In need of suggestions

I have a small nook in my yard that I wish to turn into a shady, secret garden -- no problem right? Well, just one...it gets afternoon sun because the only open side to it faces west. I want to plant a sunblocker to filter the afternoon light so that ferns, astilbe, etc. will thrive. Any suggestions? If the rain ever stops I can post a picture...

how about ornamental grass? i have seen some in my neighborhood that are about 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide. not much for flowers but i believe these grasses come in different colors. good luck

Arborvitae? Vines? Are you far enough south for pampas grass? That stuff looks cool.

I'm far enough south for it, but it is such a small space I worry that it may overtake it. I really need to get a pic posted to show ya'll what I mean...

I saw a fence made from live willow slips.

http://www.slimwetwillows.co.uk/willow_kit_double_fence.htm

This isn't the one I saw but it is really similar. It would need lots of trimming to make it behave, but it is a neat idea.

How about a non-aggressive type of bamboo?

It will filter the light and grow rather quickly to form the screen that you want.

Good Gardening!

Aubrey

What about making a trellis fence for something to grow up. It is cheap and easy and if you ever need to take it down you are not out much. You can also make a living fence with fruit trees or maybe rose of sharon (althea). Mikey

Arborvitae are so narrow that they may be a good choice. There are some varieties that don't get super tall. If you have atleast 6 ft. of more there, maybe a grouping of 3 tall, narrow arborvitae would look better than just a single, random one. I'm gonna mark the thread to see a pic later :)

Thanks ya'll for the suggestions! You guys have some great ideas! I'll get that pic up as soon as it gets light out.

One more suggestion, if you are considering grasses I recomend Miccanthus "Metropolitan". I planted some 3 years ago and they are 8-10 ft. high and 4ft. wide, easy to care for, .have fantastic feathery plumes from late summer till you cut them down in the spring and would provide a great sun block . Gil. l

here's the pic

As ya'll can see the space is very small. I was standing on the west side (the open side).

Mow my grass suggestion down. I go with Jerrynmikey, put up a lattice panel(4x8) and plant a nice climbing vine, maybe honeysuckle. It will smell nice,provide both shade and privatcy for you. Gil.

That's a cute little spot. What about that lattice panel with vines and some kind of archway to step through to get to this corner? That would give it a feel of going somewhere special. Promise to post pictures of your progress!

sure, I love posting pics! :D

A thought: If I planted an evergreen, dense shrub like a sky pencil or maybe a shaped boxwood on the right side of the pic and planted plants that could take a bit more sun on the left, would that look okay ya think?