9 Screening Plants for Garden Privacy
Screening plants in a well-executed landscape design can transform outdoor space into a beautiful and functional oasis. An incredible landscape design creates a sanctuary of relaxation and comfort. After a long and tiring day at work, spending time in a well-designed landscape can rejuvenate the mind and body. Whether it is a cozy seating area, a tranquil garden, or a serene water feature, the elements of a well-planned landscape provide a peaceful escape from the stresses of daily life. The soothing sights, sounds, and scents of nature create a serene atmosphere that promotes relaxation, allowing individuals to unwind, recharge and find solace in the beauty of their surroundings.
Screening plants can not only increase the privacy in your garden; they can make your small garden appear larger. Obscuring the fence or border with screening plants or climbers will help to fix the "closed in" look that bare fences will give you. If you are landscaping for a swimming pool, then the use of screening plants will provide privacy for your pool area.
Why are screening plants important?
Provide privacy: Privacy is fundamental to any living space, and screening plants offer an effective solution. They create a sense of seclusion, allowing individuals to enjoy their outdoor areas without feeling exposed to prying eyes. Whether it is a backyard, patio or poolside, these plants provide a sense of security and solitude, encouraging relaxation and peacefulness.
Noise barriers: Screening plants act as practical noise barriers. They can absorb and deflect sound waves, minimizing the impact of noise pollution from nearby roads, neighbours or other sources.
Provide shade: Another advantage of screening plants is their ability to provide shade. Strategically positioning tall trees or climbing vines can cast shade on patios, decks, or seating areas, relieving the scorching sun during hot summer days.
Enhance visual appeal: Screening plants contribute to the visual appeal of a landscape. They add depth, texture, and interest by introducing different heights, colours and foliage textures, creating a sense of balance and harmony in the overall design.
This landscape design in the leafy southern suburbs of Melbourne featured court yard paving with sandstone pavers. These pavers run very close to the fence to make the best of the small space.
Improving garden privacy
For improved privacy, a fence extension was added. The screening plants used for this application need to be ones with slow growing non invasive roots. The plant chosen was a conifer, Thuja Occidentalis, sometimes referred to as a White Cedar. As it prefers moist, well drained soil, a dripper system using tank water was installed. The subsoil also incorporated a drainage system. The fine needles of this plant also make the small courtyard garden appear larger. The drainage system also helps to prevent the nearby fence from rotting. The light coloured sandstone paving also makes the small courtyard appear larger. The lighter leaves of the Crepe Myrtle contrast well with the dark green leaves of the Thuja Occidentalis.
Screening Plants - Thuja Occidentalis or White Cedar
White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) is an evergreen conifer with several qualities that make the species excellent for creating a hedge or natural screen. The white cedar holds on to its leaves throughout the year, ensuring privacy even during winter. The white cedar has a reputation for being a slow-to-moderately growing evergreen conifer. It has a neat, conical shape and attractive emerald-green foliage that looks good all year round. Here it provides a backdrop for the splash of colour the potted petunias provide. The foliage can have a pleasant aroma, adding a sensory element to the landscape.
Furthermore, white cedar is known for its columnar or pyramidal growth habit, making it ideal for vertical screening plant use. Its tall stature allows it to create a tall and imposing screen, effectively sheltering the area from external sights and providing a sense of seclusion.
White cedar requires adequate spacing to allow for proper air circulation and avoid overcrowding, especially as it matures. Careful consideration of its potential height and spread is essential when planning its placement in a landscape design.
The Thuja Occidentalis has a reputation for being a slow-to-moderately growing evergreen conifer. It has a neat, conical shape and attractive emerald-green foliage that looks good all year round. Here it provides a backdrop for the splash of colour provided by the potted petunias.
Weeping Lilly Pilly (Waterhousea floribunda)
For the narrow shady space between the house and the fence, Waterhousea floribunda (Weeping Lilly Pilly) was chosen.
The weeping lilly pilly is a popular choice for use as a screening plant due to its dense foliage and attractive weeping habit. It is native to Australia and is known for its lush, glossy green leaves and clusters of small white flowers that bloom in summer. The plant produces small, edible berries often used in jams and desserts. It is the best option for the narrow shady space between the house and the fence.
Waterhousea floribunda occurs naturally in rainforests in Queensland and New South Wales. It is commonly used for hedging or screening plants. The lush lime green crinkled slender leaves contrast with the new growth, which is a soft pink bronze. In summer, it produces fluffy white flowers that develop into pink berries. This plant is suitable for growing in part shade to full sun, so it is ideal for this position in the garden by a fence. Here it can get some protection from harsh drying winds. As you would expect for a rainforest plant, it is tolerant of wet soils. It is important not to let the soil dry out too much, so a dripper system is a real benefit. It is sometimes called “weeping satinash” in South East Queensland, also known as Syzygium floribundum.
Screening Plants - lilly pilly hedge
Lilly pilly (Syzygium spp.) is a popular choice for creating a hedge or screening plant due to its dense foliage, attractive appearance, and ability to tolerate pruning. It is a versatile plant that can be used for formal and informal hedges, providing privacy, windbreaks and noise reduction in gardens and landscapes.
For a lilly pilly hedge, you might also want to consider the Acmena smithii, now known as the Syzygium smithii ‘Hedgemaster’, a low-growing variety of the common Lilly pilly. Both of these varieties occur naturally in Queensland and New South Wales rainforests. It is commonly sued for hedging or screening plants. The lush lime green crinkled slender leaves contrast with the new growth, which is a soft pink bronze. In summer, it produces fluffy white flowers that develop into pink berries. This plant is suitable for growing in part shade to full sun, so it is ideal for this position in the garden by a fence. Here it gets some protection from harsh drying winds. As you would expect for a rainforest plant, it is tolerant of wet soils. It is important not to let the soil dry out too much, so a dripper system is a real benefit. Regular pruning or trimming will be required to form it into a hedge.
Screening Plants - Hakea salicifolia
For the rear fence, Hakea salicifolia, also known as the Willow Leafed Hakea, was chosen as the screening plant. As it will tolerate a partly shaded position, it is ideal for growing along a fence line.
Hakea salicifolia, also known as the Willow Leafed Hakea, was chosen as the screening plant for the rear fence. As it will tolerate a partly shaded position, it is ideal for growing along a fence line. Under the right conditions, it will quickly grow and screen out the neighbours. From winter to spring, it will display masses of white flowers. When growing rapidly, new growth will have a purple tint. If it is a more formal hedge you are after, it will respond well to regular pruning. As it is native to New South Wales and South East Queensland and tolerant to strong winds and frost, it can be used all over the Gold Coast. Whether you are in Upper Coomera, Ashmore or Broadbeach, this makes an ideal fast-growing hedge or screening plant.
Hakeas are named after Baron Christian Ludwig von Hake, a patron of science and especially botany in Hanover, Germany. Salicifolia refers to how the leaves resemble willow. The willow tree is from the genus Salix.
Under the right conditions, it will be fast growing and will screen out the neighbours very quickly. From winter to spring, it will display masses of white flowers. When growing rapidly, new growth will have a purple tint. If it is a more formal hedge you are after, it will respond well to regular pruning. As it is native to New South Wales and South East Queensland, as well as tolerant to both strong winds and frost, it can be used all over the Gold Coast. Whether you are in Upper Coomera, Ashmore or Broadbeach, this makes an ideal fast growing hedge or screening plant.
Photinia Robusta
Photinia Robusta is a good choice for a screening plant in Melbourne, Australia. Its vibrant, glossy foliage and dense growth habit provide an attractive and effective barrier to privacy in your outdoor space.
One of the standout features of Photinia robusta is its stunning red foliage that emerges during spring. The vibrant colour adds a touch of beauty and liveliness to any landscape, making it a popular choice among homeowners and landscapers. This evergreen shrub maintains its lush green leaves throughout the year, ensuring your screening remains intact even in winter.
Photinia Robusta forms a dense, bushy screen, reaching a height of up to 4 meters. This makes it ideal for creating a visual barrier to shield your property from prying eyes or blocking unwanted views. The plant can be easily pruned and shaped to maintain the desired height and shape, allowing you to customize the screening to suit your needs.
Ficus Hilli ‘Flash’
Ficus Flash (Ficus Hilli) is a tall, evergreen, fast-growing tree with glossy emerald green foliage, making it an excellent choice for a screening plant. With its dense foliage and attractive appearance, it can provide privacy, shade, and visual appeal to any outdoor space.
The essential advantage of this plant is its fast growth rate. This evergreen tree can quickly establish itself and form a dense screen, making it ideal for privacy in residential gardens or screening off undesirable views. Its lush, glossy green leaves are densely packed, providing adequate yearly coverage.
Beyond its screening capabilities, Ficus Hilli also offers aesthetic benefits. Its dense foliage creates a vibrant and lush backdrop, enhancing the overall beauty of any garden. The tree’s compact and upright growth habit makes it suitable for smaller spaces, as it can be easily maintained and pruned to desired heights and shapes.
Westringia Screening Plants
Westringia is also an excellent choice for a screen plant due to its many desirable characteristics. This versatile evergreen shrub, native to Australia, offers both beauty and functionality, making it a popular option for creating privacy and defining boundaries in gardens and landscapes.
Its dense growth habit, adaptability, low maintenance requirements and attractive foliage make it a top choice for those seeking an effective and visually pleasing solution for screening and defining outdoor space.
Westringia offers year-round interest with occasional displays of small, white or purple flowers that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. These flowers add a splash of colour to the screen and enhance the overall appeal of the plant.
Westringia responds well to pruning and can be shaped into formal hedges or maintained in a more natural, informal form, depending on the desired aesthetic effect.
Mock orange (Murraya paniculata) Screening Plants
Murraya paniculata, also known as orange jessamine or mock orange, is a popular choice for a screening plant in Melbourne’s landscape due to its numerous advantages. This evergreen shrub is native to tropical and subtropical regions and is well-suited to Melbourne’s climate.
One of the main reasons this plant is favoured as a screening plant is its dense foliage. It features glossy, dark green leaves that grow closely together, forming a thick barrier that provides privacy and a shield against unwanted views. Another benefit of Murraya paniculata is its fragrant flowers. This plant produces clusters of small, white, star-shaped flowers in spring and summer with a delightful citrus scent that adds visual interest and contributes to a pleasant and aromatic outdoor environment.
It is important to note that Murraya paniculata can grow quite tall, reaching heights of 2-4 meters, so it is necessary to consider its potential size when planning its placement in a landscape. Proper spacing is crucial to ensure adequate airflow and prevent overcrowding.
Sweet Viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum)
Sweet viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum) is an excellent choice for a screening plant in various landscape settings, including Melbourne. This evergreen shrub is known for its lush foliage, attractive appearance and versatility, making it a popular option for creating privacy and adding beauty to outdoor spaces.
One of the critical benefits of sweet viburnum is its dense growth habit. It features large, glossy, dark green leaves that grow densely on its branches, forming a wide screen that effectively blocks views and provides privacy. During spring, the plant produces clusters of small, fragrant white flowers that create a delightful display and pollinators like bees and butterflies. Sweet viburnum can create a visual barrier, shielding the area from neighbouring properties or busy streets, whether used as a hedge or planted in rows.
When using sweet viburnum as a screening plant, it is essential to consider its growth habit. It can reach heights of 3 to 5 meters if left unpruned, so regular maintenance is recommended to control its size and shape. With proper maintenance and care, sweet viburnum can provide an attractive and functional screening solution for various landscape designs.
Frequently asked questions about Screening Plants
What is the fastest growing screening plant?
For a fast growing Australian native screening plant, we recommend Hakea salicifolia. Bamboo is a very fast growing screening plant, but some varieties can get out of hand. Look for a clumping variety like Chinese dwarf (Bambusa guangxiensis). Although it is a dwarf variety, it will still get to 3 metres rapidly. For instant screening, try bamboo in large pots.
Murraya Paniculata Screening Plants
Another fast growing screening plant is Murraya Paniculata.
These can also be grown in pots for instant privacy screening.
Swimming Pool Landscaping Design
One popular use for fast growing screening plants is for swimming pool landscaping design. People tend to prefer to make this part of the home garden as private as possible. Fast growing screening plants in pots can help with this aim. Another useful tool for garden designers is the use of 3D CAD to check the views into the garden so that the fast growing screening plants can be placed in the best positions to quickly screen out the neighbours.
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More information on Screening Plants
Better Homes and Gardens - Clumping Bamboo.
