"E. Graeme Smith" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I am looking for suggestions as to which type of plants would suit my
need to create an obscuring screen of vegatation as quick and easy as
possible. Let me explain:

I have a space on the second floor approx. 6' x 30' in between my
apartment
building and the house next door. Because the space is on the second
floor, the height of the house is only about 7'above the space, so it
doesn't block too much light depending on the angle of the sun, but is a
factor to consider. The roof of the house is flat with gravel for
drainage, so
there isn't an issue of the shadow from a peak creeping across the area.

The exposure is southwest and receives a lot of daylight from early
morning
until late in the day. The only things blocking the light is the small
balcony (4' x 8') about midway of the apartment above and the roof
mentioned
earlier.

The screening of greening is needed to reduce exposure from the sun into
my bedroom almost all day. I have put up tinfoil on the window to reduce
and
reflect the light, but this becomes redundant when I open it to get some
air. The window is rather large (4' x 6'), so I get a lot of light.

The solution I have come up with is to put up lattice and choose a plant
or plants to grow on it. The question for me is what type(s) would be
best? I would like to have something that grows quickly, that is low
maintainance, and will grow a fruit or vegetable, if possible. The main
priority is protection from the sun during the summer months.

Because the space is elevated, it is well travelled by squirls and
racoons, so they are also to be considered when choosing plants. I have
blood-and-bone meal and the dirt, I just need suggestions as to the
plants.

As an aside, I figured that if I am to go to all the effort of setting up
the space for the window screening, I might as well extend myself to
putting in some other plants like herbs and spices. Any suggestions for
low-maintainance/high-yield options that will work in my area.

I am going to the garden centre next week sometime to explore the
selections, so any suggestions before then will be helpful.

I live in Ottawa, Ontario and don't know what "zone" I am in.

Thank you for the time spent reading this missive, and for any possible
suggestions or solutions to my situation.

E. Graeme Smith
--
Never argue with idiots, they only drag you down to their level then beat
you with experience

Which nursery are you planning on going to? My first thought would be
clematis, they fare quite well in large pots and you can plant a couple
kinds to carry the blooms along longer. I'm west of Ottawa but really like
Richmond nursery, Carleton Place nursery, Gemmill's near Smith Falls.

On Fathers' day, Kiwi Gardens near Perth has an awesome Art in the Garden
thing, or at least I think they still do. This place is amazing, and deals
only in perrenials. The gardens are really great, you can wander around
each....shade gardens, rock gardens, the whole gammut and see how the
different plants have matured.

Have fun!