Who wants to be constantly exposed to prying eyes in their garden or on the terrace? A privacy screen can quickly help here. Opaque shrubs represent a nature-based solution. Mother Nature offers a we alth of magnificent species that make every hobby gardener spoiled for choice. On the one hand, maintaining privacy is the top priority, but on the other hand, the natural privacy screen should be harmoniously integrated into the entire garden concept. The following lines will tell you which shrubs are suitable as privacy screens.
Evergreen shrubs as a year-round visual barrier
Where long-term protection from indiscreet looks is desired, shrub species that wear their leaves all year round are particularly suitable. The following evergreen shrubs impress with either decorative foliage or enchanting flowers. In addition, they reach a height of more than 2 meters. Compared to conifers that appear quite strict, shrubs with a looser habit score points and require less care in terms of shape and maintenance pruning.
Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Genolia')
Slender silhouette, bright green foliage and a delicate white flower speak for the evergreen cherry laurel. Overall, the Genolia variety thrives more cautiously than other varieties. This means that it can also be shortlisted as a privacy screen for medium-sized to small gardens.
- Growth height 250 to 400 cm
- Growth width 50 to 100 cm
- for sunny to semi-shady locations
- Large-leaved barberry (Berberis julianae)
Pure yellow flowers shine in dense clusters above oval, glossy leaves in May and June. Dark blue berries follow in late summer, providing food for the birds throughout the winter. The long thorns also prevent dark figures from entering the property without permission.
- Growth height 250 to 300 cm
- Growth width 100 to 150 cm
- for sunny and partially shaded locations
Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea)
Its exceptional pruning tolerance recommends firethorn as a first-class candidate for year-round privacy protection. Not to forget the bright fruit decorations in intense red or rich golden yellow.
- Growth height 250 to 300 cm
- Growing width 150 to 250 cm
- thrives in the sun and light shade
Tip:
The mixed arrangement of shrubs emphasizes the naturalness of the privacy hedge without undermining its central task.
Deciduous shrubs for summer privacy
If safe protection from prying eyes is desired, especially during the summer outdoor season, the following deciduous shrubs come into focus. They fulfill this task in conjunction with a lavish flowering, which evergreen trees are usually not capable of, or only capable of to a limited extent. This pleases the eye of the beholder just as much as bees, bumblebees, butterflies and birds.
Spiraea vanhouttei
In May and June, this type of shrub lives up to its name with an exuberant abundance of flowers. The dense foliage leaves no room for prying eyes from outside. The magnificent spar then says goodbye to winter with a colorful autumn color in yellow and orange.
- Growth height 250 to 300 cm
- Growth width 100 to 200 cm
- strong growth even in calcareous soil
Forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia 'Lynwood Gold')
Do you want a privacy screen without constantly having to deal with the issue of pruning? Then you should pay attention to a forsythia. This variety is also appropriately called Goldbells, thanks to the bright yellow flowers in early spring.
- Growth height 200 to 300 cm
- Growth width 100 to 150 cm
- favors nutrient-rich, well-drained soil
Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
You can create a lavishly blooming and at the same time captivatingly scented privacy screen with lilac. The wild lilac in particular thrives so densely that it also keeps annoying wind away from the property.
-
With proper care, lilacs grow very densely and are also suitable as privacy screens Growth height 350 to 400 cm
- Growth width 200 to 350 cm
- prefers a slightly calcareous, humus-rich garden soil
Tip: When measuring the distance to the neighboring property, don't just take the legal requirements into account. Even when fully grown, the privacy bushes should still provide enough space for rear maintenance work.
Shrubs in a pot as a privacy screen for the terrace
If you want to provide a view of your lovingly maintained garden while you relax undisturbed on the terrace, shrubs in the pot will act as a privacy screen. The following species and varieties are recommended:
Hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus)
The garden marshmallow impresses with huge flowers in the most wonderful color nuances. In the warm, sunny spot on the terrace, the shrub develops its full potential. Cultivated in a pot on a mobile plant trolley, hibiscus creates a privacy screen wherever it is desired.
- Growth height 150 to 180 cm
- Growth width 100 to 150 cm
- requires nutrient-rich substrate
Oleander (Nerium oleander)
This shrub combines Mediterranean floral splendor with effective privacy protection. Choose this luxurious privacy screen if you are comfortable with regular pruning. Then the flowering bush will retain its dense habit for many years and will pamper you with long-lasting blooms from June to September.
- Growth height 200 to 600 cm
- Growing width 100 to 400 cm
- poisonous in all parts
Farmer Jasmine (Philadelphus coronarius 'Aureus')
Here you will find the ideal shrub if you want a particularly easy-care privacy screen for your terrace. It is no coincidence that farmer's jasmine is one of the most popular garden shrubs, as its undemanding nature is legendary. Its tight, upright habit with slightly curved side branches looks very decorative. The countless, snow-white flowers and the dense foliage reliably protect your privacy at your seat well into autumn.
- Growth height 200 to 400 cm
- Growth width 150 to 350 cm
- thrives in any good potting soil
A height-staggered arrangement of plants around the terrace provides additional relaxation in the appearance. Place plant boxes with perennials and summer flowers immediately around the seating area. Behind it, position half-height bushes as an intermediate level. The conclusion is made up of tall shrub species. Since this variant requires a lot of space, it is particularly suitable for large properties.
Tip:
Higher windows receive natural privacy protection from small-crowned trees, such as the globe maple (Acer platanoides) or crabapple (Malus).
Conclusion of the editors
Shrubs offer safe protection from prying eyes from neighbors and passers-by. Compared to a wall, they impress with their naturalness and at the same time make a valuable ecological contribution. There are suitable trees to choose from for every design requirement, with a height of no less than 2 meters. Evergreen ornamental shrubs maintain your privacy all year round, while deciduous shrubs impress with their opulent flowers. If the only thing that needs to be protected from onlookers is the seat on the terrace, shrubs in the pot take on this task in a decorative manner. If you don't want to feel restricted by the massive appearance of a conifer hedge, you are well advised to use a privacy screen made of shrubs.
What you should know about shrubs as privacy screens
Shrubs as privacy screens for terraces and gardens
If you've just built a new home and it's still too bare around your new home, you usually can't get the planting done quickly enough. However, you have to be patient with bushes. The privacy screen doesn't necessarily work from one day to the next. This is of course a question of money: If there is no shortage of it, you can buy a few larger specimens, which will then provide a certain level of privacy.
Fast-growing shrubs
Otherwise, it makes sense to choose shrubs that grow as quickly as possible and also have a nice, dense and bushy growth to achieve the desired effect. Then you should decide whether you prefer an evergreen hedge or a mixture of different shrubs. The cherry laurel is one of the evergreen plants that grows quite quickly and is already very popular. Many properties are surrounded by a whole series of cherry laurel plants. If that seems a bit too boring for you, you should use different varieties.
Mixed hedge
Most shrubs can also be allowed to grow into a mixed hedge. Not only does this look beautiful, but it also provides nice nesting places for birds. Suitable here:
- Ornamental currant,
- pipe bush,
- Buddleia,
- Spear bushes
But forsythia also grow quickly and bloom in strikingly colorful colors in spring. However, for a mixed hedge, the bushes should not be too tall. A good height is usually 2 to 3 m. Laburnum, gorse, fragrant jasmine, barberry and a few more are also ideal as privacy screens. Of course, you should always take into account the lighting conditions that the relevant shrubs need in order to grow. Most of the time they want to stand in the sun. Alternatively, laurel is recommended here, as it also thrives in the shade.
Rose bushes as privacy screens
An alternative would be fast-growing roses, such as Ghislaine de feligonde, Westerland or various rambler roses could be suitable as they become real bushes.
