The heart of my urban garden is completely secluded from onlookers, which was one of the primary goals when constructing it. Most people don’t know that it’s even there until they are invited in. Short of installing a tall, imposing fence, you can achieve this kind of screening through a combination of structures and plant placement.
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3 Ways to Create Privacy without a Fence
1. Arbors Draped in Vines Can Create a Nearly Impenetrable Screen
An arbor toward the middle of the garden is connected by a lintel beam to the side of the house. This structure provides the largest source of privacy in my garden. It’s draped in thick vines that are allowed to intertwine and largely run wild.
2. Trees and Shrubs Placed in Strategic Sight Lines Create the Next Level of Shielding
The front of the garden sports some larger trees and shrubs such as beautybush (Kolkwitzia amabilis, Zones 4–8) and hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9) that, when in leaf, ensure the street and the neighbors are not visible from the heart of the garden. But even during winter, evergreens such as Japanese white pines (Pinus parviflora, Zones 5–7) provide screening.
3. Sometimes, Privacy Is Relative
I chose not to create a barrier between my patio with the outdoor couch and my neighbors’ abutting windows because the space is so narrow that it felt rude (above). An inclusive attitude prevailed, and I decided that I wanted them to be able to enjoy the garden as I do. However, my back porch is screened off with a combination of containers, window boxes, and vines to provide a bit more seclusion.
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
ARS Telescoping Long Reach Pruner
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Telescopes from 4 to 7′. Cut and Hold (160) Blades. Drop forged blades for unsurpassed long lasting sharpness. Lightweight, 2.3 lbs., for continued use. Perfectly balanced for easy pruning.
Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden, Revised and Updated Second Edition: A Natural Approach to Pest Control
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This revised and updated edition of Jessica Walliser’s award-winning Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden offers a valuable and science-backed plan for bringing balance back to the garden. With this indispensable gardening reference—now updated with new research, insights, and voices—learn how to create a healthy, balanced, and diverse garden capable of supporting a hard-working crew of beneficial pest-eating insects and eliminate the need for synthetic chemical pesticides.
Lee Valley Mini Garden Shear Set
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These shears have a distinctive finger rest that not only aids grip but allows greater freedom of movement than a conventional handle design. They have a durable powder-coat finish to resist rust and wear, and a simple clasp that locks the spring-action stainless-steel blades closed. The set includes one pair of round-nose shears measuring 5 1/2″ overall with 1″ blades for cutting stems up to 3/8″ in diameter, and one pair of 6 1/2″ needle-nose shears with 2″ fine-tip blades for precise work.
