Follow these tips to use different types of plants as living privacy screens.
Privacy is a top priority for homeowners who have close neighbors, hear loud noises from adjacent spaces, or have poor visibility. Plants make excellent privacy screens because they can block out noise and unsightly views while adding color, texture and seasonal interest that gets better with each growing season. Read on to learn what types of plants are best for privacy and how to use them in your landscaping.
How to use plants responsibly to protect your privacy
Choose compact growth over rapid growth. It’s easy to be tempted by fast-growing trees like poplar or pear for immediate privacy. Fast-growing trees are often cheaper, but they are not a good investment. They do not last long, trees are often weakened, and they are the first to suffer damage during storms. Instead, create a sturdy mulch by choosing plants that grow densely, like the examples listed in the blog.
Choose the right plant for the right place. Never plant invasive species, no matter how easy they grow. Invasive species are species that aggressively displace other species and consequently reduce biodiversity. There are many examples of invasive species being introduced to create privacy screens where they can grow quickly and easily, only to see them continue to spread and suffocate desirable native species. This will vary by region, so work with a landscape designer or check with your local nursery before planting.
Types of plants
Evergreen tree
Evergreens make excellent privacy screens because they provide year-round protection. Evergreen trees with large leaves or evergreen conifers with branches extending to the ground are most useful for privacy.
Planting tips. To create a dense privacy screen, evergreen branches should be spaced so that they touch each other. Or if you have the space to create a large privacy screen, mix in evergreens and evergreen shrubs.
Example species. Green giant arborvitae, Japanese Cedar, Longleaf pine, Southern magnolia, White spruce or blue spruce Evergreen shrub Coniferous evergreen shrubs and broadleaf evergreens provide privacy from sight to the ground. Use shrubs to create a low screen around a patio or other seating area.
Planting tips. Like evergreen trees, evergreen shrubs are planted with branches slightly touching. This will give them room to grow and allow the branches to overlap to some extent over time.
Example species. Inkberry, Sungold sawara cypress, Dahoon holly, Saw palmetto
Hedge plants
Hedges are most easily built from columnar trees or upright shrubs. Plants that create large hedges respond to pruning by increasing density.
Planting tips. To form a continuous hedge, plant plants about half their mature width apart to provide full screening when pruning. For example, English milkweed, which grows up to 10 feet wide at maturity, should be planted 5 feet on center. The center is measured between the bases of the plant’s roots.
Example species. Thuja occidentalis, Carolina laurelcherry, Podocarpus macrophyllus
Sturdy vines
Vigorous vines that extend upward and outward can grow densely to form a living wall.
Planting tips. Choose a support structure for your vines based on how they climb. There are vines that grow by wrapping tendrils around a support, and there are clinging vines that have little feet or suction cups that stick to surfaces. Climbing vines do well on cables and trellises. Clinging vines work well anywhere they can attach to a surface, such as stucco site walls.
Bamboo
Bamboo can be a nuisance plant due to its invasive nature, so choose your bamboo species carefully. There are two types of bamboo: clumping and running. Clumped bamboo produces new growth near its original planting location and becomes denser over time. Running bamboo sends out long rhizomes underground that sprout further from where they were originally planned.
Planting tips. Bamboo is most useful in limited space and containers. If planting in the ground, use a root-blocking liner to prevent widespread spread. For quick privacy, plant bamboo stems or hollow stems closely together, depending on your budget.
Example species.
Warm climates: Several clump hedge bamboos
Cold – hardiness: Running bamboo
Ornamental grasses
Ornamental grasses are best for providing privacy during the summer and fall seasons because most ornamental grasses become fully lush during the warmer months.
Planting tips. Plant ornamental grasses in a prominent location adjacent to yard spaces that are used most often in the summer. Choose species that are at least 3 to 4 feet tall and use them to fill in the gaps.
Example species. Large bluestem, Shenandoah switchgrass, Karl Forester feather reed grass, Pacific Island miscanthus
Weeping tree
Most weeping trees are special varieties bred to have branches that appear to “melt” downward. They are great for privacy as they typically have very dense foliage that spills to the ground.
Planting tips. Weeping trees can be very expensive and are usually planted as single specimens. Plant a type of weeping tree in an area with plenty of room to grow.
Example species. Weeping beech, European larch, Weeping willow
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