We know you love your neighbors, but sometimes everyone needs a secluded retreat in their own backyard. Here are four customizable solutions to make your landscape more private that you can tackle over a weekend.
Build a Rolling Privacy Planter
This living, leafy privacy planter provides an attractive trellis screen, not to mention a convenient way to exercise your green thumb. Casters make it easy to roll the screen around a patio, porch, or deck, so you can shut out the neighbors wherever you sit.
See step-by-step instructions to make one: How to Build a Privacy Planter
Plant a Floral Fence
Lush border plants, such as ‘Limelight’ hydrangeas, Ivory Halo dogwoods, and daylilies, can beautify and increase the coverage of a fence. No fence? See how to build an all-weather wood lattice fence that will give your lot a curb-appeal boost.
Find more planting ideas: A Private and Inviting Front Yard
Plant an Easy-Care Privacy Hedge
To create a low-maintenance evergreen screen, plant tall arborvitae shrubs, which do not require pruning. Select specimens that are at least 6 feet tall, with green foliage and moist root balls, to gain a sense of privacy right away. They’ll reach 15 feet or more when mature.
For more arborvitae planting tips, see How to Plant a Privacy Hedge
Make a Folding Lattice Screen
A folding wood-panel screen will dress up your landscape and also block out its less appealing aspects. A three- or four-panel configuration will stand on its own when partially folded, assuming there’s not too much wind. Rot-resistant wood and rustproof fasteners are the must-have materials you will need to get started.
See a guide for re-creating the eucalyptus lattice screen shown here: How to Build an Outdoor Privacy Screen