Ok to plant in front of a cherry laurel hedge?

[juslh]

I have inherited a huge laurel hedge (house move) which is tthe boundary between me and neighbour (neighbour seemingly not into fences.) Its boring and dominating to look at so I have cut it right back and have reclaimed a good portion of garden. But will anything grow here, in front of it?? I've heard bad things about laurel! But I'd love to soften the look of it and have some colour later in the year. Ultimately it'll be taken out but haven't the time/money to do that as yet. Thanks for any tips.

[rary]

I don't have a hedge but do have a laural Bush growing in the garden without any problems with things growing close to it, if you want a bit of colour through it you can buy some cheap clematis plants from some of the supermarkets and plant them under it

[veggiechicken]

Is the border in the sun or the shade?

[nickdub]

You could plant a climber like a rose (eg rambling rector) or a clematis (eg armandii) with the roots as far from the hedge as possible, then train the top part over towards the hedge.


the main problem with hedges like laurel, privet or leylandii is that the leach all the plant nutrients out of the nearby soil and also most of the water in dry spells.

[DannyK]

The aspect is important as should it be north facing your neighbour will be the one enjoying the clematis etc!