What hedge to plant for a shady area?

[plantsANDpets]

Hi. I have an enclosed verandah/pergola that stretches from the house to about 15cm away from our boundary fence (steel Colourbond), so there isn't a lot of sunlight along the fence line. I would like to put a hedge along the fence. Just something that's green and leafy. I'd like it to grow at least 2 meters tall

Are there any hedges you can suggest? 

[EricL]

Hello @plantsANDpets 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's fabulous to have you join us, and thank you for sharing your question about having hedges for a shady area.

In order to give our members a better idea of the area, would it be possible for you to post a photo of the fence? We'll then able to make recommendations on what would be suitable for the space that you have.

In the meantime, I recommend having a look at this guide - How to choose a hedging plant. There are some very good recommendations listed in the guide. But just to add to the choices there is also Brazilian Red Cloak, Summerscent and Strelitzia. 

Here is a link to our best advice: What plants are suitable for a hedge?

If you need a hand posting the pictures, please let me know.

Eric

[plantsANDpets]

Hi Eric,

Thanks for your reply! See below for a photo of the fence area. It doesn't get a lot of sun, especially closer to the garage door.

[MitchellMc]

Hi @plantsANDpets,

Looking at your photo, it doesn't appear that your intended space lends itself very well to growing a two-metre-tall hedging plant. Given the tiled area, I presume you would be container planting these hedges? Having two-metre-high hedging plants in containers would be a bit of a stretch unless they were large containers, but add to that the 15cm worth of space you have against a metal fence that's likely to get hot makes the space really not conducive to a successful hedge. 

If you were looking for greenery, you could potentially trellis a climber over the fence (if there is enough sunlight), or alternatively, you might like to consider UN-REAL hedging. Check out this immensely popular project on Climbers to dress up Colorbond fence.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[Tyro]

Hi @plantsANDpets 

Thanks for supplying a photo.  It looks like @MitchellMc is right on the money with his advice, as he always is!  If it were me, I would spread some large ornamental pots in line with the posts and fix up some trellis or wire supports between the posts.  That will create a gap between plants and the metal fence and give   you a wider selection of plants to choose from.  Your area looks well lit, which suits many plants that don'trequire full sun. Bunnings stores have an in-house horticulturalist in the Garden section, and I have always found their advice excellent! Have you considered some climbing vines or natives?  

An alternative might be to consider putting up some bamboo or brushwood screens such as 

https://www.bunnings.com.au/eden-1-x-3m-brushwood-screen-fencing_p0056843

Or there is a great range of privacy screens to select from 

https://www.bunnings.com.au/search/products?q=garden+privacy+screens&sort=BoostOrder&page=1

Good luck! 🤗