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Backyard Landscaping Ideas for Privacy

With the majority of our North Texas residents living in developed subdivisions with neighbors on all sides, privacy is high on the list of homeowner priorities. In this article, we’ll share some backyard landscaping ideas for privacy that can help you create a backyard retreat.

Create a Living Wall

The easiest way to create privacy on your property would be to install a wall of Texas native landscaping plants or a living wall. Plants can create an eye-appealing alternative for both you and your neighbor.

Tall Hedges

For a complete privacy screen, plant evergreen trees and shrubs, which mature quickly to the desired height. In order for the plants to “hedge” together, cut the recommended planting distance by a few feet. Red Tip Photinia, Needlepoint Holly, and Elaeagnus are a few great hedging shrubs.

Bamboo Screening

One of the fastest-growing and tallest-growing plants that can be used for privacy is Bamboo. However, it’s highly invasive. We recommend that all bamboo be planted in containers and set on a concrete surface to ensure that it doesn’t have a chance to spread outside of the container and invade the surrounding soil.

Vine Wall

Perhaps you need privacy but don’t have the square footage to install a large structure or row of plantings. If that’s the case, let vines do the work for you. A wall of vines is a wonderful option for homeowners with open, wrought iron fences.

Layered Privacy Plantings

Gaining privacy with planting doesn’t have to be a single row of large plants that are all the same height. Create depth and dimension by layering your plants. Vary the height to provide privacy in different ways, and consider adding multiple rows of plants. Finally, consider mixing up the types of privacy plants: trees, tall shrubs, medium shrubs, and grassy perennials.

Vertical Garden

Privacy is almost always achieved with height. An elegant way to achieve both is by installing a vertical garden.

Arbor

An arbor is an arched or right-angled freestanding structure that provides vertical support for plants. Arbors make a wonderful anchor for most flowering vines.

Pergola Planters

Pergolas also provide excellent structures for plants, privacy, and shade. You can build pergola planters to support larger vine growth directly on the structure itself.

Hanging Plants

A very inexpensive way to bring privacy to your backyard porch or patio space would be to install hanging plants. Include plants that provide height but also hang down.

Potted Plants

Perhaps you don’t have the square footage in your yard to dedicate to large privacy plants. If that’s the case, invest in several potted plants. The right plant in the right spot could give you all the backyard privacy you need.

Privacy Screen Panels

A straightforward way to provide privacy in your backyard would simply be to install a privacy screen. They are smaller and much less expensive than a fence, and they can be taller.

Trellis

A trellis is simply a structure of small wooden or metal slats. These can be used to support plants, but they can also be installed as a simple privacy screen.

Wood Privacy Wall

A bit more robust than a trellis, a wood privacy wall tends to have larger slats, which typically run horizontal. The bigger horizontal slats allow for privacy but can also provide a means of attaching planters.

Folding Privacy Dividers

For a less permanent backyard privacy structure, you can add a folding privacy screen to your space. Most privacy dividers are lightweight and portable.

Outdoor Screened Room

Building an outdoor screened room might be on the expensive side of privacy solutions for your backyard retreat, but it is effective. The screens provide natural privacy as well as insulation from the elements. Most screened rooms can be built with removable panels as well.

Raised Landscaping Beds

Add some privacy to your backyard by taking your planting spaces and lifting them up with raised landscaping beds. These elevated planting beds are ideal for landscaping around a backyard pool.

Berm Planting Beds

Berming a planting bed simply means that the soil line grows progressively higher. It’s similar to creating a small hill within your bed. Plant along the high side of the bed. This not only provides your plants with extra soil for root growth, but it also allows you more privacy with smaller plants.

Stone Planting Beds

Elevate the look and height of your plants with a stone planting bed. Using natural or manufactured stone, create your own planting bed surround. Fill it with soil and tall plants to create your secluded backyard space.

Elevated Planter Boxes

There is no shortage of planting boxes, which provide added height and potential privacy. These could be tall pots made from metal, clay, or even plastic, or they could be simple wooden raised gardening bed planters.

What is the fastest-growing plant for privacy?

Bamboo is the fastest-growing plant for privacy, although it is invasive. Red Tip Photinia is the fastest-growing evergreen shrub.

What is the best plant to block neighbors view?

For complete privacy, you need a plant with dense foliage. The best plants to block neighbors views are Holly and Boxwood.

How do I add privacy to my backyard?

You can add privacy to your backyard by adding a hedgerow, installing a wooden structure, or creating a screened outdoor room.