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Fresh air, sunshine and entertaining outdoors are among life’s greatest pleasures. However, the ambience is easily broken when neighbours or passers-by can see directly into your private sanctuary. Thankfully, there are plenty of screening options that allow you to shield your backyard without transforming it into a fortress. Read on for inspiring ideas and expert tips to creating an outdoor oasis.
Screening plants are superb, as they deliver privacy with the softness of a living element. Andy Kepitis of Kep Horticulture (kephorticulture.com) says there’s a plant for every situation, but “your plant choice should take into consideration how much light the area receives, and how tall and wide the plant grows,” he says.
Fast-growing climbing plants, such as star jasmine and hardenbergia, are great to climb and scramble over trellises or arches, creating a dense, green barrier. Hedges are ideal, too, but avoid taking shortcuts to quick growth. “Planting hedging plants really close together may result in a ‘quicker’ screen, but you will have issues later with dieback,” warns Andy. If space is limited, a few strategically placed pots or planter boxes, with large plants like juniper or camellia, is a perfect solution.
A quick option – especially for balconies and fences that need extra height – is flexible screening. Usually fashioned from bamboo or woven materials, these flexible screens are easy to install. As Tiger Nagel of Eden screening products explains: “Simply roll out and attach to your fence with staples, nylon ties or wires.” They can be customised to suit the space, too. “Cut the screen to size or join pieces together with staples or ties,” Tiger says.
Flexible screens aren’t freestanding, though, so you’ll need to attach them to a support like a fence or pergola. “They’re a great solution for renters, allowing a cosmetic change while staying budget friendly,” says Andy. “Take the time to install it properly to ensure it stands the test of time.”
Decorative screens or panels can add instant privacy to any part of the garden. They’re great for creating secluded pockets in your garden, especially around entertaining areas or quiet zones. They are available in steel, aluminium, UV-stabilised recycled plastic or timber, and may be coloured, decoratively patterned with laser-cut motifs, or oxidised for an earthy, weathered look.
A solid steel or timber fence can completely block out wandering eyes, but check the boundaries as well as any other regulatory restrictions before building. This may include engaging a licensed surveyor to determine the exact lines of your property. If a solid fence is too bold or imposing, consider slatted options and plant in front to help increase privacy and soften the appearance. If there is an existing fence but the neighbours are on higher ground, try fence extenders. “These can be useful if you need to reduce sightlines from nearby homes,” says Andy. Always let your neighbours know of your plans before installation, as this impacts them, as well.
Weeping lilly pilly: White blooms and attractive berries adorn this informal hedging star.
Melaleuca ‘Revolution Gold’: Attract native wildlife with a lightly trimmed screen.
Pittosporum ‘Screenmaster’: Prune this hardy shrub during spring for a tidy hedge.
Hardenbergia ‘Sea of Purple’: Train this fast- growing climber over fences and along wires.
Find out how with our handy guide.
Photo Credit: Belinda Merrie, Gap Photos/Paul Debois and Getty Images
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