A garden loses much of its charm when you feel watched. To hide a neighbor’s overlooking window or to isolate yourself from the street, planting trees remains the most aesthetic solution. Unlike a simple wall, plants refresh the air and change with the seasons. However, to truly block the view all year round, you must choose the right species.
Choosing evergreen foliage to block the view all year round
A common mistake is falling for a beautiful spring bloom while forgetting that the tree will end up bare once winter arrives. To protect your privacy in December as well as in July, evergreen foliage is the basic rule.
A dense line of trees also offers a second advantage: it muffles some of the noise from the street or the neighborhood, making the garden much quieter.
Leyland Cypress: the quick-fix solution
If you need a hedge quickly, the Leyland Cypress grows by about one meter per year under good conditions. Its dense foliage quickly forms a complete screen, and it is easily pruned to adjust its height or thickness.
The downside is precisely this vigor. Plan for at least two prunings per year to prevent it from becoming invasive or thinning out at the base.
Cherry Laurel: massive and robust
Cherry Laurel (or laurel-cherry) allows for the creation of particularly dense hedges. Its large, thick leaves completely block the view. It is a hardy shrub that grows almost anywhere, even in shaded areas.
To plant it correctly:
- Space the plants about 80 cm apart to obtain a compact line.
- Prune it with shears instead: hedge trimmers tend to shred its large leaves, which causes the edges to turn brown.
- Water regularly for the first two years while the roots establish themselves.
Photinia to break the monotony of a green hedge
If a long, entirely green wall bores you, consider the photinia (often the “Red Robin” variety). Its young shoots emerge bright red in the spring before gradually darkening during the season.
Without heavy pruning, the shrub easily reaches 3 or 4 meters in height. It requires less maintenance than a cypress, is disease-resistant, and hides the view from neighbors very well, whether planted alone or as a continuous hedge.
Non-invasive bamboos for small spaces
Bamboo grows fast and straight, taking up very little ground space. This is practical in the city or in a small garden, for example, to hide the view from a high balcony.
Be careful with the root system, however: always choose so-called “non-invasive” varieties (such as Fargesia). These grow in clumps instead of invading and destroying your entire plot in a few years.
Combining plants with a rigid fence
Planting trees is an excellent thing, but nature takes its time. If you do not want to wait three years to swim or eat outside away from prying eyes, the best approach is to combine plants with an existing structure.
Installing a rigid mesh fence equipped with privacy slats immediately blocks the view. Your shrubs can then grow at their own pace right in front. At Districlos, we offer rigid panels and privacy systems designed to integrate discreetly into this type of layout. The hedge provides the natural touch, while the fence ensures immediate privacy and site security.
Expert in fencing, gates, and outdoor landscaping since 2019.
Holds a Master’s degree in Digital Marketing – SEO, UX/UI.
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