Creating Privacy in Your Landscape

Have you ever felt like you can see more of your neighbor’s house or their belongings than you would like or you wish your yard was more private? Well, you’re not alone. Privacy screening is one of the most sought after landscaping elements. Through the use of plantings, non-transparent fences or
walls, unsightly neighboring items can be selectively hidden. In addition the use of screening materials creates a private, intimate space for your family to enjoy. Another use of these screening materials is to provide the perfect background for unique foreground plants.

Fence, raised stone wall, plantings and hanging plants provide another use of privacy screening materials to provide the perfect background, Sheldon Landscape Company Lake Geneva

A combination of at least two types of screens usually works best for both functionality and aesthetics. Since fence heights are most often limited to four to six feet high by the local municipality, the addition of taller trees can not only help screen the views above the fence, but also help soften it. Consideration should be given if year-round privacy is desired. 

Evergreen Trees on both sides of property line create privacy in this Lake Geneva Landscape by Sheldon Landscape Company

If it is important to have screening in the winter, evergreens should be used instead of deciduous plants which drop their leaves in the fall. As always, with good design, all things must be taken into consideration.  It is important not to just create a solid wall that may look out of place, but rather to integrate it into the overall landscape scheme to provide balance and harmony.