How can we hide an unattractive wall?
Q We have an unattractive garden wall that I’m desperate to cover. I think an evergreen shrub or climber, or a mixture of several varieties, would do the job perfectly. Are there any you could suggest?
Martin Headley, Lancashire
A Evergreen shrubs or climbers are an excellent idea as they will provide cover and interest throughout the year.
Luckily, there is a wide range of varieties to choose from, many of them with colourful, variegated leaves.
A few examples include: Euonymus fortunei (this will grow upright close to the wall), pyracantha (will grow upright close to the wall and produce sweet flowers in spring and fiery berries in winter), Cotoneaster conspicuus ‘Decorus’, aucuba (also known as spotted laurel), photinia, ceanothus, brachyglottis, Viburnum tinus, Viburnum davidii, Fatsia japonica and several small conifers.
Many larger garden centres have shrubs that are trained on trellis panels, making them very useful for providing instant and movable screening.
Alternatively, choose from many of the beautifully variegated and compact small-leaved ivies (Hedera helix), such as ‘Eva’, Goldchild’, ‘Golden Ingot’ or ‘Midas’. Plant these close to the wall so that they climb rather than trail.
When you choose your screening plant, check the
