Gardeners' Question Time

Our experts tackle your queries, from troublesome hebes to a defoliated olive, screening suggestions to a poorly prunus

- Pippa Greenwood

Q Could planting bamboos give me more privacy in this shady spot?

Richard Bromley, North Aberdeenshire

A MATT SAYS It would be a shame to hide the dry-stone wall and 'borrowed' landscape, as both add a valuable dimension. Attach fencing of natural materials like low woven oak, willow or hazel panels to posts in front of the wall, or behind if permitted. The height should be enough to screen your garden, but retain as much of the view as possible while leaving the wall exposed. Cover the panels with climbers that are vigorous and suit the rural setting, like Clematis rehderiana, with bell-shaped yellow flowers from midsummer to early autumn, Lonicera periclymenum 'Heaven Scent', bearing pale pink buds and yellow and cream flowers from summer to early autumn, or Lonicera x heckrottii, with deep pink and yellow flowers; all are sweetly scented. Also try roses, like fragrant, lilac 'Veilchenblau'.

A KIRSTY SAYS Camellias might be a better option in this part of your garden, as they would provide you with a dense evergreen screen as well as stunning blooms. These shade-loving shrubs could be allowed to grow to a height that will provide a screen and they can certainly bring life and interest to any dark corner of the garden.

Choose upright, dense-growing ones like Camellia sasanqua or Camellia japonica. Lightly prune after flowering to shape and thicken. Pinching out tips of young shoots will also encourage the shrub to fill out.