Trees provide shade, beauty and peace. Their benefits extend beyond the tree itself, as they also filter harmful pollution, reduce noise and lower stress levels. In addition to all that, trees are a wonderful way to add privacy to your home. We all want our homes to be safe and secure spaces where we feel comfortable relaxing or entertaining guests, but in today’s world of rampant property surveillance it can feel like that privacy is becoming increasingly limited. However you look at it, it’s never a bad idea to have some measure of visual privacy from passers-by or your neighbours. Luckily there are plenty of different ways you can use trees for privacy without compromising their aesthetic appeal. Read on for ideas from David Fairley Gardens on how you can plant trees for privacy in your own home!
Add a Living Fence
One easy way to add privacy to your outdoor space is to plant a living fence. A living fence can be made up of various different shrubs and plants that grow naturally into a dense barrier. You can create a living fence in almost any type of garden or yard space, as you are only limited by your imagination and the right plant choices for your climate. If you want a more formal and manicured look, you can purchase living fencing panels and plant them in a row to get a consistent barrier. On the other hand, if you want a more natural look, plant a living fence in the shape of a meadow or use it to create a privacy wall around your property.
Install a Trellis or Pergola
A pergola is a type of overhead trellis that is often used as a decorative element in gardens. They can be used as a quick and easy way to add privacy to your space without having to plant large and potentially disruptive trees. A pergola can be used to create a whimsical back garden space where you can relax with friends, or a romantic setting where you can enjoy a private tête-à-tête with your partner. When planting a pergola, make sure to choose a plant that will be easy to grow and won’t require too much maintenance. Climbing vines, like morning glory vines, are a great choice. If you’d like to grow something a bit more substantial, try planting climbing roses that can yield beautiful flowers.
Grow Climbing Plants
Climbing plants, such as clematis, wisteria and jasmine, can be used to create a beautiful hanging curtain in your garden without needing to invest in expensive fencing or landscaping. These plants also have the benefit of being relatively easy to maintain, as you only need to periodically prune them to keep them from getting too wild and out of control. If you’re worried about how your neighbours might feel about this type of visual privacy, you can use climbing plants to partially cover your windows, giving passers-by a view of the plants rather than your interior. When choosing plants that you want to grow vertically, it’s important to remember that they will only be able to climb as high as you allow them to. You can control the height of your climbing plants by periodically pruning them back, allowing them to grow outward rather than upward.
Use Shrubs That Have Privacy Benefits
Certain shrubs, like boxwood, have a reputation for being the most effective way to add privacy to your garden. In fact, they have been used as a living barrier in gardens, cemeteries, and home lawns for centuries. While they are a great choice for privacy, they do require some occasional pruning and maintenance to keep them looking their best. Of course, you don’t have to plant a single large shrub to make good use of these privacy benefits. You can also mix and match different shrub species to create a garden barrier that will give passers-by a bit of a “blurred vision”.
Add a Tree Hedge
A tree hedge is a great way to add privacy to your garden without needing to plant a single flowering shrub. It’s also a wonderful way to add colour and create a fun and playful aesthetic. When it comes to planting a tree hedge, you have a few different options. You can either go with a single type of tree or you can mix several different species together. A single type of tree is great if you are looking for a consistent look, but if you would like a more interesting aesthetic, a mixed planting can be a good option.
Try Window Flowering Shrubs
If you’re more concerned about providing privacy for your interior than your exterior, window flowering shrubs are a great way to add a visual barrier to your home. They are normally smaller shrubs with colourful and fragrant blooms, so they can be used to create a colourful and whimsical indoor aesthetic as well. When choosing shrubs for your windows, it’s important to remember that they will need to be pruned and maintained. This is because they will grow upward as they mature, and eventually be too large for your windows if not properly cared for.
Plant a Forest of Trees
If you have a large plot of land, you might want to consider planting a forest of trees, rather than a single tree or shrub. A forest of trees is a great way to create an expansive privacy barrier, especially if you’re living in an area with little or no natural foliage. When planting a forest of trees, it’s important to think about your aesthetic and how the trees will look once they’re fully grown. You want to make sure you’re planting a species that will mature to the right height and have a consistent colour and texture. But don’t worry, our knowledgeable team will be able to help you achieve a perfect look for your needs.
Conclusion
Planting trees and shrubs around your property is a great way to create privacy while also increasing your green space. There are tons of different species to choose from, so you can find the perfect plant for your space. Whether you need to provide privacy for your home, balcony or garden, you can use trees and shrubs to create a barrier that will shield you from prying eyes.