More privacy in your garden

In almost all city gardens, there are issues with people looking in…

Often from the neighbors' house or the house behind them. Or from a taller building located close to the yard.

But sometimes you really can be seen from all sides. For example, in the city center, or in gardens between tall buildings or apartment complexes.

Complete privacy in a city garden is an illusion

Still, there are steps you can take to ensure more privacy (less visibility) in your city garden.

By focusing on the most frequently used seating areas and the windows that are most visible from the outside, you can definitely ensure more privacy—especially in the summer.

In most urban gardens, privacy is achieved by means of a fence shared with the neighbors. But of course, there are other (and more attractive) ways to ensure privacy in your garden.

How can you limit people's view into your yard?

Evergreen hedge

The most logical option is, of course, the evergreen hedge.

Consider a hedge made of yew, boxwood, laurel, privet, or beech. Ivy (whether or not grown on a trellis) is also a good way to ensure sufficient privacy and block the view from the outside.

Tall plants

A hedge still provides a dense barrier. There isn't always room for one, though.

It can also actually create more space by leaving it a little more open (in certain places).

You might consider strategically placed tall shrubs, bamboo, or conifers. Just be sure to choose evergreen species, otherwise you'll see right through it for an entire season.

An additional benefit is that you don't completely enclose the garden, so you (partially) retain your own view. This also prevents the garden (and the house) from becoming darker because the sunlight is blocked.

(Lei)Trees

Planting a tree—or a few trees—in the right spot also provides much more privacy, especially when people are looking in from above—for example, from the upper floor of the neighbors behind you.

Think of espalier trees, roof trees, or ball-shaped trees. With espalier trees, you create, as it were, a hedge on legs, especially if they are planted close together.

Again, consider whether you need privacy in the garden during the winter. If this is less important, then of course there are many more options. In that case, you can also choose from deciduous trees.

Want to quickly add more privacy to your garden?

Want to quickly add more privacy? Then choose a ready-made hedge—such as one made of ivy—or a dense hedge made of potted plants. Of course, choose evergreen varieties. Bamboo is also a great option.

With espalier trees, you can also quickly hide your garden from the view of nosy neighbors.

Limiting visibility in specific situations:

View from immediate neighbors

• Fence or hedge on the property line
• The Hague
• Trellis with climbing plants
• Shrubs trained as espaliers
• Small espalier trees
• Gabions

View from the neighbors behind

• Taller hedge
• Tall shrubs
• Bamboo
• Conifers
• Dwarf tree

View from the street

• The Hague
• Espalier Trees
• Coniferous Trees

View from above (tall buildings)

• Pergola covered in vines
• Roof Tree
• Round-crowned tree
• Sailcloth
• Espalier Trees
• Tall conifers
• Tall bamboo
• Taller trees

Which trees provide plenty of privacy (year-round)?

To ensure sufficient privacy in the garden year-round, it’s important to make sure the tree you choose is evergreen. That way, even in winter, people won’t be able to see into your garden (or home).

• Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)
• Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
• Conifers (Juniperus)
• Pines (Pinus)
• Photinia (Photinia fraseri)
• Olive tree (Olea europaea)
• Olive Willow (Eleagnus ebbingei)
• Holm Oak (Quercus ilex)

Alternatives for More Privacy in the Garden

Of course, there are other ways to limit the view into your garden as well. These are used less often, but they are certainly effective too.

Think of tall topiary shapes, rows of wooden posts (or thick bamboo stalks, or logs), screens made of woven willow or hazel, or filled gabions and dry-stone walls. Exotic plants like palms and banana trees are also very beautiful.

All in all, there are plenty of options for ensuring more privacy in the garden and blocking the view from outside…