Creating Privacy in the Garden
By Sheree Rasmussen, AOCA — Inside and Out Garden Design
One of the challenges facing urban dwellers today is creating a sense of privacy and enclosure in outdoor spaces without feeling closed in and without offending neighbors. After a hard day out there in the urban chaos we often need to relax, rejuvenate and not have to relate to anyone. The days of complete openness, with just a waist high chain link fence between properties, is gone for good or bad, with most often a 2 metre high pressure treated cookie cutter wood barrier in its place. But there are other solutions than the wooden playpen- ways to feel secluded but not cut off.
1. The first thing to consider is the fencing. Cedar is more natural than pressure treated wood, and ages beautifully. Willow fencing is becoming popular and has a much more “organic” look. Horizontal boards, rather than vertical, increase the sense of space in the garden, rather than chopping it up. Vary the heights according to the views and the overall design. A curved trellis can create a focal point, distracting from unwanted views beyond and breaking up the straight lines of the fence. Instead of fencing all the way around, consider areas of “green fence”, with cedars or other evergreens, not necessarily in a straight line, but grouped in clumps.
2. Find the best place to sit in the garden. Traditionally the patio or sitting area is right up at the house. This may be the most practical solution (not having to walk too far from the kitchen with your martini), but are there other options? Consider pulling the sitting area far enough from the house to create some planting beds between. That way you can surround yourself in greenery, rather than feeling jammed up against a brick wall. What about a sitting area elsewhere in the garden? If you take a chair and just experiment with sitting in different spots in the garden, considering the views, and the feeling you have, you’ll be surprised. There’s usually a great little area somewhere you hadn’t thought of where you can put a table or bench and make it really private.
3. Use trellises to block unsightly views. If you’re tired of looking at the neighbor’s laundry on the line or staring right into their kitchen window, a decorative trellis, solidly built and well placed can be very useful. If you’re building it within your property line the 2 metre high rule doesn’t apply, and you can make it much higher, though it’s usually best to consult with your neighbour first. Even if what you’re trying to obscure is higher than the trellis, it will work anyway. Having something attractive in the foreground takes the focus and attention off what’s in the background.
4. Plant as much greenery as possible. The traditional lawn with a few shrubs around the sides is being replaced with ground covers, shrubs, and pathways of flagstone or bark chips. If you have grass yard now, you might want to keep some of it, but re-think how much flat surface you really need. Obviously with kids and dogs you need area to kick the ball around, but otherwise you could replace much of it with low maintenance ground covers, shrubs and trees. This allows your privacy creating elements to be elsewhere than simply on the perimeter of the garden. When planting for privacy, consider what heights you need. For ex. If there’s a huge apartment building behind you, planting a fast growing deciduous tree that will eventually have a high, and extensive crown, might be your best bet. For privacy around your sitting area, some mid-size shrubs can do the trick. And if you want to look out your window in the winter, and just see green, rather than buildings, plant some mid to large size evergreens.
5. For acoustic privacy, the bulk and density of evergreens such as cedar, junipers and hemlock is very effective, as is a water feature or pond. Whether it’s a full scale pond and waterfall or just a small bowl or wall mounted feature, the soothing natural rhythms of moving water can mask and distract from all kinds of nerve jangling noise- the neighbor’s air conditioner, the busy street- even the general hum of the city.
Remember that good fences make good neighbours. All of these solutions can enhance their garden as much as your own. Be sensitive to their needs for sun and to the view from their side, and you’ll be able to live side by side in harmony.