Has your neighbor decided to build an ADU with windows facing directly into your backyard? Maybe they’ve added another story to their house or a 2nd floor deck that makes you feel exposed. Or maybe you have a large property and just want to block the view of a junkyard down the road.
No need to build a wall!
There are other ways to solve these issues with plants while enhancing your landscape.
Some of the most common plants to screen unwanted views are tall, narrow, fast-growing, evergreen conifers which look more or less the same. Examples of these are Columnar Norway Spruce, Skyrocket Juniper, Italian Cypress, Incense Cedar, Leyland Cypress, and your common Arborvitae.
These are all perfectly suited to do the job. But if you’re looking for something different, we’ll show you some options that offer more than just screening.
Why Choose Alternatives to Arborvitae?
While it’s very commonly used, Arborvitae can lack the visual variety that you’re looking for. They often create a monotonous look, which is functional, but doesn’t contribute much to the overall design of your garden. If you want to add more texture and/or color into your yard, choosing alternative plants allows for more creativity and style.
Plus, exploring alternatives can help diversify your landscape, reducing the risk of disease or pest infestations that target specific species like Arborvitae.
Creative Landscaping Ideas for Privacy
Privacy doesn’t have to come at the cost of aesthetics. Here are some unique ways to combine functionality with design:
- Layered Planting: Use a combination of tall, medium, and ground-cover plants to create a multi-dimensional privacy barrier. This adds depth and visual appeal while enhancing the effectiveness of the screen.
- Natural Berms: Elevate your landscaping with natural berms or mounds. These raised areas of earth can be planted with a mix of trees, shrubs, and perennials to create both height and privacy. Berms also help with drainage and add texture to a flat yard.
- Mixed Hedges: Combine different evergreen and deciduous plants for year-round coverage and a variety of colors and textures. This approach creates a more natural, less structured look while providing excellent privacy.
Evergreen vine on a trellis
A trellis with vines is an excellent way to create a privacy screen without sacrificing space. Vines like Akebia or Evergreen Clematis are fast growing and provide year-round coverage. Star Jasmine, while it grows slower, looks great all year and has amazing fragrant flowers.
Installing a trellis to your fence adds height, while giving you an extra layer of privacy with a small footprint.
Little Gem Magnolia – Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’
Little Gem Magnolias are a great choice to add a touch of elegance to your garden with beautiful flowers that bloom in the spring. Plant them about 4 feet apart and keep them pruned to act as a tall hedge, or use a single Little Gem Magnolia to block a sight line.
Expect them to grow up to 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Note that although evergreen, Magnolias do drop some brown leaves and seed heads which requires occasional maintenance. It also takes them a few years to fill out and become dense.
Fargesia robusta ‘Campbell’
If you’re after a tropical look without the hassle of running bamboo, Fargesia is your answer.
It’s a clumping bamboo that reaches about 15′ tall and provides a solid privacy screen in a few years. It grows about 6″ per year which makes it very manageable, and it’s perfect for partially shady areas.
Hicks Yew – Taxus x media ‘Hicksii’
Looking for something more traditional? The Hicks Yew is an excellent hedge plant that maxes out around 10 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide.
Its upright growth complements shorter, round shrubs. Just remember that Yews can be toxic, so keep this in mind if you have children or pets.
Weeping Alaskan Cedar – Chamaecyparis noot. ‘Pendula’
For an eye-catching option that adds tons of character to your landscape, the Weeping Alaskan Cedar is hard to beat.
Its weeping branches hang like curtains and give it an almost whimsical look. This conifer will grow to about 15′ tall and 8′ wide in 10 years. It’s perfect for adding a bit of drama and elegance to your privacy screen.
Schipka Cherry Laurel – Prunus laur. ‘Schipkaensis’
There’s no need to worry about this shrub outgrowing its space like most laurels. This dwarf cultivar will provide a dense 10’x10′ screen in 10 years.
Like other laurels, it responds well to hedging and can easily be trimmed to fit any space. Its small, fragrant flowers are an added bonus.
Purpleleaf false holly – Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Purpureus’
Like the Schipka Cherry Laurel, this large shrub can be hedged to provide a dense screen in a short amount of time. What makes this shrub stand out are its changing colors: deep, rich purple in the spring turning to dark green in the summer.
It provides a dark backdrop that heightens the colors of plants next to it. Not only is it drought-tolerant once established, but it also produces fragrant flowers, adding both beauty and function to your privacy screen.
Heavenly Bamboo – Nandina domestica
Heavenly bamboo isn’t bamboo at all, but it provides that fine-textured bamboo look and year-round interest with shiny red berries, white flowers, and reddish leaves in the winter.
Like Yews, the bark and berries can be toxic for pets. There are lots of dwarf cultivars out there, so for screening, be sure to get the original species which will grow up to 8′ tall and 4′ wide.
Deciduous Plant Options
Don’t dismiss deciduous plants for privacy screening! Yes, they lose their leaves in the winter, but that’s no reason to dismiss them. If you only need privacy in the summer when you’re using your outdoor space the most, these plants will do the job and open up unlimited varieties to choose from.
For a great combination of fast, tall growth with bright fall color and attractive bark, try Quaking Aspen. These trees tend to colonize over time, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing when you want to expand your screen naturally.
Also consider that you can visually layer deciduous plants to block views even in the winter. Once you have two or more plants in line with each other, a dense grid is created by the combination of their branches. The more branches, the less space there’ll be to see through.
Dividers
It’s great to use plants for screening but sometimes you need a more immediate solution and don’t have the budget for large plants. If that’s your case, you may want to consider wood or metal dividers.
They can be constructed to fit any size and style, and also open up opportunities to get artistic. They can be relatively inexpensive, give you immediate screening, and require no maintenance, besides the occasional staining in the case of wood.
Maintenance and Care Tips for Privacy Plants
Maintaining a lush and healthy privacy screen requires ongoing care and attention.
- Watering: Newly planted privacy plants need regular deep watering to establish strong root systems. For the first year, water them at least once a week, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. As your plants mature, you can reduce the frequency but aim for deep watering. Consider installing a drip irrigation system to maintain consistent moisture levels without overwatering.
- Pruning: Regular pruning is key to keeping your privacy plants dense and well-shaped. For fast-growing species like bamboo or laurels, you may need to prune twice a year to prevent them from becoming overgrown. Slow-growing plants can be pruned once annually. Always prune after the main growing season to encourage denser growth and a fuller screen. When pruning, be mindful of the plant’s natural shape to avoid creating gaps or bare spots.
- Fertilizing: Most privacy plants benefit from annual fertilization in early spring, right before the growing season begins. Use a slow-release, balanced fertilizer to promote healthy growth throughout the year. Organic compost or mulch can also help enrich the soil while improving moisture retention.
Greater Privacy for Your Yard
Hopefully, the options here inspire you to think creatively when designing your privacy screen. Whether you choose an elegant Magnolia or a whimsical Weeping Alaskan Cedar, each of these plants can transform your yard into a private, beautiful oasis.
With a little thought and planning, you can create a natural barrier that reflects your personal style. Remember to choose privacy plants that match the overall aesthetic of your landscape.
Interested in professional advice for your landscape?
Whether you’re tackling the project yourself or need some expert advice, Blessing Landscapes is here to help. Our team specializes in creating custom solutions tailored to fit both your practical needs and your vision for a beautiful, functional outdoor space. From selecting the right plants to ensuring they thrive in your unique conditions, we’re here for you every step of the way.
Ready to transform your yard into a private retreat? Contact us today and we’ll be happy to help you find the perfect solution for your privacy needs!
