The heart of my urban garden is completely secluded from onlookers, which was one of the primary goals when constructing it. Most people don’t know that it’s even there until they are invited in. Short of installing a tall, imposing fence, you can achieve this kind of screening through a combination of structures and plant placement.
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3 Ways to Create Privacy without a Fence
1. Arbors Draped in Vines Can Create a Nearly Impenetrable Screen
An arbor toward the middle of the garden is connected by a lintel beam to the side of the house. This structure provides the largest source of privacy in my garden. It’s draped in thick vines that are allowed to intertwine and largely run wild.
2. Trees and Shrubs Placed in Strategic Sight Lines Create the Next Level of Shielding
The front of the garden sports some larger trees and shrubs such as beautybush (Kolkwitzia amabilis, Zones 4–8) and hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9) that, when in leaf, ensure the street and the neighbors are not visible from the heart of the garden. But even during winter, evergreens such as Japanese white pines (Pinus parviflora, Zones 5–7) provide screening.
3. Sometimes, Privacy Is Relative
I chose not to create a barrier between my patio with the outdoor couch and my neighbors’ abutting windows because the space is so narrow that it felt rude (above). An inclusive attitude prevailed, and I decided that I wanted them to be able to enjoy the garden as I do. However, my back porch is screened off with a combination of containers, window boxes, and vines to provide a bit more seclusion.