Stumped? Fast-growing hedges and climbers for east-facing walls

I'd appreciate advice on choosing a fast-growing hedging plant to ­provide privacy from a neighbour – my concern is that a sewer pipe runs near the garden's boundary and I don't want roots to damage it. I wouldn't worry about the sewer; no hedge plants are notorious drain botherers. A greater concern is that you may one day need access to that pipe, so then your hedge would cop it, but that shouldn't stop you hoping for the best. There are lots of fast-growing hedges, and lots of nice hedges, but not much crossover between the two. I'd go for hornbeam or beech . Both have shallow roots and a good but not too fierce rate of growth. While neither is evergreen, if clipped ­regularly they often cling on to leaves (brown and copper, ­respectively) throughout winter, only shedding them as fresh growth emerges in spring, so you get some seasonal variety, too. I thought they were ­indestructible, but our Russian vine (Fallopia baldschuanica) has died. I won't miss its ­rampant habit, but it did clothe a bay window. I'd like to replace it with something less vigorous, but think our east-facing aspect and clay subsoil may limit our options. I'm impressed you managed to kill this beast – you should rejoice. For east-facing walls, choose between a honeysuckle for scented summer blooms and a shade-tolerant ­clematis such as 'Nelly Moser' for blowsy, pink-striped ones. Both require support, so you'll need a ­trellis or series of wires, and to tie these in regularly. The climbing ­hydrangea, H. petiolaris , (pictured below) clings to walls of its own accord (albeit gently, so it won't damage them) and ­produces big heads of white flowers. ­ Schizophragma ­hydrangeoides is ­similar, but with a more impress­ive flower. The clay subsoil shouldn't pose a problem for any of these, as long as you work in lots of organic matter before you plant. • Got a gardening question for Lia? Email [email protected]