Privacy Landscaping for Small Yards

Thousands of Americans daydream about the moment they’ll get to relax in their own backyard after a hectic and busy day. After all, there is no better way to chill out than sipping on a glass of cool lemonade at the end of the day in the comfort and privacy of your own yard.
 
But privacy is something hard to come by these days for many reasons, starting from nosy neighbors to small children who are interested in almost everything in the world. While fencing is a very good option, many homeowners don’t like it as it contrasts negatively with a properly landscaped garden or yard.
 
Privacy landscaping is a recent trend that has been on the rise for the last few years. Instead of creating an artificial barrier for privacy, elements of landscaping are used to create a natural barrier or wall for small and large yards. If you’re a homeowner living in a crowded neighborhood or postage stamp yard, here are a couple of the best privacy landscaping techniques for small yards.

Fence Trellis
A very popular privacy landscaping option in suburban areas all around the world, a fence trellis is a structure that incorporates creepers and plants in its design. Thanks to the addition of this vegetation, this landscaping barrier achieves a more organic look. A trellis is definitely a more appealing option than a simple fence.
 
Pros

• Hundreds of plants and shrubs to choose from to customize your fence trellis.
• The size of the trellis can be tailored to your requirements.

 
Cons

• Has to be trimmed and maintained frequently, requiring a good landscaper or landscaping skills to maintain.
• Depending on the plants and flowers chosen, a fence trellis can be very expensive.

 
Tiered Planting
Tiered planting is an excellent way to create a natural wall without spending extra on fences. In this privacy landscaping process, a landscaper plants trees and plants in a measured manner layer by layer, starting from small bushes and shrubs and ending with tall trees. This method greatly helps to declutter small yards.
 
Pros

• The yard is naturally beautified as plants bloom all around the year.

 
Cons

• Requires a lot of effort to maintain
• Hiring a professional landscaper is highly advised as the ecosystem of the plants could falter with the slightest mistake.

Bamboo Fencing
Planting one of the fastest growing plants in nature to form a natural wall is one of the cheapest and most effective ways of implementing privacy landscaping. Not only can they be grown from scratch, but bamboo plants as tall as 30 feet can be purchased and planted directly in your yard.
 
Pros

• Fast growth rate and long lasting.
• Excellent natural alternative compared to wooden and other fences.

 
Cons

• Bamboo can spread quickly, so if you don’t keep up with it, you could end up with an overgrowth.
• Bamboo plants are climate sensitive so you need to find the right type to suit the environment of where you live.

Vertical Garden Beds
This privacy landscaping method can be considered a variation of the fence trellis. Instead of leaving parts of the fence exposed. Vertical garden beds are dense layers of flowers, creepers, and vines that grow vertically on fences without leaving any gaps. This provides a better visual aesthetic than a fence trellis if done properly.
 
Pros

• The plants for vertical garden beds are often affordable and inexpensive with a few exceptions.
• An excellent option if you’re residence is rented instead of being owned by you.

 
Cons

• Vertical garden beds require constant maintenance.
• The fence or wall structure can be damaged if the wrong plants are used.

 

Raised Garden Beds
An excellent alternative to vertical beds, raised garden beds also provide excellent privacy and cover for small yards. For integrating a raised garden bed, a tall frame with a roof has to be made first. The plants and shrubs flow down like curtains from the supporting room structure.
 
Pros

• Allows for gardening which can be easily accommodated with containers.
• Planting fruits and vegetables can make the process of this privacy landscaping inexpensive.

 
Cons

• The fruit and vegetable plants can easily attract garden rodents like groundhogs.
• It may take more space to setup, which may be a constriction for small yards.

 
Now that you have a good idea about the most common and popular privacy landscaping methods, hopefully you’ll have an easier time deciding on one that fits your budget and taste.
 
If you’re settled on one of them or want professional consultation, just give us a call at 281-516-1600. Our professional landscapers with years of experience at Outdoor Perfection Landscaping will help you find the best fit for both your yard and your budget.