Investing in a beautiful garden should mean that you can enjoy the landscape without views into your neighbour's home, overlooking windows or unappealing scenery.
Our '9 Ways To Screen Your Neighbour' will provide you with the most popular methods that New Zealanders are using to add privacy to their garden. Ranging from natural to hardscaping materials, this blog will cover options to suit all needs.
Pleached Trees
Pleached trees are an excellent way of screening your neighbours whilst also softening your landscape. Pleached (or standard) trees describes when the lower branches have been removed to expose the trunk, keeping the foliage up the top - lollipop style.
They are perfect if you have a small or narrow space, in which a typical hedge may be too wide. They complement both contemporary and formal garden styles and are available in many options.
High fencing or concrete walls can make certain spaces feel confined and boxed in, which makes pleached trees an ideal option that suits many gardens. The great thing about a pleached hedge is that you can make use of the underneath space for additional planting.
"Courtyard Oasis"
Designed & Planted by Sculpt Gardens.
Fencing
Fencing is a simple & relatively cheap way to add privacy to your garden without the need for trees or tall planting. In New Zealand, you can usually build a fence up to 2m in height without needing consent from your local council.
Be conscious of your neighbours and ensure you have spoken to them before installing any fences on their boundaries. The NZ Fencing Act covers any information you may need to check before you begin planning. Also, be wary that fencing may block sunlight and harden the appearance of your space.
There are a few options for fencing to consider, such as wood or vinyl. Our free guide "Your Guide To Fencing: Different Types & Costs" covers the most popular choices for fencing in NZ, what they are used for and how much you can expect to pay.
Black-stained fencing screens the neighbours. Also featured are tall Titoki trees, and wiring for Star Jasmine to soften the hardscaping and create lushness.
Designed & Planted by Sculpt Gardens.
Layers of Planting
Planting in layers adds screening whilst also adding interest and visual appeal. Ensure you allow enough garden bed depth when designing to allow each layer to establish and grow. Most trees need width to grow tall.
Include a variety of heights, shapes and textures. Taller plants will be positioned at the back, with low-growing shrubs positioned near the front. If you are planting in a full sun area, keep in mind when planning that taller plants may end up shading other plants once established.
'A Garden For Birds & Bees'.
Designed by Sculpt Gardens.
Well Positioned Trees
Trees are a great way to screen your neighbours, as the more they bush out the more they provide coverage. Well-positioned trees can be used as an alternative to hedging and remove the need for tall fencing all around your boundary.
A feature tree, or the strategic placement of a few evergreen trees may be all you need to screen out an undesirable view.
There are many beautiful native trees that you can incorporate into your garden, as well as many exotics that grow well in Auckland, New Zealand.
Prunus campanulata 'Pink Cloud' strategically placed to add privacy for windows.
Designed, Planted & Maintained by Sculpt Gardens.
Pergolas & Structures
Pergolas, louvres, and canopy structures are growing in popularity as they are ideal for most garden styles and sizes. There are many companies and options to choose from, as well as the option for a custom-built structure.
These make for a great screening solution as they are practical, protecting you from the elements of wind, rain and sun.
Outdoor structures are excellent for encouraging you and your family to spend more time outside and make for ideal dining, barbequing, fireplace or lounging areas.
You can find all the pergola & gazebo regulations on Spa World.
Climbers such as Wisteria and Grapevines can be trained to grow over structures to add greenery, aesthetic appeal and more coverage.
Louvre pictured from NZ Louvres.
Tall Hedges
Hedges add beautiful greenery to your landscape and provide complete privacy and coverage. They do however need maintenance to keep them controlled and in shape.
Tall fast growing hedging options we use frequently are:
Ficus tuffy when heights up to 3m are required
Syzygium australe 'Resilience' for 3m+
Pittosporum karo or Stephens Island in coastal locations
Upkeeping your hedges may include feeding, treating for diseases/insects and trimming. Choosing hedging that is best suited to your location and environment will reduce the susceptibility of your hedge to pests and diseases.
Auckland is our home, so we know the soil like our own backyard (in fact, it is!). We can design your garden and the perfect screening option. If you are interested in our landscape design services, please enquire here.
Ficus Tuffy, planted on the left, is used to screen neighbours from the pool and lounging area.
Designed & Planted by Sculpt Gardens.
A Living Wall
Ranging from trained climbers to vertical planting, a living wall is a great option for adding greenery and privacy to many gardens, including those that are small or narrow.
These are an easy and stunning way of screening your neighbours. There are many options that grow well here in Auckland and throughout New Zealand. These include natives such as Muhlenbeckia complexa, Tecamanthe speciosa, and Clematis Paniculata. Exotic climbers that grow well in Auckland include varieties such as Trachelospermum jasminoides, Bougainvillea Glabra, Vinca Blue, Wisteria, Mandevillea, Hardenbergia, Passionfruit and Grapefruit vines.
Ensure you install wiring or framing to train your plant to grow upright and spread.
Bougainvillea trained with wiring to grow up and over a wall.
Decorative Panels
Decorative panels are a rising trend that offers an alternative to traditional fencing.
A popular option that we incorporate in some of our designs is corten steel. This is an ideal solution for many gardens due to its strength, durability, practicality and aesthetics. Many styles and designs are available from Tiny Anvil, as well as the choice to customise.
Slatted timber was used to screen a tropical entrance.
Designed, Planted & Maintained by Sculpt Gardens.
Having nosy neighbours & feeling exposed in your own garden can be frustrating. We hope that a few of these options, give you ways to maintain your own privacy. We are always happy to pop over to give advice & solutions in our garden consultations. Email us HERE to book an appointment.
