Privacy plants for backyard
The 15 Best Plants to Grow for Backyard Privacy
Keep Prying Eyes Out
1/16
You don’t need a fence to maintain your privacy when you can block your nosy nextdoor neighbor from peering into your yard with the help of plants. There’s a great selection of trees, shrubs, and vines that can help turn your property into a secluded retreat—and they can be way cheaper than installing a fence or other privacy structure.
Check out this list of some of our favorite backyard privacy ideas.
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Arborvitae
2/16
There are many reasons why arborvitae is among the most popular plants for a living privacy fence. Its thick evergreen foliage creates a dense hedge when the trees are spaced properly, it tolerates most soil conditions, and it's cold-hardy and low maintenance. There are several varieties with different stature, from dwarf to giant, so consider the plant's mature height and width when choosing arborvitae for your space. Available at The Home Depot.
Related: 11 Age-Old Gardening Tips to Ignore Completely
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Bamboo
3/16
Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world, so it can create a lush and exotic privacy screen very quickly. Some varieties of bamboo are invasive, so consider picking a slow-spreading, clumping variety, or planting it in large raised planters to keep it under control. Available on Amazon.
Related: Don't Make These 8 Mistakes in Your Front Yard
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Skip Laurel
4/16
With annual shaping and pruning, the dense evergreen foliage of skip laurel can make a beautiful 10-foot-tall privacy screen. Planted in a sunny location and in well-drained soil, a laurel hedge will reward you with white blooms in spring. Available at The Home Depot.
Related: 8 No-Care Plants for Killer Curb Appeal in Every Season
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Privet
5/16
Fast-growing privet can get you privacy in a hurry; if given proper care, it can add between 2 and 3 feet to its height each year. When grown as a hedge, privet needs to be pruned regularly, but that hard work pays off when the plant produces a thick cover of sweet-smelling flowers every spring. Available at The Home Depot.
Related: Wage War on Weeds With 7 Unbeatable Tools
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Holly
6/16
There are many varieties of holly that provide excellent privacy in the yard. Available as tall trees or dense shrubs, and in colors that run the gamut from green to variegated, holly offers something to satisfy any landscaping taste. Homeowners with small children (or sensitive hands) may want to consider a soft-leafed variety that's free of the plant's signature sharp, spiny leaves. Available at The Home Depot.
Related: 10 Plants to Grow for a Pest-Proof Yard
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Boxwood
7/16
Boxwood has been long used as a decorative pruned hedge in formal gardens, but it's also beautiful when less strictly maintained. Allowed to grow freely, some varieties can reach 20 feet tall.
Many people think of boxwood as a deep green plant, but there are also beautiful white variegated and gold varieties. Grown as a fence or in containers, it will provide rich scenery and a lush, living wall to protect your yard from prying eyes. Available at The Home Depot.
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Hicks Yew
8/16
Hicks yew, while not flashy, is a sensible choice for a living fence or privacy screen. This low-maintenance option sets a wonderful evergreen backdrop for the rest of a yard, and its soft needles and winter berries make it a fast favorite with backyard wildlife. Available on Amazon.
Related: The Invincible Yard: 12 Ideas for Lazy Landscaping
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Red Twig Dogwood
9/16
Red twig dogwood is deciduous, but it displays a cheerful and seasonal thicket of bright red branches when it loses its leaves in fall. It can tolerate temperature extremes and even soggy soils, and provides habitat for wildlife in all seasons. This fast-growing shrub can reach 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide, creating an impressive display in a yard. Available at The Home Depot.
Related: 8 Top Tools for Taming Your Landscape
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Chocolate Vine
10/16
The hardy chocolate vine, also known as five-leaf akebia, grows vigorously on a trellis or fence and provides a thick screen of green leaves and fragrant purple blooms in early summer. It spreads very quickly, so be sure to rein it in with regular pruning. Available on Amazon.
Related: 10 "Zero Dollar" Garden Hacks
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Euonymus
11/16
Euonymus is a privacy shrub that comes in many sizes and colors, including green, gold, and variegated varieties. This tall and sturdy shrub tolerates all types of weather and even poor soils. Planted close together, euonymus can serve as a lush hedge, but it also makes a big impact when pruned into a tree shape. Available at The Home Depot.
Related: 11 Ideas for Better Backyard Privacy
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Cypress
12/16
These tall, slender beauties are one of the best privacy trees for backyards. And the Leyland variety is the ideal pick for quickly adding privacy to an outdoor space. The trees grow quickly—up to 5 feet every year—so you can expect to block out curious eyes within a few seasons. Remember, though, fast-growing also means higher maintenance, so keep that in mind before deciding on this tree. Available at Lowe’s.
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Lilac
13/16
These pretty fragrant trees can also be planted as hedges. They make lovely privacy plants thanks to their colorful, pleasant-smelling blooms. Lilacs need lots of sun, so opt for another hedge option if you’re situated in a shady spot. They also require yearly pruning. Remove dead and damaged branches to help encourage new growth and healthy flowering. Available on ArborDay.org.
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Butterfly Bush
14/16
The bushy purple flowers on this bush attract pollinators and other beneficial bugs, making it an excellent privacy option for the edible garden. A significant advantage of butterfly bush is that it’s drought-tolerant and blooms from spring to fall. Most varieties aren’t invasive but it’s important to check before buying just any cultivar. Available at The Home Depot.
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Hydrangea
15/16
Hydrangea plants grow up to 8 feet wide and 8 feet tall, making them great hedge plants. Planted in a row, the cone-shaped blooms on these bushes become a garden focal point. One caveat: hydrangeas lose their leaves in the fall, so they don’t provide year-round privacy. However, you can pair them with other hedge plants to maintain some cover during their off-season. Available at The Home Depot.
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Juniper
16/16
Several varieties of juniper make excellent privacy screen plants. Many cultivars grow up to 10 feet tall or more, including California and Sierra junipers. Some varieties are better suited for large properties, while others, like the Spartan variety, can be planted closer together. Their tight-spaced foliage also makes junipers a great option for blocking wind. Available at The Tree Center.
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Backyard Privacy Ideas - 15 Ways to Add Yours
Create a Peaceful Space
1/16
While front yards can be great for gathering with neighbors and catching up on the latest community news, backyards are often a place of refuge, where privacy is treasured. If your backyard is a bit too open for your taste, consider adding features that offer more seclusion and intimacy. Whether you turn to nature for a living border or get out the carpentry tools to create a structure from wood and nails, you have plenty of options for achieving the backyard privacy you and your family desire.
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1. Construct a Classic
2/16
Common in neighborhoods across the country, wood fences are practically an outdoor staple. With a variety of woods to choose from, ranging from light to dark, and just as many style choices, wood fencing does more than boost backyard privacy—it also boosts design. Compared with other fencing materials, wood is also relatively inexpensive and, with proper construction and routine maintenance, long lasting. So long as you have basic woodworking knowledge, a DIY wood privacy fence is well within reach.
RELATED: The Most Affordable Ways to Fence In a Yard
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2. Grow a Living Fence
3/16
Hedges have been a privacy landscaping hallmark for centuries, particularly along property lines. One advantage is that, depending on your choice of plant material, a well-planned hedge can reach virtually any desired height. The downside? It takes either lots of money or lots of time to establish a long, high hedgerow. Plus, hedges need a fair amount of maintenance. But with the right placement, even a hedge of modest proportions can be very effective.
RELATED: 11 Living Fences That Look Better Than Chain Link
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3. Fill in with Bamboo
4/16
A built-in bonus of turning your backyard into an exotic tropical retreat? Natural privacy. That's because bamboo, an essential for any tropical space, grows tall enough to shield your cozy hideaway. Plant it on its own or use it to fill in gaps around pergolas and fences. Take care, though: Bamboo is invasive and should be planted only in beds or in containers with strong barriers.
RELATED: The 15 Best Plants to Grow for Backyard Privacy
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4. Fold Out a Private Enclave
5/16
Wide-open yards are great for a lot of reasons—but they're not ideal for private outdoor spaces. Build an intimate corner into an expansive backyard by bordering a patio with small trees and shrubs. Then, anchor your patio furniture with a simple structure like the one shown here. Unlike a traditional privacy screen, the open frame permits light and wind to pass through, resulting in a space that's both breezy and cozy.
RELATED: 9 Double-Duty Favorites for Tiny Outdoor Spaces
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5. Put Up a Pergola
6/16
For a little privacy without the worry of blocking a stunning backyard view, consider building a pergola. Even though it stands without walls, its wood columns and beams still offer some obstruction for neighbors who might be looking in. A pergola is an exceptional choice for placement atop an elevated deck, as seen in this lofty example.
RELATED: 12 Pergola Plans for Building the Ultimate Outdoor Living Space
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6. Plant Your Pergola
7/16
If you want a pergola with a little something extra—specifically, coziness and shade—fill in the structure's sides and open top with twining plants. The crossbeams and posts make the perfect base for climbing greenery, especially in a sunny site. The overall effect is serene and romantic as well as intensely private. It may take a while for the vines to make it to the top—but it's worth the wait!
RELATED: 10 Climbing Plants That Are Easy to Keep Under Control
Zillow Digs home in Los Angeles, CA
7.
Hang Out with Your Greenery8/16
Here's another take on a living fence: a custom-made vertical garden. Fill it with vegetables and herbs or flowering plants ready to overflow. No matter your choice of greenery, the decision to garden in hanging planters will both screen your yard from outside view and free up space for lounging, grilling, and other outdoor activities.
RELATED: Growing Up—14 Inventive DIY Vertical Gardens
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8. Elevate Your Style
9/16
If you're rethinking your backyard altogether, you may be able to build privacy from the ground up. Cascading landscapes achieve this in a discreet yet picturesque way. Here, a backyard’s multilevel design showcases bushes and trees planted at varying heights, creating a secluded retreat that still feels open and airy in the middle. These terraced setups can also increase backyard decor options by spacing out elements such as hanging baskets and birdbaths on different levels so that all are highlighted without crowding one another.
RELATED: 10 Lush Landscaping Ideas for a Hilly Backyard
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9. Go Modern
10/16
Corrugated metal is one of the more modern-looking fencing options on the market. Its industrial quality seriously shields your backyard from curious onlookers while contributing yet one more texture to the common palette of stone, gravel, and concrete. Found at home improvement stores and purchased in budget-friendly sheets, these metal fences are also extremely durable, ensuring a long-lasting privacy solution for your space.
RELATED: 10 Smart and Easy Ways to Decorate With Corrugated Metal
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10. Try a Trellis
11/16
Whether simple or elaborate, store-bought or custom-built, a backyard trellis provides a direct yet self-effacing solution to the privacy problem. Even as the structure interrupts sight lines, it admits softened breezes and dappled sunlight. Plus, as the ideal support for any number of climbing plants or flowering vines, a trellis can become an attention-grabbing focal point in the design of your outdoor living area.
RELATED: 10 Classic DIY Projects for the Outdoors
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11. Conceal with Curtains
12/16
Just as valuable in your backyard as they are in the bedroom, a few opaque panel curtains will both block your view of neighbors and further establish the sense of an outdoor room. If you're able to mount them, curtain rods are the easiest way to keep your panels in place. Consider hanging curtains along the sides of a porch, pergola, or custom corner unit like this one.
RELATED: 13 Exotic Ideas to Transform a Basic Backyard
Zillow Digs home in Phoenix, AZ
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12. Hog Wire Fencing
13/16
Consider framing welded wire fencing, sometimes known as hog wire or field fence, to create beautiful one-off panels or contiguous fencing. Various panel sizes with various apertures are available so you can build custom privacy that’s perfect for your backyard. You can even buy some field fencing material in rolls. After the panel or fencing is in place, plant quick-growing evergreen vines to scramble up the wire and provide even more privacy.
RELATED: 10 Evergreens to Beautify Your Yard Year-Round
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13. Rock-Solid Gabion Walls
14/16
Wire cages filled with rocks or stones, gabion walls are an attractive blend of modern and ancient— Egyptians used them 7,000 years ago as flood-control devices. DIYers can fashion their own cages using field fencing or can purchase ready-to-use cages. Source rocks from your own property if you’ve plenty, or purchase stones from a local rock yard to complete your project. Either way, you’ll have a substantial, statement-making privacy wall.
RELATED: What is a Gabion Wall?
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14. Ski Fence
15/16
If you live in an area where snow- or waterskiing is a favorite activity, you may want to consider a fence or privacy screen crafted of discarded skis. Simply build a frame as you would for a typical picket fence, but instead of using pickets, attach skis. Not only will you have a new privacy element, but you’ll also make a striking artistic statement while honoring an avocation beloved by your community.
RELATED: 12 Warm and Cozy Ski Chalets for the 21st Century
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15. Love Lock Fence
16/16
Perhaps you already have a chain-link fence that needs a little personality? Consider adorning it with an assortment of padlocks, in emulation of Paris’s famous Pont des Arts, the “Love Lock” bridge. Copied the world over, the bridge had been a magnet for tourists who affixed padlocks to its iron mesh sides and tossed the key into the Seine as a demonstration of undying love. While that bridge is now lock-free—French authorities removed the locks in 2015 and installed plexiglass panels to put an end to the practice—you can use this idea to turn your chain-link barrier into a personality-filled privacy fence. Start with old locks in your garage, find more at junk stores, and invite friends and family to contribute too.
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Don't Miss!
If you have the money to hire a handyman for every household woe, go ahead. But if you want to hang on to your cash and exercise some self-sufficiency, check out these clever products that solve a million and one little problems around the house. Go now!
10 Beautiful Shading Ideas for Your Backyard or Patio
by Alexey | Decor Workshop Furniture Garden | Wednesday, 16 June 2021
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Many of the happiest moments in life happen when we spend time outside. Maybe it's the enjoyment of birdsong on the terrace, reading a book on the patio, or barbecue with friends.
See also: 35 Clear evidence that the pergola is an integral part of the backyard
But since I live in an area where there is often a lot of sun and afternoon showers in the summer, my outdoor meals are either very hot or wet. To solve this problem, I was looking for ways to cover the patio around my summer kitchen and found these gazebo cover ideas - some of them just provide a lot of shade, and some of them will keep the rain from ruining your time.
These sleek designs do more than just keep the sun out. Use them to define outdoor seating areas, or add privacy from nosy neighbors around your pool or deck.
Ready to beat the sweltering summer heat? Check out these backyard shade ideas that will keep you outdoors all summer long.
1. Living canopy
Vines such as vines and climbing roses growing on a simple frame can create a lush and beautiful living shade canopy. The vines can provide shade from late spring to early fall, and when it gets colder and leaves fall, more sunlight comes in on winter days.
See also: 40 The most unpretentious plants for the garden
Which plants to use for sheds?
A large number of climbing plants that can encircle the pergola with their flowering. We have collected 19 of the best plants that can be used both in temperate climates.
See also: 12 Living fences that will be a good alternative to soulless structures
1. Rose; 2. Clematis; 3. Ivy five-leafed; 4. Jasmine; 5. Grapes; 6. Wisteria; 7. Vine; 8. Bignonia; 9. Ivy; 10. Bugenville; 11. Morning glory; 12. Kiwi; 13. Sweet peas; 14. Dicentra; 15. Tropical dicentra; 16. Clitoria; 17. Golden hops; 18. Hydrangea.
2. Simple fabric awnings
One of the easiest DIY patio shading ideas is the Fabric Canopy.
3. Fabric sails
Shade Sails are simple and versatile designs for patios and backyards. There are many shades to choose from. You can also use different shapes like triangles and rectangles. Add garlands to them for magical evenings.
4. Roman gazebo canopy
You can make your own retractable fabric canopy for the gazebo.
Another simple retractable canopy design:
5.
Blanket and bamboo canopyIf you want a temporary shelter, then using a blanket and 4 bamboo stems you can create a shaded area for outdoor recreation.
See also: 30 Attractive Uses of Bamboo in the Garden
And here is a charming version with snow-white tulle and bamboo frame:
6. Sheds made of natural materials
Indigenous peoples made shade structures from local plant materials such as twigs, twigs, bamboo, palm leaves, etc. .
This wicker or bamboo canopy, supported by cables, looks so charming on an old farmhouse in Spain.
Use long and even branches to create a dense roof covering:
See also: 30 Garden projects using branches and snags
Amazing way to shade your gazebo with wooden blinds:
Another beautiful shading idea for a traditional Mediterranean farmhouse patio:
7.
Classic pergola designsThere is a misconception that a pergola does not protect from the sun, but in fact, a canopy like creates a cozy shaded area where you can enjoy a summer day without fear of sunburn.
See also: 35 Clear evidence that the pergola is an integral part of the backyard
8. Hard canopy
Galvanized metal is a popular and inexpensive roofing material that is great for building shadow structures.
9. Polycarbonate awnings
Polycarbonate canopy is a good choice due to its low weight. But it is worth remembering that over time it will lose its attractive appearance due to clogged dirt and a dull surface due to exposure to sunlight.
10. Add light to shaded structures
When evening falls, the garlands on the gazebo make it even more magical place .
See also: 18 Amazing examples of garden lighting
And now you can relax and unwind.
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Top 12 ideas for a shady garden • inTrends
The flower is like a beautiful love that I can't touch, but its fragrance makes the garden a place of delight.
Helen Keller
You have tried all the options for growing plants in your backyard. And no matter what you do, they seem to slowly die until they are a faded shadow of their former glory. This happens for several reasons. One of the most common is the lack of sunlight.
Shady gardening solution. You are buying plants that require more sun than your backyard is capable of. Reconsider your desires and focus on plants that can make do with the little sunlight that comes into your area.
Our shade garden ideas will help you get your plants off to a good start. Think about what type of garden you want to have in your backyard to narrow down your options for landscaping that doesn't rely on sunlight.
Backyard Shady Garden Ideas
A shady backyard is the perfect place to relax with a cold drink on a hot day. It is also a great place to grow plants. You are required to select only the right flowers, shrubs, and other types of ornamental plantings that can grow well with little sunlight in your shady garden. Sit down and observe how much sun each area of your yard receives during the day.
Some areas of the garden are in direct sunlight for a short time and then shaded for the rest of the day. Other areas do not receive the sun at all and are always in the shade. Try planting a geyhera; This plant has a mass of bright colors and enjoys semi-shaded places.
If you find it difficult to grow plants in a shady area, lay down paving stones and turn this place into a recreation area. Work with your yard, ennobling all its corners.
Garden Shade Garden Ideas
Turn your backyard garden into a retreat with a gravel or stone path that wraps around trees and bushes. Find a secluded spot large enough for a small table and chairs. Place taller plants around the perimeter that can create a natural barrier. Then place shade-loving, low garden plants under trees and along paths.
The result is a shady garden with a slightly unkempt appearance. Everything must be in harmony. Choose flowers with a wide variety of bud shapes and leaves in various shades. Separate them and mix them to create a picturesque landscape.
Complete your garden with decorative pieces. It can be small figurines or large figurines. If you have enough space, add a water feature such as a fountain or a small pond. The sound of murmuring water will give the garden a natural sound.
Ideas for a shady garden in front of your house
If you have large trees in front of your house that provide shade, it will be difficult to grow anything under them. Even the grass finds it hard to grow in their shade. The fact is incredibly frustrating, given that your front yard has a direct impact on the overall appeal of your home.
An idea that can make your yard attractive is to choose flowers that grow well in partial shade. Create a landscape design around the base of the trees, filling in the most shaded areas with them. Use the method to your advantage by forming plant beds covering areas where the grass is struggling to grow.
Spread the mulch evenly over the beds to create a moist environment. Then distribute shade-loving plants that like to grow in moist soil. You can have several separate species of the same variety to create grass cover.
Ideas for a Shady Garden Path
To fully enjoy the view of your shade garden, you need a path that will allow you to move around easily. For a rustic-style path, use fine gravel as paving material. Even more effective will be large flat stones laid in the ground.
Use paving stones to create an elegant path. Since you have a shaded yard, use moss as ground cover. It is able to improve the appearance of the path, growing between the stones, like a natural sealant.
Place leafy flowering plants on either side of the path to create a colorful border. If you have problems with drainage, dig a trench and fill it with large pebbles and stones. They will create a natural drainage system that prevents stagnant water. Without direct sunlight, you won't have the evaporation that a sunny location has.
Japanese-style shade garden ideas
If you're struggling to grow plants, no matter what kind, a Japanese rock garden can solve that problem. Place a layer of sand gravel on the ground. Make special patterns on it with a rake, symbolizing water. Place large stones close to the picture so that they symbolize mountains.
Another great option is a Japanese moss garden. Moss loves a humid and shady climate, making it perfect for your home's shady garden. You don't need Japanese maple or variegated foliage. All you need is a mossy raised bed and a few rocks or decorative figurines.
It is not necessary to turn the entire backyard into a Japanese garden. You can keep it small and only shape it where it is difficult for plants to grow. Start by removing all grass and dead plants from the area. Then plant moss in the cleared area. It should begin to take root and grow, forming a soft blanket covering the ground.
Landscape ideas for a shade garden
When planning your shade garden, consider planting time - either early or late spring. Most of the plants you will work with have a growing season that starts in the spring and continues through the summer. Planting in this season endows them with better survival.
Arrange the plants according to their shade tolerance and beauty from your point of view. Create levels for a sense of visual height. Pick plants of different lengths, and place the tallest in the background. Think about future flowers that will bloom on your shady perennials. Group several begonias together for a multi-colored arrangement. Or choose plants with white flowers for a clean and fresh look.
When arranging plants, think about the amount of light they need and where they will get it in your yard. If the plant loves daytime shade, you should not plant it where there is a lot of sunlight. Likewise, a plant that enjoys the midday sun will not be happy in a shady spot.
Shady Moss Garden Ideas
Perhaps most of your backyard gets a lot of sunlight. But one small area still suffers from an abundance of shade. Turn this shady spot into a miniature moss garden. Moss and succulents love moist soil and also thrive in dry shade and don't need much rain.
Add personality to your moss garden by changing the landscape to include high and low points. Then place large stones around. Use moss to cover the ground. If you want to add a bit of visual height, plant ferns, spacing them unevenly across the area, or place a statue in the center.
Ideas for a shaded seating area
The seating area is perfect for enjoying the outdoors. However, depending on which side of your house it is located, it can be very shaded. This is because the recreation area is located next to your home. The building tends to block out most of the light, and makes it difficult to grow plants on the patio.
What you need are shade plant pots to decorate your patio. They won't mind spending little time in the sun. If you want plants that require even less maintenance, choose flowering perennials or ferns. They do not need to be changed from year to year. They will also add brightness and lush greenery to your seating area.
Tropical plants grow well in large pots. Place them around the perimeter of your patio for a sense of opulence and privacy. You and your guests will enjoy the natural privacy created.
Backyard Shady Garden Ideas
A narrow side yard often gets little light. It is usually sandwiched between two houses or a fence blocking sunlight from both sides. Due to limited midday sun, your garden is limited in plants. Look for plants that prefer not to be exposed to direct sunlight and place them near the house. This will allow them to receive a lot of indirect light and at the same time they will be protected from burns.
The easiest way to take care of your shady landscape is to keep your plants in pots. Move the pots around your yard to find the ideal growing conditions for each plant. In late spring, as they grow, transplant them into larger containers. If you are working on creating a beautiful walking path, try decorating its borders with astilba. It grows in many shades of red, pink, white and purple.
Tropical shade garden ideas
When we think of tropical plants, we think of lots of sunshine. How can you grow a tropical garden in a shaded backyard that never gets enough sunlight for heat-loving plants? However, not all of them like the bright sun. Some prefer a slight shadow.
Select smaller, tropical shade plants growing naturally under larger sun-loving species. These plants, like dicentra spectabilis, prefer light shade. They grow closer to the ground and under the leaves of large palms.
Alocasia (Elephant ears) is a classic tropical plant with huge leaves, but at the same time it is shade-loving. Ideal as a natural barrier to fill spaces of great height and width.
Ideas for a shade garden with a pond
Adding a water element to your garden gives it a unique look and feel. If you're short on space, stop by the modest standalone fountain.