advice on tree/shrub choice for shady spot needed ----
By Awsb
United Kingdom 
hi - the very back of our garden borders a railway station, previous owners had 4-5 meters of garden waste and lots of ivy, which provided privacy but was also strangling the trees. We have tidied up and cut the ivy. As a consequence, we now have one gap to the railway platform that needs closing. To do this we need a plant/tree/shrub that fulfils the following criteria: needs to grow ca. 3-4 meters high (there is a wall of about 1.5m so we don't need any foiliage for screening below this hight); needs to be able to grow in a shady spot (there are trees on all sides, only a little bit of sunlight in the early morning and only at a height of 1.5m due to the wall); shouldn't need much water because the spot so sheltered that it gets quite dry in the summer. I thought possibly an elder would be good - any other suggestions?
PS all this is in South Cambridgeshire, the last winter seems to have taken its toll on a few things in what is otherwise a lovely garden with lots of different bulbs, shrubs, roses etc.
20 May, 2011
Answers
thank you I really appreciate the suggestion! am I right to think that this is somewhat poisonous? I will consider it but also have to be mindful of the fact that children will be playing in the garden... but thanks again for your suggestion, let's see what others suggest...
20 May, 2011
I don't want to worry you, but more than 55% of the plants commonly grown in our gardens are poisonous - but only if ingested, so unless your children are in the habit of eating foliage, it shouldn't be a problem.
20 May, 2011
point taken!
20 May, 2011
I'm of the view that children should be rigorously taught not to eat leaves and berries from the garden because they may be poisonous. That said, I wouldn't be allowing nightshade to grow, lol!
20 May, 2011
I'd go further and teach them which ones are poisonous and which not. I had the very sad experience of taking some children through a woodland and was amazed they refused blackberries because all wild plants are poisonous. What a tragedy!
If you need access to the back of the shed how about a climbing hydrangea?
20 May, 2011
Previous question
Looks like a job for Prunus laurocerasus to me!
20 May, 2011