[Viv]

Sorry if this has appeared twice, not sure why the computer played up.
What can you suggest, I have to screen the houses slightly from the road, not too much as I want to still be able to see them in case of fox attack.
What shrubs/bushes would give colour and bush out, what containers would you use or would you plant straight into the ground. What size would be best to get. Also what would be good in the way of flowers on their for the summer.
I know its a tall order.

[poultrygeist]

Buddleiea (sp.?) is a nice instant quick grower. Don't know if they'll eat it or not but it certainly looks nice.
Or something like ribes which I think has the best colour flowers of any shrub.

Were you after evergreen ?

There's laurel which is very thick so not so good to see through.

Rob

[Vember]

Californian Lilac is nice thats evergreen, nice blu flowers may/june.
http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/shrubs/classid.728/

There is a smaller variety too

[richyrich7]

Flowering currant gets big and bushy quick tho some people are allergic to it no good for hayfever sufferers plant straight in the ground and you can take cuttings to propagate in the autumn, dead easy  

[Pullet]

Mexican Orange Blossom (Choisya ternata) - pale evergreen plant which has orange smelling flowers from April - October. Grows like mad in the sun.

[agapanthus]

Flowering currant gets big and bushy quick tho some people are allergic to it no good for hayfever sufferers plant straight in the ground and you can take cuttings to propagate in the autumn, dead easy  

....yeah but it smells like cat pee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[agapanthus]

Californian Lilac is nice thats evergreen, nice blu flowers may/june.
http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/shrubs/classid.728/

There is a smaller variety too

Now that is a lovely shrub!!

[richyrich7]

Flowering currant gets big and bushy quick tho some people are allergic to it no good for hayfever sufferers plant straight in the ground and you can take cuttings to propagate in the autumn, dead easy  

....yeah but it smells like cat pee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does it !! I can't get near the stuff with out streaming eyes and nose, now choisya " mexican orange blossom" that really does stink like tom cat   :!:

[poultrygeist]

Flowering currant gets big and bushy quick tho some people are allergic to it no good for hayfever sufferers plant straight in the ground and you can take cuttings to propagate in the autumn, dead easy  

....yeah but it smells like cat pee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does it !! I can't get near the stuff with out streaming eyes and nose, now choisya " mexican orange blossom" that really does stink like tom cat   :!:

I think we've got one of those ! It might be for an early grave.
Honeysuckle is always nice for smell and insects.

[richyrich7]

Flowering currant gets big and bushy quick tho some people are allergic to it no good for hayfever sufferers plant straight in the ground and you can take cuttings to propagate in the autumn, dead easy  

....yeah but it smells like cat pee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does it !! I can't get near the stuff with out streaming eyes and nose, now choisya " mexican orange blossom" that really does stink like tom cat   :!:

I think we've got one of those ! It might be for an early grave.
Honeysuckle is always nice for smell and insects.

Tell you what, the eggs used to taste funny for days after the hens had been eating it !

[poultrygeist]

Errr. Don't bear thinking about

[Newbie]

I would go with buddleia too, nice fragrance, different colours and the chooks will love the bugs which are attacted to it.  Mine quite often keep their leaves as they are sheltered.  Nice and easy to cut back and thin out and you can just stick cuttings in the ground and they invariably grow.  
You could also but some chicken wire on a couple of posts and grow climbers up it. a couple of different clematis that flower at different times would be nice, or sweet peas....

[Viv]

thanks everyone, off to the garden centre this weekend.
Definately Buddleia, fancy the ribens and what a good idea to have climbers.
Of course pictures will be posted on completion of the planting

[Lost in France]

Wot about a pretty clematis to scramble through whatever large shrub you coose? there is a lovely white one with a beautiful perfume but can't remember the name. We had it growing over a balcony by our bedroom and it was quite intoxicating...alongside a lovely honeysuckle which again smelt delicious!

Judi