Creating Privacy: Landscape Design Tips for a Cozy Retreat

You want a space that feels your own, but it’s hard to feel alone when all you see are your neighbors’ houses. Let’s look at a few techniques you can utilize to help create a private space in your backyard.

Hedge it

Probably the most predictable problem-solver, hedges refer to a single plant species set in a row. The ideal hedge would be plant material that has a linear growth with a minimally impactful root system. It’s a bit of a Catch-22 though: usually the bigger the plant, the bigger the root system. Many hedges are created with plants that, in the wild, grow to 60’ high and wide. It’s hard to maintain the health of a plant you’re stunting to 10% of it’s natural size. Do a bit of research and try to plant mindfully. See below for some of my favorite hedge plants.

Podocarpus 'Icee Blue'

Ligustrum j. 'Texanum'

Podocarpus 'Maki'

Pittosporum 'Silver Sheen'

Add Espalier

What is an espalier? Espalier refers to a plant that is trained and attached to a frame. It’s usually a vine, but sometimes can be a hedge material as well. This is a great way to have a screen that won’t be as invasive. It’s very narrow and can get you some height. Just make sure your espalier/trellis is tall enough to get you the height you’re looking for. It can sometimes be a bit more maintenance because you have to sometimes help the plant wrap around the frame, but the payoff can be big.

Rosa banksiae

Citrus lemon

Calliandra haematocephalla

Plant a Tree

Trees are the most beneficial plants you can plant in your yard. They offer shade, home value, and help screen. It’s amazing the difference a tree can make in a space. Just make sure the scale of the tree matches your yard! Don’t plant a tree that naturally gets 70’ in a small courtyard.

Ulmus parvifolia 'True Green'

Lagerstroemia indica 'Natchez'

Prosopis glandulosa thornless 'AZT'

Platanus racemosa

Landscape it

Sometimes, it isn’t about eliminating the view from your backyard. It is about creating a view using your backyard. Drawing your attention closer to eye level can distract from what’s going on elsewhere. A crappy backyard is still crappy when you screen everything around it. So plant it up! Create a destination of your outdoor space and I promise, everything else going on around it will fade into the background.