Bought our first house and would love to create some more privacy in our back yard. A couple of neighbors can see directly into our back door and patio and I was looking for suggestions.
I plan on planting an Austrian Pine and a Persimmon tree because I love them both and they do well in zone 7. What else can I really do near the fence line to block line of sight in the next couple years?
by rudeographer
35 Comments
Bamboo
Bay laurel
Where are you located? Search for a native nursery and see what they have in stock.
Depends on what zone you’re in. Once you provide that we can give better suggestions.
What zone you are in matters a lot. I like aloe, mother in laws tongue or pampas grass
Some ornamental grasses grow wide and tall.
I always plan in terms of beds, I like 2-3 trees that get above 10 feet tall, two 5-10 foot trees or shrubs in between and in front of each tree , a couple dwarf shrubs in front of that with flowers in and around those and blamo! Beautiful ever changing garden with shade privacy and interest. One or two beds layered like this creates a lovely forest barrier instead of a nearly invasive bay laurel hedge
Arborvitae maybe, I heard some modern breeds of Buckthorn are quite good too.
Red Tip Photinia grows fast and over 8 feet tall.
BAD NEWS,, you don’t have a large enough yard to support anything of quality.
now you can go right ahead and plant what ever you want but in a few years it will be warping the fence and taking up your backyard
I hear you. Privacy is the best when you want to walk around naked on your own property. Also, sometimes when you and your woman want to get freaky, you don’t need no Quagmire peaking over the fence.
Look into some native bushes
Austrian Black Pine will do just fine there- there are quite a few forms out there so do your homework
There are several fastigiate conifers that would be good since the yard is not particularly large
Skyrocket Juniper has great drought tolerant once established and it would address the privacy needs if you position correctly- you said your neighbors can look into your yard but is that from their windows or just standing in their yards?
bay laurel is not hardy enough for zone 7
Sum of them leeland cypress spider nest trees. They grow fast
Carolina Cherry Hedges ASAP!
Depends on your climate. What zone are you in? What big city are you near? Choose something native to your area.
On the old Pawn Stars TV show one of the stars, Jarrod Schultz (married to Brandi Passante), had privacy corn. Literal stalks of corn used to block their neighbor. 😆 🤣 😂
Dapple Willow. They’re really pretty and grow quickly. If you focus on grooming them every fall to ensure they don’t overtake the yard, they can look great!
Oleander. I have finally convinced my wife there won’t be any fatalities from them. I’m planting a long line against a block wall next spring. 9b SoCal
Yo, do we live in the same neighborhood? 😂
Depending on where you are, loom at Big Blue Stem. Its an amazing clumping prairie grass. I have it in all my fence corners
6″-8″ emeralds spaced at 2″ apart and 1″ from the fence line.
Why would you move to the burbs if you want privacy
Arecas anyday💯
Maybe a row of Italian Cypress? They should do well in zone 7, but all new trees still need water so I would at least have a watering system before you invest in plants. Even an above ground hose irrigation set up will do. Congrats on the new home!!!
What are those tall trees in the background?
BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING, call 811 for utility locates. Nice neighborhoods have buried utilities in back. Research your deed / subdivision plat for drainage swale easements. By the time you lose 5’ here, and 12’ there, you may not have much left.
After that, contact your local native plant group and stay with the natives. These people are generous with their time and expertise.
If that’s a proper climate for them, shrub roses would make some gorgeous softening of the fence line. Some great cultivars out of Texas A&M.
Resist planting a fort wall along the property lines. Instead, find the views you like and want to keep. Then, choose the proper trees and place them to shield the views you don’t want and give you the privacy you desire.
Cypress and upright maples.
[Columnar Trees… mixture of fruit and other](https://www.epicgardening.com/columnar-trees/)
Fence topper
In addition to knowing your zone, also consider the amount of sun the site will receive. Also, do you want deciduous or evergreen trees? Avoid shrubs with spiny leaves for obvious reasons.
Many counties have “master gardeners,” who are required to have lots of education and experience to achieve that status, and are usually available for free through your county office. Universities with agriculture or horticulture majors are good resources.
Photonia. They grow fast and huge so plant them 3 feet away from each other and 5 feet apart
Fruit trees that do well in your area and tastes. Besides a vegetative barrier, you get tasty fruit.