Garden advice - what to plant

[PaulStat]

I'm after some plant advice for the bottom of my garden, currently there is a hedge behind the hedge is a large gap before the neighbours fences, we're going to make use of this by taking the hedge down and shifting backwards. The gap used to be a drainage ditch for what used to be fields behind the house, as a result the ground in the ditch is extremely clay like. I plan to fill the ditch to the same level as the rest of the garden (more or less) using top soil.

It's a pretty large area I need to fill, roughly 40m^2, I don't particularly want to replace the hedge with another but I would quite like a decent mix of large plants at the back to provide privacy and more shrubs/perennials towards the front to make it look good. Being a complete newbie I'm lost.

A top down view of the area

 

[tom_nieto]

Rhododendrons might fit the bill. Beautiful when in bloom and can grow large enough to give you privacy.

 

[Maccapacca]

When I had my garden designed they asked for soil samples so they could spec the plants properly. If you plan to invest a few quid on plants it will be worthwhile finding out what will grow well first then narrow your search to aspect, sunlight, water and needs then go and have a look in the garden centre.

 

[Nightglow]

Rhododendrons might fit the bill. Beautiful when in bloom and can grow large enough to give you privacy.

Beautful yes, but you need to keep them in check.

Laurel is another good hedge, but it needs a lot of constant work trimming it.
Had laurel at my last place, it easily grew 3' feet or so a year.

Portugal Laurel (Prunus Lusitanica) has White, scented flowers appear in June, grows around 10' is a good for hedging, it has fruit ,some laurel fruit are edible in the autumn, a bit rusty on knowledge, years since being in the nursery.
Also bare rooted hedging is considerably cheaper than buying potted plants.

 

[Maccapacca]

Rhododendrons are ericaceous and need a PH of 5ish and a need well drained mulchy soil, clay isn't really suitable.

 

[bitslice]

Triffids.

 

[Ephemera]

Mahonia, Berberis and Buddleja would be fine but it's always best to ask your local nursery.
Some types of Forsythia would work but again it depends on your soil's PH level.