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Original poster

Lack of Privacy in Garden

43 replies

Aquarius1234 · 27/09/2024 12:40

I don't like my garden, lack of privacy overlooked, terrace house.
Any ideas how to improve it ?
I hardly spend time in it or make it nicer for this reason.

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OnYourTogs · 27/09/2024 22:13

Aquarius1234 · 27/09/2024 13:01

There you go..

Someone would have to go upstairs in their house, and stand at an upstairs window looking out?

minipie · 27/09/2024 21:55

Prettyredflowers · 27/09/2024 16:42

There is a variety of pear that would work perfectly. Doesn't get bushy, looks great and has blossom briefly in spring. I don't remember the name but my garden designer referred to them as 'car park pears' as they work well in public/ commercial settings as they don't bush out far.

This is the Chanticleer pear I believe

Prettyredflowers · 27/09/2024 16:42

There is a variety of pear that would work perfectly. Doesn't get bushy, looks great and has blossom briefly in spring. I don't remember the name but my garden designer referred to them as 'car park pears' as they work well in public/ commercial settings as they don't bush out far.

BlueEyes90 · 27/09/2024 16:20

parietal · 27/09/2024 15:52

don't put in a eucalyptus - it will grow far to big.

go for a cherry tree or a crabapple tree - both are pretty in spring, look after themselves and won't grow too massive.

You can prune back trees so they don’t get too big 😉

Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 27/09/2024 16:08

PrimalLass · 27/09/2024 16:06

We have a flagpole cherry - but it's quite big now. The blossom is glorious but lasts all of a week.

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Ha yeh I get that with one of the bushes, nice for about a week.

OP posts:
PrimalLass · 27/09/2024 16:06

Aquarius1234 · 27/09/2024 15:27

Yes like the Flagpole Cherry, not that keen on the Italian Cypress. Bit meh looking.
Like the Bamboo.

Edited

We have a flagpole cherry - but it's quite big now. The blossom is glorious but lasts all of a week.

PrimalLass · 27/09/2024 16:04

You could just put some tall trellis at the end of the patio and grow a climber up it.

parietal · 27/09/2024 15:52

don't put in a eucalyptus - it will grow far to big.

go for a cherry tree or a crabapple tree - both are pretty in spring, look after themselves and won't grow too massive.

BlueEyes90 · 27/09/2024 15:42

What about a eucalyptus gunnii in the corner by the shed? We put ours in as a small plant and how it’s huge, grown so quick in the last couple of years!

Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 27/09/2024 15:35

Yes I was going to get an awning few months ago, then couldn't decide which one, I guess I would rather save and spend more on a better and longer one.
So many had the flap bit on the end that just gets wet and ruined,.
( no I doubt I would put it away during winter).
Ended up spending money on a outside low chair and foot stall with cushions, yet to be used. only had it few weeks. (sale)

OP posts:
minipie · 27/09/2024 15:33

Aquarius1234 · 27/09/2024 15:02

Ok nice ideas.
Regarding the tree. So it would be close to the the back gate and fence but with enough space to use the back gate and shed from time to time. And not grow into the fence or someone's property.?

And hopefully not annoy neighbours. I don't wanna cause issues. Esp to the left side next door. Awkward.
Oh and would those trees be around the same height as the back houses that can be seen on different street.?

Edited
Show quote history

If you plant it right by the fence then yes branches will end up overhanging neighbours. But they are allowed to prune off any bits which overhang. They might be grateful as will give them more privacy too!

Or you can plant further away from fence to avoid overhanging. But takes up more of your garden space.

The trees wouldn’t be as tall as the houses but would look as tall when seen from your house/patio if that makes sense.

StrawberrySquash · 27/09/2024 15:32

Don't plant a big tree at the bottom unless you actually want the tree/shade etc. Will depend on where the sun it.

Instead to get privacy near the house, chop the garden in two across the middle and put in some low trellis. Third will hide the house opposite while not filling the garden with a tall tree. Having sections will make the garden more interesting too

Cheesyfootballs01 · 27/09/2024 15:29

If you want the patio to be sheltered/private then just get a gazebo? Or an awning you can attach to the wall.

Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 27/09/2024 15:27

Yes like the Flagpole Cherry, not that keen on the Italian Cypress. Bit meh looking.
Like the Bamboo.

OP posts:
Gettingbysomehow · 27/09/2024 15:16

These trees are particularly good in small gardens.
Italian Cypress the pencil variety and flagpole cherry which never gets wider than this and looks fantastic in spring. I have to trim the hornmeams lower branches off up to about 6 feet or it gets a bit too wide.

Lack of Privacy in Garden
Lack of Privacy in Garden
Gettingbysomehow · 27/09/2024 15:05

No I can't be seen at all on my patio. It's an upright growing hornbeam. You can also get pencil Italian cypress that grow tall but not wide, they are so narrow, you could probably get 2 into that space. I also have a beautiful flagpole cherry that grows tall and thin.

Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 27/09/2024 15:02

minipie · 27/09/2024 14:47

You want a tree at the bottom left corner and perhaps another in that area on the left where the bushes.

Evergreen best if you want year round privacy. Some good not too big evergreen options:

Magnolia Grandiflora - flowering

Olive tree - delicate, good for near the house

Palms - if you like the tropical look

Photinia, Ilex, pittosporum, privet - look for ones pruned to lollipop shape as these are naturally bush shape

If you don’t mind deciduous there are loads more options - ornamental apple/cherry/pear trees are great for this and bring lovely blossom. Fig is very fast growing. Amelanchier. Sorbus or other rowan. Birch.

Paramount plants is a good website to help you see prices and narrow down options.

Our garden is smaller than yours and much more overlooked (3 storey terraced houses right behind) but feels quite private thanks to all the small trees we and neighbours have planted.

Ok nice ideas.
Regarding the tree. So it would be close to the the back gate and fence but with enough space to use the back gate and shed from time to time. And not grow into the fence or someone's property.?

And hopefully not annoy neighbours. I don't wanna cause issues. Esp to the left side next door. Awkward.
Oh and would those trees be around the same height as the back houses that can be seen on different street.?

OP posts:
Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 27/09/2024 14:53

jeaux90 · 27/09/2024 14:16

@Aquarius1234 nope, trimmed them once in the four years I've had them

Do you have to trim those much?

Cool look good.

OP posts:
User19876536484 · 27/09/2024 14:51

That doesn’t look any more overlooked than most gardens.

Perhaps buy a bigger shed, and sit in it.

minipie · 27/09/2024 14:47

You want a tree at the bottom left corner and perhaps another in that area on the left where the bushes.

Evergreen best if you want year round privacy. Some good not too big evergreen options:

Magnolia Grandiflora - flowering

Olive tree - delicate, good for near the house

Palms - if you like the tropical look

Photinia, Ilex, pittosporum, privet - look for ones pruned to lollipop shape as these are naturally bush shape

If you don’t mind deciduous there are loads more options - ornamental apple/cherry/pear trees are great for this and bring lovely blossom. Fig is very fast growing. Amelanchier. Sorbus or other rowan. Birch.

Paramount plants is a good website to help you see prices and narrow down options.

Our garden is smaller than yours and much more overlooked (3 storey terraced houses right behind) but feels quite private thanks to all the small trees we and neighbours have planted.

Snoken · 27/09/2024 14:21

Maybe get a pergonal and some climbing plants like jasmin, passion fruit or something for the seating area.

jeaux90 · 27/09/2024 14:16

@Aquarius1234 nope, trimmed them once in the four years I've had them

WorriedRelative · 27/09/2024 14:15

It looks an entirely normal garden and not unusually lacking privacy. Just use it. No one is going to be spending time watching you unless you are doing something really exciting!

sonofrageandlove · 27/09/2024 14:14

Pleached trees are very expensive

Testingthetimes · 27/09/2024 14:11

Hi OP.
I think you need some evergreen trees.
you can get ‘pleached’ ones - like in this pic.
they are not cheap though. And are on these frames so depends how you feel about that. At first they don’t look as great but once they grow obviously look better. They have clear stems and you can get ones with a 2m clear stem so they take up less space om garden.
you can get half standard trees which have a 2m single clear stem too.

Lack of Privacy in Garden