The plants we choose for our yards have impacts far beyond aesthetics. Chief among them is ensuring organic privacy, but no one wants their home to look like a fortress. Thus, planting for privacy is a tricky balance between seclusion and invitation.
An archival image of Elizabeth Taylor's family home from 1963 is a great inspiration for nailing this equilibrium with the best plants for privacy. The Taylor home in the Hampstead neighborhood of London has a cozy brick construction. At the front, they have planted a collection of wild low shrubs, taller, more manicured hedges, and a towering deciduous tree. To the right of the house, hedges obscure the side windows from passing cars. It's stunning.
The beautiful yard is full of lessons about how to plant both for privacy and for living.
Nina Lichtenstein, design expert, explains: 'Creating privacy in a front yard can be as simple as strategically selecting the right plants, which not only enhance seclusion but also add lush beauty to your outdoor space. Plants chosen for privacy should have dense foliage, thrive in your climate, and offer year-round coverage if possible.'
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Japanese Boxwoods are low-maintenance, and provide structure and formality over a long period. They are a fantastic option for garden novices and make great privacy screens when planted together. Plus, they're green all year round to keep your home protected even in the winter months.
These Felco pruning shears have hardened blades for effortless trimming in your yard, making light work of tough rose pruning jobs. They're essential in every kind of garden. Furthermore, our in-house master gardener, Thom Rutter believes that they are some of the best pruners on the market. Ideal for pruning your ivy.
This beautiful, verdant ivy plant would be the perfect complement to a wild garden. It looks gorgeous climbing on an antique-style white house. There are enough seeds in the pack to ensure you create a beautiful display.
Choosing from the best evergreen shrubs is the perfect place to start on recreating Liz's look.
Nina states: 'For those who want privacy throughout the year, evergreens are ideal. Thuja Green Giant and Leyland Cypress are two popular options; they grow quickly and develop into dense, towering screens. For a unique pop of color and added privacy, Blue Spruce trees are a stunning choice, bringing a cool-toned blue-green hue to the landscape. Their dense branches provide excellent coverage, making them a great option for larger backyards. Smaller evergreen shrubs like boxwood and privet are also excellent for lower privacy hedges and adapt well to various climates.'
Adding a few of the best trees for privacy is your next best line of defense.
'If you’re in a temperate climate, consider trees like magnolia, holly, or bay laurel,' advises Nina. 'These broadleaf evergreens are ideal for creating a dense, year-round privacy wall, and they add lushness and visual interest to any landscape.'
She concludes: 'Selecting a mix of these plants, such as combining Blue Spruce with flowering shrubs or ornamental grasses, can create a layered, natural privacy screen that not only shields your backyard from view but also elevates its beauty, texture, and seasonal appeal. For the best results, plant with varying heights and types to create a visually rich backdrop while ensuring effective privacy.'
The best privacy planting builds a home that feels appropriately covered by greenery, but is also warm and welcome to guests. No matter the year, this balance emerges when we pair plants of different heights and wildness.
