I have always viewed privacy planting as a necessary evil. Rather than focusing on aesthetics, this style of gardening usually prioritizes seclusion, which often results in an overly rigid and manicured look. However, the landscape at Ina Garten's home in East Hampton proves this doesn’t have to be the case. I recently came across an archival image of the Barefoot Contessa’s approach to planting for privacy, and it is absolutely stunning.
Her front yard features four rounded topiaries, a red maple tree waking up with fresh buds, and low ground cover like lavender. Medium–height hydrangeas provide the promise of lush green growth as the 2026 spring season begins.
What makes her backyard landscaping so alluring is the perfect balance between the manicured and the wild. While many associate privacy screens with massive walls of greenery or towering bamboo, Ina’s landscape feels intentionally casual.
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Japanese boxwoods are low-maintenance plants that provide lasting structure and formality in the garden. They are a great option for beginners and work beautifully as privacy screens when planted together.
Spring gardening gets a stylish upgrade with Martha Stewart’s four-piece trowel and cultivator set. Built to be durable and weather-resistant, the collection includes a trowel, transplanter, and two cultivators, making garden care simple and efficient.
This evergreen shrub is perfect for forming a natural privacy hedge that helps create a quiet, secluded backyard. It’s a simple way to make your outdoor area feel more intimate and begin designing your own peaceful garden retreat.
A personal favorite for climbing plants, vining hydrangea always makes an impression—and these selections are no exception. Their abundant, cloud-like flowers on strong vines produce a rich, layered, and visually striking display.
The classic American arborvitae is an excellent foundation for recreating Ina's natural privacy style. With its deep green foliage and upright form, it’s well-suited for adding vertical interest and bringing height to any outdoor setting.
From spring planting to winter cleanup, these reusable, rip-resistant bags make gathering and transporting garden waste simple and efficient. Spacious and weather-resistant, they offer a practical solution for tidying your outdoor space in any season.
As the 2026 spring air warms, her unshaped maple tree provides a delicate canopy of new leaves, while the hydrangeas tucked into the borders suggest a garden planted purely for beauty.
I also admire how the curves of her front-of-house shrubs emphasize her home’s architecture; those rounded bushes echo the soft lines of her arched garden doorways. By introducing a vibrant burst of life from the small tree, she prevents the design from feeling too formulaic or asymmetrical.
If you want to emulate this look during this 2026 spring awakening, now is the ideal time to start digging. While Julian Palphramand, Head of Plants at British Garden Centers, notes that 'September is a wonderful time to get planting,' the early spring months offer an equally vital window to establish perennials.
By picking the right mix, you can enjoy a garden that is 'full of changing colors and gentle fragrance' from these first signs of spring right through to the end of the year.
Privacy planting does not have to follow a tired script. Whether you are in the Hamptons or elsewhere, it is possible to create a screen that is both creative and deeply personal.
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