Smart design solutions
Screen out neighbours’ prying eyes with these easy designer ideas to enjoy a more PRIVATE PLOT
SCREEN OVERHEAD VIEWS WITH PARASOL TREES
These London plane trees, as seen in the Liz Earle Botanical Garden at BBC Gardener’s World Live 2023, designed by Lucy Bravington (lucybravington.com), have had their lower branches removed over several seasons to promote a tall bare trunk. The upper foliage joins together to create a dense canopy, which any neighbours would be hard-pressed to see through. Plane trees grow too quickly for small gardens, but you can get the same effect with a parasol tree, which has been trained over a frame to create a horizontal canopy. Head to hedgeworx.co.uk where you can see a wide range of varieties trained into parasol trees.
INSTALL GROUPS OF ANGLED POLES
Viewed from one angle, these groups of open posts just look like a garden sculpture. But viewed from a different spot, they form a full wall, doing a great job of blocking views where it matters, without enclosing the garden. They formed part of the America’s Wild garden, designed by Inspired Earth Design (inspiredearthdesign.co.uk) at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2023. Get the look by erecting a series of narrow wooden planks at angles, painted or preserved before installation.
STAGGER TROUGH PLANTERS TO CREATE A NOOK
What we love about The Folio Society’s Reading Room Garden, designed by Katherine Holland (katherine-holland.co.uk) for RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023, is the clever arrangement of the tall slimline planters filled with an array of different height trees, shrubs and flowers to block out any views on all sides. If you want to plant up small trees or big shrubs, go for the tallest planter you can to allow enough room for their roots to develop and flourish. Try the Idealist Tall Narrow Trough Planter, H72cm x L60.5cm x W22.5cm, £143.99 diy.com
Extend your summer SPECIAL
The majority of suburban back gardens are overlooked, whether it’s from the back or on one or both sides. And while you might be on great terms with your neighbours, there comes a time when you just want to be outside without feeling you’re constantly on show.
A pergola cloaked in climbers is the go-to solution but if you fancy something different, or want additional privacy, then there are lots of marvellously modern alternatives. Steal a trick or two from these designer gardens and create an oh-so secluded seating space, no nosy neighbours allowed!
NESTLE A BENCH UP AGAINST YOUR BOUNDARY
The closer you position seating to a boundary, the less likely it is
