Need to screen off a public area but want to avoid fencing.

Question From: 
Marc in  Wisemans Ferry,  Sydney NSW

 

Nature of problem: 
Need to screen off a public area but want to avoid fencing.

 

Type of Plant (if known): 
Would prefer bottlebrush that will grow in shaidy area, 2m high or more into a dense hedge

 

Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself): 
n/a

 

Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type: 
Sandy soil (River bank)

 

How often do you water the plant:
Can water weekly at best (weekender)

 

How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
Some afternoon sun in summer 3-4 hours, less in winter

 

What type of plant is it:
Yet to be established 🙂

 

How long since you planted it:
n/a

 

Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
n/a

 

Is the plant indoors or outdoors: 
n/a

 

What other treatments have you given the plant: 
n/a

Upload photo if available: 

Other Comments: 
Thank you for taking the time to look into my question. I already have a Murraya hedge at the front so would possibly like a different plant.
Love bottlebrush but it is a shady area, under a large white cedar and a large jacaranda on one side and several unknown bushes on the other side…need something that grows reasonably quick (don’t we all) that flowers and is evergreen and can be made into a hedge of sort. I say of sort because it does not need to be an urban wall. I can let it go wide, does not matter too much as long as it closes up and provides privacy. I also thought of bougainvillea but my wife is superstitious and does not want it 🙁
Your suggestions are very much appreciated.
PS
I don’t know if you remember my previous question about a plant that would do well in mud in a tidal river. Well I never found an answer and the person you suggested did have a string of plants but all needed still water of a pond not tidal water rising 1.5 meter twice a day, so I went to explore some local swamps and found something that looks a lot like this http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typha_latifolia and they are going wild. I was surprised since it is a plant for fresh water and we have 6 to 10g/litre of salt in the river. The brown seed cluster is very decorative, certainly more than the ugly half dead reeds I had before and as a side benefit, once dry, cut and placed in a bottle and lit up work as a giant mosquito coil.
Hooroo
Marc

 

Answer: Hi Marc,  Superb info in this email – and a great local answer to a local problem. Well done. I don’t know of any bottlebrush that does well in the shade. Sasanqua camellias do well in the shade, they flower well and the grow into lovely hedging plants. Native birds, like honeyeaters eat the pollen/nectar and King parrots eat their petals. Ask for a fast-growing variety of sasanqua at your local plant shop.   Don