Five great screening plants

Ligustrum japonicum

This Japanese privet is an easy-to-grow, semi-evergreen with dark green leaves and white flowers in autumn. It’s happy in all soils, apart from those prone to waterlogging. Maintain shape by pruning in winter. Best for Stilted screening.

Elaeagnus ebbingei

Tough and deals with salt-laden coastal winds with ease. This evergreen shrub has large, metallic grey-green leaves that shimmer in the sun. In autumn, tiny white flowers release a heady perfume. Keep plants tidy by cu ing off wayward shoots in late summer. Best for Informal hedges, formal hedges, stilted screening.

Fargesia robusta ‘Campbell’

A well behaved, clump-forming bamboo with upright, thick, olive green canes a ractively banded with white culm sheaths. Capable of reaching 4m (13ft) in height, it’s perfect in full sun or shade. Keep it well watered if planted in dry soil. Best for Informal screening.

Photinia ‘Red Robin’

This evergreen shrub is popular for its glossy, red, young shoots that will turn heads in spring and early summer before maturing to green. Happy in full sun or semi-shade, it responds well to clipping. Feed plants with a balanced fertiliser in early summer to encourage healthy growth. Best for Informal hedges, formal hedges, stilted screening.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’

Chinese silver grass is a statuesque beauty forming rounded mounds of arching foliage topped by 2.1m (6¾ft) tall stems of feathery white flowers in late summer and early autumn. Tidy up plants in late winter or early spring, by cu ing old stems down to 15cm (in) from the ground.

Seasonal informal screening. Best for