Something to plant in a container outside windows for privacy/screening

[bonvivant]

Hi, a small window on the side of my house is quite close to the street. Although there is some planting, it still feels a bit exposed and I can see people walking past quite close to the house.

There is a narrow border that has gravel to the side of my house, so ideal to put a plant in a container.

Any suggestions for a plant that might do the trick. I'd say it would have to be approx 4ft tall.

Cheers!

How about bamboo (although it'll be a bit taller than 4ft)? It's dense enough to be a good screen but not so dense that it will block out all light, and if it's in a pot you don't need to worry about it spreading and being invasive. It makes a nice swishy sound in the breeze, too.

Hmm I'm using bamboo myself but it's very expensive so I bought a small plant and am waiting for it to grow! I also have a tall narrow conifer in a pot.

We have a few photinias Red Robin in pots outside our window for screening purposes. They have lovely leaves (beautiful at the moment) and are evergreen. They also don't need much maintenance!

We found it best to buy them at about a metre high (£30 where we live) and then you don't have long to wait before they "fill" the window.