Privacy – We Want It! How do we get it?

Imagine this… It’s a beautiful spring day and I’m wandering a backyard with a client to discuss their landscape needs and wants. The design will include many elements, not only plants, but hardscape, and structures as well as a fire pit and a water feature. They want it all and I’m ready to design the outdoor space that makes them excited to spend many wonderful days entertaining and relaxing.

As I look around, and imagine the discussed possibilities, I see that there will be areas that will be on full display to the backyard neighbors' door. Then, I see that the neighbors to the right have a yard full of kid toys, that while quite natural to see in a home with children, is not the view my client wants to see. Then, of course, the client whispers that they have not gotten along with the neighbor on the other side of their yard for years. The client would rather not have them looking into their space.

OK, maybe you don’t often run into all these scenarios on the same site, but it does happen. Privacy and creating intimate spaces is not something new, but we don’t have to address it in the same way every time we run into the need.

The old standard, “let's plant a row of arborvitae” is not the only solution and should not be the only consideration. While it may indeed be the best solution for a particular scenario, as a designer, its good to branch out and look at other possibilities.

Sometimes an Emerald Green Arb will not be a good fit. For example, if you have deer wandering around your space, these Arborvitae will likely be lunch for the deer, at least as far up as they can reach. There are other varieties of Arbs that will be less likely to be browsed by deer. Green Giant Arbs or Wintergreen Arbs are better solutions for deer areas if, indeed, you and/or your client want the row of Arbs.

You need to know your plants, as they all have different growth rates and height and width requirements. Then there are also considerations like utility lines over a fence line to consider. There is no worse thing than planting beautiful things only to have the utility company come through and chop it all in a very unattractive way.

If space allows, why not create something with more variety of plants giving winter screening, spring or summer flowers, fall color, and just more interest. As we have seen in previous years, a monoculture of plants, can also be a bad idea. If an insect, disease or fungus decides to go after whatever you’ve planted, the entire screening row of plants is wiped out.

Mix different plants and different focal points for a more interesting look and seasonal interest overall. Adding plants that flower in the spring, have wonderful fall color, include evergreen options and great interest during all the seasons makes a garden more enjoyable all year long. Of course, talking to the client to find out where it may be necessary to have year round coverage is a must. Perhaps, its important to the homeowner to have flowers during a specific time of the growing season, as they have a large picnic at that time every year. Maybe feeding the birds is important to them. All these things can and should be considered when selecting the plants for a natural screened area. Also consider plant growth habits so that you are providing the correct size and type of plants to accomplish the privacy. Sometimes an immediate need changes the plants as there just isn’t time to grow in the coverage. It’s also important not to over-plant as some plants' health and development will be compromised if crowded.

Plants are not the only options to consider. Beautiful screening options can be considered as well.

 Custom-built trellis for clematis or cut metal panels can help break up a plant row while still providing beautiful options for privacy. These panels are a particularly great idea when space is an issue. They take up very little yard space and still can be set to provide the blocking of areas. Trellis and metal panels can be mounted to give extra height where needed as well. Then plants can be installed under the area for added interest. These types of panels can also be installed on the side of a pergola or hanging from a roof over a patio.

Because it is not fencing, permitting is not usually needed for this type of installation, however, if you do too long an area, you could have issues. To avoid problems, contact the municipality in the area to see if there are questions about how many continuous panels are too many to be considered a strictly decorative installation that does not need permits.

When we design, there’s so much more than just picking out pretty plants. Professional landscape design needs to encompass all of the needs of the homeowner along with the physical limitations of the space. If you find yourself in need of designs, I’m here to help and can be reached at barowley02@gmail.com or 734-890-9386.