Outdoor privacy trees
The Best Trees for Privacy in Your Yard
Looking for trees that provide privacy from the wrong kind of neighborhood watch?
Planting a natural privacy fence is a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to a hardscaped privacy fence, and that’s not the only positive, according to Alex Kantor of Perfect Plants Nursery:
“The benefits of using trees for privacy are endless. They have low-maintenance qualities, help seclude you from nosy neighbors, provide lush green landscape year-round (especially if they are evergreen), shield your property from wind and noise, create shade and offer beautiful scenery to view.”
Alex Kantor | Perfect Plants
There are a lot of options and factors to keep in mind when planning to build a tree fence. “While traditional fences can be installed almost anywhere, a ‘green fence’ needs sunlight and water to thrive,” says Missy Henriksen of the National Association of Landscape Professionals.
Find the right trees to block your neighbors with this full breakdown of the most popular privacy tree options.
Top 10 Trees for a Natural Privacy Fence
1. Eastern Redcedar
For a large, rugged privacy tree that provides full coverage, the Eastern Redcedar is the conifer for you. “Evergreen plants like broadleafs or conifers are generally a good choice for year-round effectiveness,” according to Henriksen, making this durable juniper a great tree fence option. Its red, aromatic wood and thick foliage will give your backyard an earthy fragrance and attract local birds and other wildlife.
What You Need to Know
- Height Range: 40-60 feet
- Width Range: 10-20 feet
- Sunlight Guidelines: Full to partial (4 to 8 hours of direct sun per day)
- Planting Guidelines: Eastern Redcedars can reach 60 feet high and 20 feet wide at maturity, so they’re best suited for larger backyards.
If you have the space, make sure to plant these about 20 feet apart and away from power lines or neighboring homes. - Preferred Climate: 3-9 outdoor growing zone, hardy down to -30℉. This fast-growing privacy tree is one of the hardiest and most tolerant options available, thriving in cold, hot, dry and wet areas across the country.
- Garden Styles Suited For: Natural or rustic
2. Hybrid Willow Tree
The Hybrid Willow has a growth rate of 6 to 10 feet per year, and this disease-resistant plant typically reaches its mature height in just five years. They were bred to quickly form a thick wall that blocks out neighbors and noise. These privacy trees grow well even in cold environments, and their dense foliage makes them great windbreak trees. They’re also great for drying out swampy soil.
What You Need to Know
- Height Range: 35-45 feet in rows, 75 feet alone
- Width Range: 20 feet
- Sunlight Guidelines: Full to partial (3 to 6+ hours of direct sun per day)
- Planting Guidelines: Hybrid Willows require a lot of water but can withstand periods of drought with the right maintenance.
These plants do best in mid-sized to large yards. If spaced incorrectly, they can reach a towering 75 feet in height, so to create a manageable Hybrid Willow tree fence, be sure to plant them about 5 feet apart. - Preferred Climate: 4-9 outdoor growing zone, hardy down to -20℉. Considered to be the fastest-growing privacy tree, it’s tolerant of a variety of growing conditions and can fill common trouble spots in the yard.
- Garden Styles Suited For: Traditional, contemporary or Zen
3. Leyland Cypress
One of the most popular trees for privacy, the Leyland Cypress is a beautiful, fast-growing evergreen that is great for solid, full coverage in large backyards. They have been known to reach heights of 50 feet in just 15 years. When planted in a row, they create an impenetrable mass of branches that make them great trees for screening wind, snow and even noise.
What You Need to Know
- Height Range: 40-60 feet in rows, 70 feet alone
- Width Range: 15-20 feet in rows, 30 feet alone
- Sunlight Guidelines: Full (6+ hours of direct sun per day)
- Planting Guidelines: The Leyland Cypress can handle droughts, pests and even air pollution, and their high tolerance to salt makes them good privacy trees in coastal areas.
- Preferred Climate: 6-10 outdoor growing zone, hardy down to 0℉. These are one of the fastest-growing evergreen trees and great for defining property lines as a natural privacy fence, but due to their shallow root system, these trees are not well-adapted to hot summers and are susceptible to root rot. They do best in large, well-drained yards with mild to moderate temperature highs.
- Garden Styles Suited For: Mediterranean or traditional
4. Spartan Juniper
If your yard can’t accommodate some of the larger privacy fence trees, the Spartan Juniper is a great option for mid-sized backyards. Planted in a row, Spartan Junipers provide a stately, uniform look to any backyard, and their compact foliage makes them effective windbreak trees.
What You Need to Know
- Height Range: 15 feet
- Width Range: 3-5 feet
- Sunlight Guidelines: Full (6+ hours of direct sun per day)
- Planting Guidelines: Spartan Junipers prefer dryer soil and lots of sunlight.
To prevent root rot and other ailments, make sure not to overwater them and plant them about 5 feet apart. These trees don’t do well with heavy pruning, so be sure to plant them in spaces they will fit naturally at their full size. - Preferred Climate: 5-9 outdoor growing zone, hardy down to -10℉. These are water-efficient trees which can be watered by natural rainfall after the first year of planting, though if there is a drought you should water them 1 inch per week. The Spartan Juniper can handle hot or cold temperatures and keeps its dark green color all year.
- Garden Styles Suited For: Contemporary, Mediterranean or Zen
5. Sky Pencil Holly
Looking for trees that provide privacy while taking up very little space? The Sky Pencil Holly is the right plant for you. With a mature height between 8 to 10 feet tall and a width of just 2 feet, Sky Pencil Hollies act as the ultimate space-saving privacy fence trees while still providing solid protection from wind, noise and wandering eyes.
What You Need to Know
- Height Range: 8-10 feet
- Width Range: 2 feet
- Sunlight Guidelines: Full to partial (3 to 6+ hours of direct sun per day)
- Planting Guidelines: Sky Pencil Hollies are able to thrive both in the ground and in decorative containers. Unlike their thorny cousin, the Holly Bush, their foliage is soft to the touch, making them the perfect trees for privacy on patios, urban decks and small backyards.
- Preferred Climate: 5-9 outdoor growing zone, hardy down to -10℉. These privacy trees prefer light, moist soils but are adaptable to different climates. Like many evergreens, these plants can develop root rot if overwatered, so be sure to give them a well-drained environment.
- Garden Styles Suited For: Contemporary or Zen
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6. Green Giant Thuja (Arborvitae)
The Green Giant Thuja is widely considered one of the best trees for privacy, making it a fan favorite in many backyards. “Thujas are one of our most popular trees,” says Kantor. “They are extremely fast-growing, provide privacy quickly and are also cold hardy. They can survive in a multitude of climates and are not affected by many pests or diseases.”
Their uniform, cone-like shape and consistent annual growth rate of 3 to 5 feet make for a polished tree privacy fence that requires very little pruning to maintain. You can trim the tops regularly for a classic, French Renaissance feel or leave them alone for a more natural look.
What You Need to Know
- Height Range: 30-40 feet
- Width Range: 5-8 feet in rows
- Sunlight Guidelines: Full to partial (3 to 6+ hours of direct sun per day)
- Planting Guidelines: If you like the height and density of the Leyland Cypress but don’t have the conditions to maintain it, the Green Giant is a great alternative.
Just be sure to have a defense against deer on hand, as their soft leaves and branches are irresistible to these native grazers. - Preferred Climate: 5-9 outdoor growing zone, hardy down to -10℉. These durable, fast-growing trees are tolerant to heat and humidity, as well as drought and different types of soil. However, the planting site must have proper drainage.
- Garden Styles Suited For: Contemporary, traditional or rustic
7. Emerald Green Thuja (Arborvitae)
With a mature height of just 12 to 14 feet, the Emerald Green Thuja offers the classic beauty of its giant cousin at half the size. Their controlled growth rate of just 6 to 9 inches per year makes them a great choice for landscaping areas that are limited on space.
What You Need to Know
- Height Range: 12-14 feet
- Width Range: 3-4 feet in rows
- Sunlight Guidelines: Full to partial (3 to 6+ hours of direct sun per day)
- Planting Guidelines: These beauties are a great choice for mid-sized yards, and their slender shape makes them ideal as foundation plants along the home – just be sure to give them enough room to grow vertically.
When planting these trees for privacy or wind blockage, it’s best to space them about 2 feet apart for optimal coverage. - Preferred Climate: 3-8 outdoor growing zone, hardy down to -30℉. These privacy trees are very adaptable, resistant to snow and ice, drought-tolerant and will thrive in most climates.
- Garden Styles Suited For: Contemporary, Mediterranean, Zen or rustic
8. Flowering Dogwood
Flowering Dogwoods are great privacy trees for those looking for seasonal coverage with a pop of color. Dogwoods come in a variety of colors including white, pink and red, and their ornamental berries will make your backyard popular with local robins, cardinals and blue jays.
What You Need to Know
- Height Range: 15-25 feet
- Width Range: 15-25 feet
- Sunlight Guidelines: Full to partial (3 to 6+ hours of direct sun per day)
- Planting Guidelines: Dogwoods do best in large to mid-sized backyards.
Their beautiful, compact blooms are great for vertically extending an existing privacy fence when planted 20 feet apart. They can also be strategically placed for spot coverage – for instance, blocking your neighbor’s favorite view of your lawn chairs. - Preferred Climate: 5-8 outdoor growing zone, hardy down to -10℉. These trees prefer well-drained soil that is not too dry and can thrive year-round in both hot and cold climates.
- Garden Styles Suited For: Traditional or rustic
9. Weeping Podocarpus
These fast-growing, woody evergreens are a popular privacy tree choice in places like Florida and California. Weeping Podocarpus trees have plush, billowing foliage and work well as spot privacy trees or in a full natural privacy fence.
What You Need to Know
- Height Range: 35-45 feet
- Width Range: 10-20 feet
- Sunlight Guidelines: Full to partial (3 to 6+ hours of direct sun per day)
- Planting Guidelines: These plants will do best on large properties and should be planted 10 to 15 feet away from homes and other buildings.
When planting in a row, allow about 5 to 10 feet of space between each tree. - Preferred Climate: 9-11 outdoor growing zone, hardy down to 20℉. This tree’s drought tolerance, preference for dry soil and ability to thrive in mildly salty conditions make it an ideal choice for southern and coastal areas.
- Garden Styles Suited For: Tropical, contemporary or rustic
10. Goldspire Ginkgo
For privacy trees that are as beautiful as they are functional, try lining your yard with Goldspire Ginkgo. These unique trees take on a narrow, pyramidal shape with their deep green summertime leaves giving way to stunning golden hues each fall.
What You Need to Know
- Height Range: 14-16 feet
- Width Range: 5-6 feet
- Sunlight Guidelines: Full to partial (3 to 6+ hours of direct sun per day)
- Planting Guidelines: The Goldspire Ginkgo is a durable, smog-resistant tree that will do well in mid-sized backyards.
Just be careful not to confuse it for its cousin, the Ginkgo. Ginkgo trees can reach sizes of 40 to 60 feet, and their berries smell awful. Goldspire Ginkgos are specifically bred for their smaller, slender shapes and lack the pungent fruit of their cousins. - Preferred Climate: 4-9 outdoor growing zone, hardy down to -20℉. This versatile, low-maintenance privacy tree thrives in a wide variety of climates. Natural rainfall should supply its water needs after the first year of planting, though the soil must have proper drainage.
- Garden Styles Suited For: Zen or traditional
What are the Best Privacy Trees for Your Backyard?
“When selecting plants for a fence, it’s important to take into consideration the specific region of the country where you live,” says Henriksen. If you’re ever unsure about a tree’s fit, just ask a nearby landscape expert. They have extensive knowledge of trees that provide privacy and that will also thrive in your local climate.
Take measurements and have a few pictures of your backyard on hand so they have some idea of the space you’re working with. And always remember that good tree fences make good neighbors.
Going for a whole new look outdoors? Check out these articles for more landscaping makeover tips:
- How to Redo a Flower Bed
- 10 Budget-Friendly Backyard Landscaping Ideas
- How to Add Curb Appeal to Your Home
10 Best Trees for Privacy
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Create a green fence with these fast-growing, low-maintenance varieties.
By Amanda Garrity
KatarzynaBialasiewiczGetty Images
Even if you have the loveliest neighbors on the block, it's still important to create a sense of privacy in your backyard. While you can always rely on wooden or metal fencing to get the job done, planting tall, fast-growing trees are a much prettier way to fence off your space. When planted close to one another, evergreen, cypress, flowering trees and other varieties create a lush green fence — a living wall, if you will — to separate your property from your neighbor's.
When selecting trees for privacy, figure out which USDA Hardiness zone you live in (find yours here) to ensure that the one you select can survive local winters.
Then take into account the size of your space — small backyards may require a tall and narrow option like a Italian Cypress, bigger plots of land call for trees with a wider reach like a Weeping Willow. Keep in mind that all of the trees on this list grow fairly quickly, some even growing three feet each year until they reach their mature size. Because of this, you'll want to make sure that you prune the trees regularly and space them out to prevent overcrowding.
Now, here are some of the best trees for privacy, along with their growing requirements and care instructions.
1
Leyland Cypress Tree
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A few seasons after planting, this blueish-green tree will create a full green fence. When fully grown and unpruned, this pyramidal evergreen can reach 70 feet in height. Although they are fairly tolerant and low-maintenance, they grow best in zones 6-10 with partial to full sunlight and well-draining soil.
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2
Italian Cypress Tree
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Known for its long and skinny silhouette, this popular Cypress can squeeze into tight spaces while still giving your backyard plenty of height. Even though they don't grow wide, most trees grow up to three feet in any given year, reaching anywhere from 35 to 40 feet in 10 years. They grow best in zones 7-11, so they can handle drought conditions and thrive in full to partial sun (at least four to eight hours of sunlight daily).
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3
Flowering Dogwood Tree
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White flowers may only make an appearance for a month or two, but the trees offer a gorgeous backdrop all year long. Ideal for zones 5-8, these low-maintenance beauties also boast glossy green leaves in the summer and crimson berries in the fall.
Try to plant Dogwoods in the spring months when soil is moist, so that it has plenty of time to grow. FYI, it thrives as long as it has partial shade and weekly watering.
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4
Thuja Green Giant
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Grow a lush dark green privacy screen with ease. Once established, Thuja Green Giant grows three to five feet each year with only four hours of direct sunlight daily and regular watering during the first six months. It's resistant to most insects and disease, and grows best in zones 5-9.
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5
Weeping Willow Tree
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The arching branches on a Weeping Willow tree add drama and elegance to any backyard, large or small. When regularly pruned in their younger years and planted in zones 6-8, Weeping Willows can grow to be 50 feet tall.
Plant them in full sun to partial shade and make sure they are watered weekly during the first year of planting, then as needed in the tree's later years.
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6
Emerald Green Arborvitae
Fast Growing Trees
If your yard is on the smaller side in zones 2-8, make a privacy screen with these glossy greens. They work best in compact spaces since they grow up, not out, reaching a max of 15 feet tall. Just be sure to plant the trees at least three feet apart and in full sun or partial shade. Start by watering it twice weekly before scaling back to 1" of water each week at around the three-month mark.
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7
Cherry Blossom Tree
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Cover your backyard with a blanket of pink and white petals. This flowering tree is best suited in zones 5-9, reaching a height and spread up to 20 feet.
It needs at least six hours of direct sunlight daily and well-draining soil to grow and bloom.
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8
Nellie Stevens Holly
Fast Growing Trees
Technically, it's a shrub, but the Nellie Stevens Holly towers high, reaching 25 feet when it's fully grown. Unlike some of the other privacy trees on this list, this tolerant shrub stays green all year long, even in the heat of the summer. If you live in zones 6-9, plant each Nellie Stevens Holly at least five or six feet apart to create a living wall, ultimately reaching 15 to 25 feet in height. You can keep their natural pyramidal shape (shown here) or prune them into a tall box hedge.
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9
Thundercloud Plum Tree
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Don't be fooled by the name: This plum tree doesn't always bear fruit, but has leaves in a similar purple hue.
The mid-size variety reaches a height and spread of roughly 20 feet when it's fully grown, making it a colorful addition to any backyard space. It grows best in zones 5-9 with full sun and regular watering during its first year in the ground.
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10
Yew
Marianne Windisch / EyeEmGetty Images
Another tall shrub makes the cut: This evergreen perennial is tolerant to handle most conditions, making it a great fit for zones 2 - 10. With full sun to shade and well-draining soil, some of the varieties can grow up to 20 feet tall and produce small red berries (similar to holly berries).
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Amanda Garrity Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion.
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What trees to plant along the fence from the side of the street
greenery. From the article you will learn what to plant along the fence, which plants should be planted from the inside, and which from the outside, and a lot of other useful information.
In order to beautifully decorate places near the fence with flowers and trees, you should know some important subtleties about the placement of different species.
Important! The number of plants, the density of their planting should be related to the size of the site and not overload it.
Why plantings along fences are needed - advantages and disadvantages
In general, plants along fences are planted for the following reasons:
- Plants ennoble the space along the fence. To make it look empty and lifeless.
- If the fence is not deaf, through it you can see everything that happens on the site. Densely planted green spaces prevent this.
- Plants trap dust and dirt from the street side. This is especially true if the fence overlooks the road.
- Green spaces allow you to hide the defects of both the fence and the site.
- Some plants, especially those with thorns, increase the barrier function. It is much more difficult to approach him, but if the thief still tries to crawl through and finds himself in a thorny bush planted along the fence, his desire to commit further illegal actions will sharply decrease.
Cons of green spaces along the fence:
- Plants near the fence have to be constantly looked after. Moreover, they are in plain sight, any defect is immediately noticeable.
- Plantations occupy a certain area. This is especially true if the suburban area is small.
In order for the appearance of the dacha to always please the eye, it is necessary to ennoble the area next to the fence.
What types of fences need plantings
We list the main ones:
- Chain-link nets. When you look at them from the side, you can’t see the fence at all, only poles are standing and that’s it. Trees along this type of fence, bushes near it visually act as a visible wall of the fence. Ornamental beans, hops, wild grapes, actinidia are suitable.
It is recommended to plant climbing species near the fence, which will braid the net and subsequently become like a green “wall”.
- Forged. They look nice, but again, they don't protect from prying eyes.
Dense planting of trees and shrubs solves this problem. This fence goes well with conifers.
For the design of the site, it is better to choose unpretentious frost-resistant types of crops.
- Wooden. Even the classic picket fence made of boards looks elegant thanks to the plants. Planting along such fences of apple trees, cherries, plums, pears is acceptable. What else can be planted near a wooden fence? For example, lilac, barberry, elderberry.
It is not recommended to decorate the fence with plants that require certain conditions for active growth.
- Corrugated board. Not only does the aesthetic appearance of such fences leave much to be desired, but they also glow in the sun. A good green disguise is a must. The best choice would be rose hips, raspberries, creepers.
Do not plant close to the corrugated board, as it quickly heats up under the influence of the sun.
- Brick and concrete. Plants add to the overall perception of such barriers a feeling of softness and warmth.
Any slender trees will not look bad.
Shrubs and actively blooming tall flowers will look good.
Important! Keep in mind that the roots of plants grow gradually, they can cling to each other and harm the base of the fence. Therefore, trees and shrubs with a powerful root system should be planted at a distance of at least 3 meters from the fence. This is especially true for concrete and brick barriers.
Perennials for places near fences
Recall that plants that live more than two years are called perennials. Much depends on the climate and the region of the country where the fence is located. Crimea and Sochi are one thing, the middle lane and to the north are another.
Usually shrubs are used for this purpose, which do not need regular pruning.
Mostly wild grapes, hops and ivy are planted. The latter retains its color even in winter, prefers moist soils and feels good in partial shade. Very beautiful climbing roses. However, in care they are quite capricious, they cannot stand drafts, they require fertile soils, timely watering and care.
To reduce the number of prying eyes on your manor, you need to build a green wall.
Many people are interested in what to plant from perennials along the fence in the dacha on the shady side of the garden. Suitable hosta, lily of the valley, meadowsweet and ferns.
They are unpretentious in care, able to close the area near a private house from prying eyes.
Plants for planting from the side of the street
As a rule, the main goal of the owners in this case is to block what is happening on the site from prying eyes as much as possible. At the same time, plants should be more or less beautiful and not too whimsical to care for. You can plant trees such as low-growing pine, spruce, birch, mountain ash, ordinary or small-leaved elm. If you want a lush crown, then plant chestnuts and acacia.
Make room for tree planting at a distance of 3 m from the fence so that they grow normally.
Among the bushes along the fence, lilacs are most often planted.
Plants will need to be trimmed from time to time. Otherwise, a lot of time to care for them is not required. If the tree is used as a support, then choose rocks with even trunks.
Plants for planting on the inside
Apple, cherry and peach trees are often planted near the fence, often mountain ash and birch. Don't neglect conifers. Of the shrubs, lilac, barberry, hydrangea can be recommended. From fruit bushes, in addition to barberry, red currant, raspberry and viburnum are suitable.
Bushes can, after landing in a flower garden near the fence, grow tall by autumn, they can close the site from prying eyes.
Important! If your goal is to create a certain pattern from plants, avoid species that grow quickly. In a couple of years or even earlier, they can ruin everything or you have to spend a lot of time on care.
When choosing plantings to decorate the space along the fence in the country house, it is important to evaluate and skillfully use the positive aspects.
Photo of a beautiful landscape design of fences
Mixborders are very popular. This is when several plants bloom at the same time. If you do everything right, you can achieve a unique combination of colors.
Do not unnecessarily overload the site with high and large plantings, this can visually reduce the interior space.
Ivy retains its color even in winter, and looks quite unique against a stone wall or a metal fence, besides, this plant feels great in the shade.
Plant shade-tolerant plants that do not need a lot of direct sunlight behind a high solid fence.
A flower mix will look chic in front of a low fence.
If the plot is sunny, then you can plant lilacs on it. In spring and summer it will bloom, in autumn and winter it is better to cover lilac bushes.
Roses planted near the fence - a classic. Given the variety of species and colors, these flowers can be adapted to any landscape design along the fence.
If you plan regular and thorough maintenance, you can choose ornamental plantings that require more attention.
Do not neglect coniferous trees, they will delight you not only in summer. On New Year's holidays they are often dressed up.
With a lack of free time, opt for undemanding specimens.
Important! Be sure to take into account the shaded and exposed to sunlight areas of the garden. Light-loving plants with a lack of sun will wither very quickly.
Conclusion
Now you know what trees to plant along the fence, bushes and flowers suitable for this purpose, and what can be planted between the country house and the fence, but this is not enough. When creating compositions from living plants, you must always consider how they will look in a year, two, three. Don't forget the last one.
It is better to give preference to high types of different colors for such a flower bed, as they look more harmonious.
VIDEO: What to plant along the fence in a private house.
50 options for planting along the fence in a private house:
What to plant along the fence
If you have an ugly bare fence, then a little greenery will always change the whole look.
But what to plant on it? They really ask me what kind of plants I have (a couple of photos below). And I'm pretty simple gardening, but I've had a few houses over the years and I have a few favorites that I know will survive and look good!
Check them out below…
Chinese climber Jasmine Star . The second photo is my fence. This took about 18 months. It is fully covered and is in bloom now. They attached pieces of a wire fence (on a roll) and passed a vine through it. This is a good 5 meters long fence, along which we planted 5 jasmine plants. The color is dark green, this is one of my favorite plants because it grows fast! They need to be in good soil (if you have clay you need to dig deep and use clay soil) and water frequently.
Magnolias I don't have them, but I always admire them! I am in love with their thick leaves. They are evergreen and this is important if you are trying to hide a fence.
Do not choose deciduous trees, because for half a year they will be bare!
Bamboo Screen . Very fast growing, tall and domineering.
Pines . Pencil pines (as pictured above) are good if you want a neat and tidy border. They are thin and don't grow outward. I've always liked the look of pine trees, but they get HUGE and some really take up the width. BUT if you hedge them often they will stay where you want them to be. We once planted a whole yard in an old house with "green leytons" to keep them in order, but we have since sold and I often pass by and see that the new owners have allowed them to grow very large (about 10 meters in height! ).
Lilly Pilli . This is my pool upstairs with syzygium australe lilly pilly. They love lots of water! The pool really threw them off but my husband took great care of them and they came to life and now they have covered my entire fence. You need to trim them frequently so they connect and grow in the middle to make them thicker.
Don't let them just run wild as they will always be uneven (they seem to grow at different rates). This hedge of mine gets a lot of morning sun.
Pittosporum . They will grow very fast. Not as thick and dark green as other hedges. Because they grow so fast, be prepared to accidentally lose one! This has happened to us before. You can create a beautiful hedge and then hit it and one is gone. They are cheap, which is very attractive. Also, don't drown these guys. So while they need good water, make sure they aren't planted along a fence line that neighbors will run off of or downhill because too much water (unbeknownst to you) will drown them.
Escallonia hedge . I love it Thick, dense and gorgeous green background. They are in my driveway. Trim them often to keep them thick or they will develop holes. They will bloom (I like the white variety - you can also pink). You can also buy mini versions for smaller beds. They are very hardy, but after 10 years they become a little shabby.
Feed them plenty, give them plenty of water, and keep them trimmed.
Happy gardening! ♥ KC.
,
Can trees reduce noise pollution?
Have you ever experienced noise pollution? Whether you live near the street or in a densely built-up area, you may have annoying noise that you would like to correct for the human ear. Below is a list of trees that are best at blocking sound and an explanation of how trees reduce noise pollution.
Plants are the perfect antidote to noise pollution and sound absorption, and of course they have many other benefits. These include increasing the value of your home, reducing air pollution, and beautifying your landscape. To enhance the noise reduction effect of trees, you need to choose those that have thick dense foliage and that can be planted close together. You need a noise-reducing fence planted next to the site all year round.
Top selling privacy trees
Why do sound barrier trees planted along roads reduce noise?
The University of Tennessee Agricultural Knowledge Service suggests that planting two or three rows of sound absorbing plants can effectively reduce noise by more than seven decibels! According to SF Gate, “The ideal noise barrier hedge should be tall and dense enough that you can’t easily see through or beyond it.
undergrowth of tangled bushes and ground cover. Read more about landscaping around trees.
You can further enhance your noise barrier by first placing a mound of earth a few feet high and then planting it on top and around it.”
Wondering which plants work best as noise suppressors? Here are some of our top picks.
Noise Reducing Plants:
Holly Oakleaf adds a great textured look to any landscape.
Oakleaf Holly:
Looking for a stunning high hedge to help block out noise sources? Oakleaf Holly is an elegant holly hybrid with a tall pyramidal shape. Its foliage is unique and charmingly shaped like an oak tree, and unlike many other hollies, Oakleaf picks red berries without the use of a pollinator. As the tree reaches maturity, the lower branches lose their vertical swelling, giving the mature tree a pyramidal shape.
Your Dwarf Burford Holly hedge will take several years to grow to 8 feet tall. Place them accordingly.
Dwarf Buford Holly:
This beautiful shrub has attractive and dense vegetation, making it a lush addition to your yard without requiring much maintenance. The dense foliage will help soundproof when planted as a hedge and also add sophistication to any landscape. Bonus: Birds love to come in winter to eat Buford's red dwarf berries! More plants with red berries.
The pink flowers of the Indian hawthorn attract birds, bees and butterflies to your landscape.
Indian hawthorn:
The glossy dark green foliage of the Indian hawthorn creates a lovely low hedge with low noise levels. As beautiful as it is useful, this unique shrub is well known for its beautiful ornamental flowers, glossy evergreen foliage, and naturally rounded shape. Clusters of fragrant pink-white flowers periodically grow from spring to summer, followed by dark, bluish-black berries that persist through the winter.
Noise reducing trees:
Leyland is the densest evergreen tree that makes a living fence.
Leyland Cypress:
Leyland Cypress, one of the most popular sound deadening trees, will make a dense and dense vision barrier to absorb sound or wind reduction when planted as a hedge. A very fast growing tree, the Leyland cypress grows 2 to 3 feet per year, reaching 40 to 60 feet at full maturity when planted in full sun. Its vibrant emerald green foliage stays bright year-round and remains soft to the touch. It grows very densely, naturally retaining its slender conical shape. Tree strip is the best noise reduction with cypress trees.
Cryptomeria is an excellent choice for landscapers in the US as it can grow in USDA zones 5-9.
Cryptomeria Radicans:
The Radicans habit is tall and slender and offers year-round beauty as a privacy screen that helps reduce ambient noise. It grows quickly, reaching 12-16 feet in height within 5 years of planting. Eventually, this fast growing grower can reach 40 feet tall and 20 feet wide at full maturity.
This beautiful growing evergreen tree has exceptionally dense, dark green and feathery foliage, thus contrasting well with its evergreen blue leafed trees. Large leaves give it the appearance of a Christmas tree.
Planting trees for privacy in your outdoor living space is an attractive and versatile way to reduce noise and traffic noise. We prefer them to wood fences because of their home appeal. Noise reduction landscaping is an economical and best way to improve your peace of mind and the environment! Another great tip is to add a water element with a circulation pump to create white noise.
Want to chat more about finding the right trees to block sound waves for your landscape? Contact us or leave a message in the comments, we will be happy to help!
What trees have you planted to reduce noise?
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BBC - Gardening - Gardening Guides - Techniques
About trellis trees
The term trellis refers to the way fruit trees are trained to grow against a wall.
This makes pruning the tree and harvesting the fruit easier. This decorative method has often been used in traditional walled gardens and is ideal for growing fruit in small gardens.
The advantage is that you can also buy a ready-made trained tree. Perfect for a small garden, the trellis tree has branches arranged horizontally on either side of the trunk to make a compact yet productive tree. Many varieties can be purchased as bare-rooted trees in winter (usually from specialist nurseries).
You can also buy potted trellis trees from garden centers that are available all year round. They are ideal for growing in confined spaces. Trees usually have two tiers of branches and quickly form three or four tiers.
What to do
Make your support
- Choose a sunny wall or fence and install a frame of horizontal wires that matches the distance between the arms of the trellises - usually 35-45 cm (13-17 inches) apart.
- Most finished trees have two tiers of branches, but now it's easier to fix three or four supports than when the tree is growing.
If you have a fence, drill holes between two posts and secure the wires with eyebolts. Apply vine eyes and weighting compound to the walls.
Planting Tips
- Dig a planting hole 15 cm (6 inches) away from a fence or wall, wide enough to allow the roots to spread out and deep enough so that the soil mark on the stem is flush with the soil. Pass the fork over the bottom of the hole.
- Soak the plant thoroughly and let it drain.
- Place the tree in the center of the hole and check the level by placing a cane across the gap - add or remove soil as needed.
- Fill the hole with soil, carefully strengthening it until you reach the top.
- Firm the soil with a heel, water and mulch with well-rotted manure.
- Tie the side branches with twine in several places to the support cables along the fence.
- When planting a container tree, dig a hole twice the size of the pot and deep enough so that the root ball is flush with the soil surface.
Watch video
Learn how to grow single tear trees with Alan Titchmarsh.
After Sales Service
- Water your trees well for the first couple of years, especially during periods of drought.
- When planting in autumn, let the center shoot grow upwards in spring and summer. Next winter, cut off the third wire, leaving three healthy buds to form a third layer of branches. Repeat to make four tiers.
- Prunes growing from horizontal branches between July and September leave three or four leaves, and shoots growing from the main stem are shortened to three leaves.
- Tie new shoots regularly to the ends of each branch to keep them from growing upwards.
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A cozy corner in the country house and in the garden: photos and ideas for hedges, beautiful fences from bushes and trees in the country house
Turning a plot into a secret garden, safely hidden from strangers, is not so difficult.
Of course, you can hide behind a high fence, especially since there are many ways to make it interesting and unusual.
But I propose to create a more romantic image of the secret garden, as if descended from the pages of romantic novels or fairy tales. Places, as if frozen in time - and suddenly discovered; carrying a touch of antiquity and traditions - and at the same time promising new discoveries. This image is most consistent with fences made of "wild" raw stone and hedges.
Dear Garden Associates, Inc.
Outside Landscape Group
A country house hedge is a very flexible and multifunctional way to give the garden a closeness. Thanks to the varying shape and frequency of clipping—and the varied range of hedge plants—a structure can look very different throughout its length. It can be strict or free, linear or curly, its height and degree of transparency can vary.
There are several ways to create a green hedge. They differ from each other not only in appearance and image, but also in the amount of maintenance effort and, of course, in the size of the space required to accommodate them. Choose the one that best suits your abilities, or combine several at once - this will make the image more interesting.
SEE ALSO…
6 Fences You Wouldn’t Have Thought Installed
Amy Martin Landscape Design
Curtains
feral. The image that many aspire to is “design without design”.
Spreading masses of shrubs were a popular technique among the creators of landscape, "English" parks. They made it possible to mask the boundaries of the site and distract from the size of the garden. This technique was especially actively used in urban gardens, which were very limited in area. This time-tested trick is still useful today.
SEE ALSO
Paradise: The Golden Rules for Planting Shrubs in Your Garden
Princeton Design Collaborative still requires.
Although not to the same extent as topiary curly forms. Thickening and rejuvenating pruning will benefit the curtains. It is worth doing it every 2-3 years. Then the shrub will not be exposed from below and will remain dense with a lush, impenetrable crown. In addition, green curtains take up quite a lot of space in width. Therefore, when planting such a hedge, provide space in advance for its growth.
Trimmed fence
A clipped fence will allow you to use less space for the fence. With the help of a haircut, you will create a solid opaque green wall from the bushes. However, its height and shape may be different.
In general, a sheared hedge looks more strict and whimsical, but it also requires more attention. But, if you take the time and effort, you can create unusual curved or geometric lines and sculptural shapes that will decorate your garden.
Hoi Ning Wong
Idea: Hedges that combine plants with different foliage colors look decorative.
They can be alternated, forming stripes, or placed in front of a solid high green fence, a low sheared border with a different leaf color. A high sheared hedge will be an excellent background for standard trees and bushes, as well as for sculpture and all kinds of decor.
Laara Copley-Smith Garden & Landscape Design
Vertical gardening
The currently popular method of decorating hedges with plants provides really wide and varied possibilities for landscaping. You can combine decor with usefulness and plant garden plants and herbs in tiered boxes. Or use mosses, ground cover plants and annuals to create bright and colorful living pictures.
Trellising trees and shrubs
An even narrower hedge is obtained by shaping trees and shrubs on a trellis. This growing method produces the thinnest of hedges. Transparency will depend on the chosen pattern and formation density. In any case, a trellis fence will be more permeable than other forms of fence, especially in winter.
Therefore, you can supplement it with a fence, against which its ornamental pattern will look especially advantageous.
Dear Garden Associates, Inc.
Julie Moir Messervy Design Studio (JMMDS)
Trellised Creepers
But the fastest way to create a hedge is definitely vines. They will not be leaders in protection from prying eyes, so if you have such a fence around the perimeter of the garden, it is also good to complement it with a fence. But a wall of fast-growing vines will perfectly serve as a screen for zoning the site and will not require much hassle. In a couple of years, your garden will be decorated with lush masses of greenery.
SEE ALSO…
Living Screen: Plants That Provide Privacy
Dennis Mayer - Photographer
Mix and match just one kind of green.
In a closed enclosed garden, a combination of strict, well-balanced lines looks good - a sheared hedge or a trellis: they create an image of security and reliability, give the impression of free lush masses of vegetation - they will give the atmosphere a relaxed atmosphere.
Think about the layout
Planning the site is a very important step in creating a romantic indoor garden.
And immediately good news for the owners of small plots! It is easier to create an atmosphere of solitude and contemplation in a small space - it seems to have been invented to embody the image of behind-the-scenes closeness. But in this case, do not try to fit everything here at once. In the garden for a serene rest - not a place for fuss. Therefore, if you have a large family and diverse needs, pay attention to thoughtful zoning.
Andrew Renn
Divide a large garden and a garden with a variety of functional tasks into separate closed zones - then there will be a place for all family members and the opportunity to create corners that are completely different in mood.
Tip: Try to keep as far away from each other or as possible isolate areas that involve activity and noisy activity from places of rest and relaxation. For zoning, use all the features of your site: existing and, in particular, planned buildings, terrain, screens and hedges.
Hoi Ning Wong
Consider the house and buildings when zoning
Sometimes - especially on a small plot - it seems that the house takes up too much space. However, any building on the site is an excellent means of zoning, especially when a clear separation of zones is necessary. Buildings make it possible to isolate functionally unrelated sites by placing them in different parts of the site. Moreover, they provide not only visual separation, but also create a barrier to noise and fuss. So, if you can't make your entire garden the focus of silence, set aside one of the zones for privacy, securely protected by a house or other buildings.
SEE ALSO
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Katherine Shenaman Interiors
Use the Garden as a Shelter
Old trees (ideally evergreen) with spreading branches and soft, relaxed shade under them will help separate the secluded recreation area from the noisy part of the site. Especially if you complement it with shrubs, which will act as additional visual and acoustic protection.
Divide the plot with screens
If it is not possible to arrange a buffer zone that separates a secluded corner, place a cozy relaxation area with your back to the passable and bustling areas of the site and close it with a screen.
Screens are an excellent zoning element that works both in the interior and in the landscape. They do not take up much space and do not look overly heavy, but allow you to visually separate the zones. Garden screens can be both stationary and traditionally mobile.
Use hedges, decorative fences and lattices to divide the garden space in the form of small fragments.
The Garden Builders
Troy Rhone Garden Design
Use gates for walkways
If you're designing a small, enclosed area, use the decorative possibilities of walkways, gates, and skylights. Let them immediately set the mood at the entrance to the zone, attract with mystery, invite you to look inside. Decorate the passage with vines - climbing roses, princes and clematis twining the gate look very romantic. Or arrange a passage to a secluded area with a pergola.
SEE ALSO…
Just to reiterate: How to design a gate with leftover PVC pipes
Create intrigue
Let some accent touch, interesting and intriguing, be seen through the passages or the gate. Whether it will be a brightly flowering flower bed, or a shrub with unusually colored foliage, a sculpture or a fountain - it should create a contrast with the space located outside, should promise a new intriguing image, promise a new relaxing atmosphere.
B. Gordon Builders, Inc.
Sutton Suzuki Architects
Set up some privacy
Cozy backstage spaces will complement the privacy of your garden's secret corner—or replace it if there's still no room for a dedicated, secluded area.
- Pergola can also act as a hidden area. Place soft sofas under it - and a relaxing seating area, closed from the fuss and prying eyes, is ready.
SEE ALSO
This is not a gazebo: Pergola in your garden
Groundswell Design Group Inc.
Alexey Kozyr Architectural Studio
- Pavilions also traditionally help to create a cozy local recreation area. And if you add vines, plant lush shrubs around and place in the back of the site - the gazebo will become a place of solitude that does not take up too much space.
Textiles will also be very useful for giving privacy - both as a decor and addition to the gazebo, and as a replacement for it.
- A gazebo doesn't have to be traditional - treehouse can be an unusual retreat. Who didn't dream of this as a child?
SEE ALSO...
Garden corner: Pergola or patio, terrace or armchair?
katie moss landscape design
- Creeper-covered swing or bench – a gazebo in miniature. Place them as a decoration and a relaxing element in a dedicated, enclosed corner of your garden, or entrust them with the role of a secluded hiding place.
Advice: When placing a pergola, pergola or swing, complement the general closeness with open areas. Let the cozy gazebo overlook the wide plane of the lawn or pond. Such a contrast will create serenity and give rest to the eyes.
Fill your garden with details
Turn your nook into a garden box, closed from the outside, but filled with interesting details and experiences.
Use decorative lighting to create different lighting scenarios and whimsical lighting patterns, such as illuminating shrubs, trees and flower beds. Or decorate them with garlands for a touch of magic.
vgzarquitectura y diseño sc
Lenkin Design Inc: Landscape and Garden Design
Place an object for contemplation in the secret garden - be it a sculpture, a fountain, a plant arrangement or a rock garden. The main thing is that any of them will help you get distracted, switch your thoughts, provide rest for your eyes and create the right mood.
SEE ALSO...
Cherry Blossom: Hanami, or the Art of Cherry Blossom Viewing
Add nuanced details, little surprises, unexpected objects found in thickets and flower beds.
