Hey everyone! I'm looking for some help with my south-facing garden. Right now, I have these tall cypress trees along my southern boundary, but a tree specialist suggested that felling them might be my best bet since trimming them could kill them. I'm on the lookout for native plant options—ideally ones that are native to the UK or Scotland—that can help with biodiversity, provide some privacy from my neighbors, and soak up excess moisture since the area is a bit boggy. Plus, I'd love low-maintenance options since it's tough to access the area. Any suggestions?
2 Answers
How about trying Salix caprea? It’s a native willow that thrives in wet areas and is great for attracting wildlife.
Before diving in, it’d be good to know how high you want them to be since that’ll influence your choices. Are they going to be in full sun or partially shaded by neighbors' trees?
I’m flexible on height, but I’d prefer something that grows dense. We share our boundary with a business that has stacks of materials back there, but it gets decent sun. It’s hard to gauge the shade from other trees until the cypress are down.

That sounds really nice! I think it could be a beautiful addition to the garden.