Creative Screening Plants for Privacy — Seattle’s Favorite Garden Store Since 1924 – Swansons Nursery

Everyone likes a little privacy. We want to feel like at least some part of our garden is a private oasis, a place where we can go to relax and leave the cares of the world behind. That doesn’t necessarily mean building a fortress of walls around your yard. In fact, there are many creative options for privacy screening.

Editor’s Note: updated for 2022!

Here are some things to consider as you begin. First, what are your screening needs?

• Do you prefer a formal hedge or plantings that blend into the landscape?

• Do you need to cover the entire length of your property line or will you screen only one area?

• Do you want to block views from overhead, such as from a neighbor’s deck or windows?

When you have determined your basic screening needs, ask yourself a few more questions:

Don’t forget to consider multiple angles of coverage as well. View the site from different angles to be sure you are covered from all sides.

You may also want to think about a temporary solution while waiting for your plants to fill in, such as bamboo or brush fencing.

Formal Hedges