Tough tall plants for west facing balcony?

Anyone can recommend any tough tall plants to grow on west facing balcony? Am looking for something bushy and can grow really quick in sunny spot as the balcony has no shade and is west facing. Best if can grow tall as want to create some sort of boundary from building aside to look into our living room.

 

Bamboo in pots is pretty hardy and will make a good screen and not take up too much room.

 

Pittosporum? Screenmaster is a pretty tough variety and there isnt much that grows faster

 

I find viburnum really hardy and fast growing. I've planted it along my west side--hot in summer and cold in winter--and it's already as tall as the fence. Mine's in the ground though.

 

Yep - Bamboo - good for pots.

 

I thought of this too but I was thinking it might grow quite fat and take up a lot of balcony space. I suppose some good pruning might help it grow in a shape.

 

Was thinking of bamboo but I read that bamboo might not be suitable to be in pot? Would it grow out of control? Can it stay under the sun?

 

Bamboo is best for pots so that it remains contained. If planted in the garden (not an option for you) there are some varieties that just multiply and run amok so it's always recommended to plant in pots or make sure you have the variety which doesn't multiply like rabbits.

 

Your other option is to build something like this. You could build it quite simply out of some chicken wire or some reo bar.

As it's portable, you shouldn't get in trouble with your Body Corporate.

 

One of my favourites too.

 

Clumping bamboo in pots are quick, cheap and easy to maintain. Take a look at this site


mr bamboo

 

I find anything from the cannaceae family to be quite fast growing and sturdy.

They get pretty high though. Grown together in a joint gives substantial shade. Not much looking after needed, sort of like a weed really. Sweet smelling on fruition, resin like on touch.

 

Can it withstand full sun exposure? As the balcony hasn't had any shade, it's open balcony west facing. Also does it grow quick?

 

Can bamboo block a bit of noise you reckon?

 

If you grow it, harvest it, cut it into thick lengths, stick it together, and put it up in sheets. Kind of like a wall.

 

I didn't realise that the cannae family had a few naughty children. Obviously a keen gardener

 

Oh, they're little rascals, laugh at anything, like hyenas but with green thumbs,

 

Look at that nose, scraping itself up the wall.... It must be off its face.

 

As said, Bamboo is a good option. I opted for Tiger grass in my small contained garden bed which grows quickly, is hardy and provides a good screen. They reach about 3m so you are not going to have a small tree years down the track.
Forgot to mention they are not invasive and classified as "clumping"

 

Hmm, Burke reckons:
"Tiger Grass - This striking plant from Thailand looks like bamboo but it's actually a perennial grass."