Creating an outdoor sanctuary that ensures privacy while also contributing to the beauty of your garden is a priority for many homeowners. In this feature, we’ll explore the art and utility of planting screening—a method that not only adds aesthetic value to your outdoor spaces, but also serves practical purposes. From creating natural barriers to enhancing privacy, the right selection of plants can transform your garden into a secluded retreat. Here, we’ll delve into the types of plants that screen effectively, particularly focusing on species that thrive in the UK climate.
Understanding Screening Planting
Screening planting involves the strategic use of foliage to create privacy, block unwanted views, or serve as a windbreak. In the context of the UK, where gardens are often in close proximity to one another, plants that screen are invaluable. They offer a natural, eco-friendly solution compared to fences or walls, encouraging biodiversity while adding charm and character.
Key Considerations for Screening Plants
• Growth Habit and Speed: Opt for fast-growing species for quicker coverage, keeping in mind the maintenance they might require.
• Evergreen vs. Deciduous: Evergreen plants provide year-round privacy, while deciduous plants offer seasonal variation and can let in light during winter.
• Height and Spread: Understand the mature size of the plant to ensure it fits well in the available space without overwhelming it.
• Soil and Sunlight: Choose plants adaptable to your garden’s soil type and sunlight availability to ensure healthy growth.Recommended Plants for Screening in the UK
Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus): An evergreen shrub that grows quickly and provides dense coverage. Its large, glossy leaves are excellent for privacy screens.
Shop the Cherry Laurel Screening Plants
Bamboo (Phyllostachys): Ideal for, bamboo is a fast-growing option that adds height and texture. However, choose clumping varieties to avoid it becoming invasive.
The bamboo in this image below serves as an excellent screening plant. Bamboo screening plants are one of the most sought-after plants for screening due to their rapid growth rate and lush foliage, which can provide privacy quickly. This variety neatly contained within a wooden planter box, which is a practical approach to manage its spread and maintain a tidy appearance. The planter box also aids in containing the bamboo’s root system, which is particularly important because some species can be very invasive.
Bamboo Screening Plants – Image: Laurence Berger
Creating a Tranquil Outdoor Space with Green Bamboo Screening
In this beautifully designed garden setting, Phyllostachys bissetii (Green Bamboo) has been strategically used to create a natural privacy screen. The arrangement provides both structure and a sense of seclusion, making the space feel intimate and serene.
The bamboo is planted in a linear fashion, interspersed with sturdy wooden posts that add architectural interest while also supporting the vertical growth of the plants. This approach not only ensures a cohesive and modern aesthetic but also helps to keep the bamboo contained, preventing excessive spread.
One of the key benefits of using Phyllostachys bissetii is its dense, evergreen foliage, which offers year-round privacy. Its fast growth rate, up to 90cm per year, means that even newly planted specimens will quickly establish themselves, providing an effective screen in a short amount of time. The combination of lush green stems and delicate leaves creates a soft, natural backdrop that blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.
Adding to the charm of this setting, a variety of purple and blue flowering plants, such as lavender and geraniums, are planted at the base of the bamboo. This not only enhances the visual appeal with a vibrant contrast but also attracts pollinators, enriching the garden ecosystem. The choice of seating, a delicate metal bistro set, reinforces the tranquil, European-inspired atmosphere, making this an inviting spot to enjoy a morning coffee or unwind in the evening.
This design exemplifies how bamboo can be used creatively in landscaping, offering privacy without the need for solid fences or walls. By incorporating structural elements and complementary planting, the result is a harmonious, relaxing outdoor retreat that feels both enclosed and connected to nature.
Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus): A deciduous option that holds its dry leaves through much of winter, offering a different aesthetic. It’s adaptable to various soil types and can be trimmed to desired shapes.
Known for their dense, green foliage, hornbeam hedges are carefully maintained to create a tall, uniform barrier that provides both privacy and sound insulation—two hallmark benefits of screening with plants. In the UK, hornbeam is particularly favoured for this purpose due to its ability to respond well to clipping while retaining its structured shape, allowing for a neat and manicured appearance.
A striking example of hornbeam’s effectiveness as a screening plant is seen in the elevated hedge lining a stone wall. This planting technique showcases how hornbeam can be used in both formal and rustic landscapes, offering a layered privacy solution. The hedge sits atop the stone wall, enhancing height while maintaining a natural yet structured look. This approach is especially beneficial for gardens that require additional screening from roads or neighbouring properties without the need for solid fencing.
Additionally, hornbeam can be sculpted into ornamental forms, as demonstrated by the meticulously shaped cone-like hornbeam trees in the image below These trees, carefully pruned to maintain their striking silhouettes, illustrate how hornbeam can serve a dual purpose—functioning as a privacy screen while also adding strong architectural interest to the garden. The combination of geometric topiary and a traditional hedge creates a visually engaging contrast, balancing structure with natural greenery.
Leyland Cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii): A popular choice for quick growth and tall screens. It requires regular maintenance to keep in check but offers excellent coverage.
In this verdant garden below, the Leyland Cypress is used as a hedge for screening along the garden’s boundary. This evergreen is a popular choice for privacy screens due to its dense foliage and fast growth rate, which makes it excellent for creating tall hedges that can block sightlines effectively.
The Leyland Cypress is trimmed and maintained to form a uniform and thick barrier, demonstrating its versatility in being sculpted to fit the aesthetic of a garden while serving its purpose. Its height, which surpasses that of the other plants in the garden, provides a solid green backdrop that enhances the privacy of the space.
Using Leyland Cypress for screening in UK gardens is common because it adapts well to various soil conditions and climates, providing year-round privacy and noise reduction. It’s evident here that the Leyland Cypress is integral to the garden’s design, offering not just function but also contributing to the overall beauty and structure of the landscape.
Holly as an Evergreen Screening Plant
Holly (Ilex aquifolium) is a versatile and hardy evergreen screening plant, offering year-round privacy with its dense, glossy foliage. Its distinctive prickly leaves make it an excellent deterrent against unwanted access while providing a lush green barrier that remains intact even in winter. Unlike fast-growing hedges that require frequent maintenance, holly has a slow growth rate, typically adding only 10cm per year, making it an ideal low-maintenance option for structured garden designs.
The English holly hedge here, demonstrates its effectiveness as a screening plant in a raised bed, where it has been carefully cultivated to form a thick, uniform barrier. The planting approach atop a tiered stone wall enhances height, providing additional privacy without requiring excessive width, making it well-suited for narrow spaces or boundary walls. The glossy, deep green foliage adds a rich texture to the landscape, while the plants natural resilience makes it highly adaptable to various soil types and sun exposures.
In addition to privacy, holly brings seasonal interest to the garden, with bright red berries appearing in autumn and winter, which not only add colour but also attract wildlife, particularly birds. This makes holly an excellent choice for those looking to create a biodiverse garden with natural screening benefits.
For gardens requiring structured, evergreen coverage, holly screening plants can be shaped into formal hedging or left to grow naturally, offering flexibility in design. Whether used as a low hedge, a tall privacy screen, or even mixed with other screening plants, holly provides aesthetic appeal, security, and year-round greenery, making it a valuable addition to any landscape.
Photinia ‘Red Robin’: Known for its vibrant red young leaves that turn green with age, this evergreen shrub can create a colourful screen.
Shop the Red Robin Screening Plants
Implementing Your Screening
When planting for screening, consider the mature size of the plants and space them accordingly to prevent overcrowding. Incorporate a mix of species for biodiversity and year-round interest. Maintenance, such as pruning, will keep your screen looking tidy and encourage denser growth.
Screening planting is a sustainable way to enhance privacy and beauty in your garden. By selecting the right plants that thrive in the UK climate, you can create a living barrier that complements your landscape design. Whether you’re looking for fast growth, low maintenance, or year-round greenery, there’s a screening plant suitable for every need and garden style.
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FAQ’s
What is the fastest-growing plant for privacy screens?
Leyland cypress (Cuprocyparis leylandii) is one of the fastest-growing screening plants, capable of growing up to 90cm per year. Bamboo (Phyllostachys bissetii) is another excellent choice, growing rapidly while providing dense foliage for privacy.
What are the best screening plants?
The best screening plants depend on the desired effect. For evergreen coverage, options like Leyland cypress, Cherry laurel, and Holly provide year-round privacy. For seasonal interest, Photinia – Red Robin, and Hornbeam offer stunning foliage changes throughout the year.
What plant is best for blocking neighbours?
Tall, dense screening plants like Leyland cypress, Bamboo, and Holly are ideal for blocking neighbours as they create a solid natural barrier. Hornbeam hedging is also a great choice, especially for those looking for a structured yet natural-looking privacy screen.
What are the best evergreen plants for screening in the UK?
Popular evergreen screening plants in the UK include Cherry laurel, Leyland cypress, English Holly, and Photinia – Red Robin. These plants provide year-round coverage and thrive in the UK’s climate.
What plants are good for year-round privacy?
For continuous privacy throughout the seasons, opt for evergreens like Holly, Cherry laurel, and Leyland cypress. Hornbeam is a deciduous option that retains its brown leaves through winter, ensuring some level of privacy all year.
What is the best plant to use as a screen?
The best screening plant depends on factors like growth rate, maintenance, and aesthetics. Leyland cypress is ideal for fast-growing privacy, while Holly and Hornbeam provide a classic, structured look. Bamboo offers a modern, architectural feel, making it perfect for contemporary garden designs.