What to plant along the back fence of a north facing garden?

[Sausagegirl]

I recently moved into a house with a north facing garden. During the summer every part of the garden gets the sun at some point in the day but in the winter, a lot of it is in shade for most of the day
The soil is very alkaline.
The entire back border is completely devoid of any plants whatsoever. The people at the back of us have recently cut down all their trees and bushes that were giving us both a bit of screening so it's very stark out there.

What can I plant that will flourish in those light and soil conditions, grow reasonably quickly but not go mad? We would not want anything prickly and it would be nice to have some evergreens - but not conifers. We like things that flower and are fragrant and very hard to kill. Green-fingered we are not!

Thankyou!

[Whoever]

If you like a fragrant early flowering everygreen shrub, you could try Daphne Odora (or something spelt similarly ) which has pink flowers in January & February and the most wonderful perfume which the bees love.. I have this growing in a north facing border which gets no sun and it still thrives. If you Google it you'll probably be able to find a picture of it. It grows about 3 feet high. Some of the decorative ivies will help disguise a bare fence. Most garden centres have a good selection.

[westella]

not asking for a lot are you,it will take me time to give you a planting program,try and respond over the weekend

[Sausagegirl]

Westella I hope I'm not asking for a lot. Just a couple of names of plants would be good. I don't necessarily need a planting plan. Please don't go to any trouble!

[ceejay123]

Hi sausage If you want a low growing perennial evergreen herbaceous plant which spreads rapidly and is a brill ground cover low maintenance plant, buy a few Pachysandra terminalis.
Ive just had to dig a load up and live near Lancaster You can have them.
Google "shade loving plants!!
Chris