Creating a serene, private garden doesn’t require tall fences or complex landscaping. With the right fragrant flowers, you can add natural beauty and seclusion at the same time. A garden expert on Martha Stewart’s blog has shared three beautiful and fragrant plants that also shield your outdoor space from prying eyes.
They stated: “These privacy screens can be trees, shrubs, or vines—so long as you train them to cover the desired area. Of course, with so many elegant options to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start.” Discover below the best plants for creating a secluded, sweet-smelling retreat, according to gardening experts.
1. Wisteria
A great option is wisteria plants, which boast large and beautiful colourful flowers. Thanks to their impressive eight-foot spread, just a few plants, spaced several feet apart, can create the perfect screen.
“It does best when trained on an arbour, trellis, or fence to allow a full view of the spectacular, pendulous flower clusters,” says Megan McConnell, horticulturist at Monrovia.
Planting wisteria is best between October and April, but container-grown wisterias can be planted at any time of the year. They need full sun to thrive, but they can also grow in slight shade; however, flowering will be reduced.
“Wisteria plants will dry out quickly on light or sandy soil, so keep them well watered, particularly when newly planted and in dry periods,” said the RHS.
2. Crab apple
Laura Irish-Hanson, a horticulture educator, suggested that crab apple trees are among the best plants for privacy, appearance, and fragrance.
She said: “A member of the rose family, crab apples can be intensely showy and fragrant. These easy, low-maintenance trees can handle a variety of soils and even hold up well to air pollution, if you happen to be in an urban or industrial area.
“Birds are a fan of the fruit; eaten raw, they may be tart for many humans, but they can be made into jellies or jams.”
These trees can grow up to 20 feet tall and 20 feet wide and can live up to 100 years, according to Martha Stewart’s blog. Crab Apples come in many shades of golden orange, yellow, pink, red and purple.
3. Climbing Roses
Roses are a classic flower that’s popular in British gardens. “With a variety of colours and traits, talk with a local garden centre expert to find the right fit for your needs
“You may need to find the right trellis, arbour, or fence to support your roses, but once established, it’s well worth the cost,” says Megan McConnell.
Climbing roses thrive in fertile soil, especially when enriched with well-rotted manure as mulch. The plant can grow up to 12 feet tall and 10 feet wide.
They grow well in full sun or light shade, and several varieties are suited for north-facing walls, fences, and pillars. The RHS reported that during the summer months, they benefit from consistent, generous watering to keep them healthy and blooming.