Gardening is, for the most part, a long game that requires patience. There are occasions, however, when you have a newly created bed or a freshly cleared border that is crying out for a relatively quick fix. There are a few plants that offer a shortcut to space filling – here are some of the best of them.
For ground and wall cover
Russian vine is super-hardy and grows in all soil conditions and pretty much any location, from deep shade to full sun. It has small, white flowers and dense, dark green foliage, and it will cover a fence, wall, shed or post incredibly quickly. Like all fast-growing climbers, Russian vines can be invasive, so you’ll need to train them and direct the growth to where you need the coverage by cutting away unwanted runners. It will even twine around your rattan garden furniture if you let it!
For density and height
Cherry Laurel is often used for screening and hedging, and it is a fast-growing evergreen shrub with lovely, shiny leaves, dense foliage and pretty white flowers in spring and summer. Laurels need extraordinarily little care but do respond well to pruning – taking out upper growth will encourage a bushier shape if you’re after more lateral density.
For colour
Hydrangeas come in beautifully diverse colour varieties, from deep pinks to subtle lilacs and vibrant whites. They are super easy to grow, tolerant of shade and will reward you with impressive displays of large, long-lasting flower heads. Deadheading will keep the gorgeous blooms coming, and a bark or mulch covering for the roots will help to keep the plant moist on warm summer days.
Plant these varieties now for reliable, fast results.