bright berries (red, orange or yellow depending on variety). Bees go mental for the flowers, and birds love the berries (especially red ones). Keeps its leaves year-round and can be pruned hard if you need to. Can be either free-standing or trained against a fence.

[dhutch]

Dr Mike Oxgreen said:

“Red Robin” is fast growing, unfussy, evergreen, nice glossy leaves that are bright red when they first grow.,,, its an ok fast hedge plant, but I wouldnt consider it a specimen shrub.

Fortunately we have enough mature tree we really dont have much 'full' sun, and stick sweet peas or the like in where we do.

Lilac is nice.

What about one of these?
https://www.jparkers.co.uk/bougainvillea-lilac-000...

[8-P]

Lotobear said:

Ceanothus would be ideal - most are evergreen, not too fussy and produce stunning, vivid blue flowers

Agree on this one. I have 3 of them, great show of colour just finished.

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Going back to the OP’s original idea of rhododendron… I think most of those are a bit too big.

But, if you dig out a nice big hole and mix in a couple of bags of ericaceous compost before planting, what about a camellia? You’ll need to pick one that’s happy in the sun, but I believe they do exist.

Nice glossy evergreen leaves, lovely flowers in spring. Tolerates pruning well, especially if you prune after flowering (don’t prune later in the year, or you’ll be removing next spring’s flower buds). Moderately vigorous without being overwhelming.

To keep it happy you just need to maintain the acidity, which isn’t as hard as it sounds. Water it regularly with a watering can of rainwater, acidified with a decent slug of the cheapest supermarket own-brand vinegar. To make it even happier, add a tablespoon of Epsom salt, and use an iron supplement (you can get stuff specifically for acid-loving plants). Easy really.