Gardening guru reveals six plants that add privacy in a ‘subtle way’ – they will bring colour for spring too

IF you're enjoying the good weather in your garden but wishing you had more privacy, there's a simple solution.

Green-fingered experts revealed the six plants you can add to your outdoor space to block out nosy neighbours and add a splash of colour.

While hedges are often used to create a natural border for your garden, you can brighten things up with these suggestions.

Luke Dejahang, who works as a director at Crown Pavilions, spoke to the Express about his go-to hack for elevating privacy in your garden.

According to the gardening expert, the “key” to adding privacy to your outdoor space is using plants is to create “layers”.

He suggested starting growing plants in your garden to create natural barriers from your neighbours.

Luke named two plants which he personally recommends for this task.

“Clematis or wisteria will grow and wind up the sides of the pergola, although reaching full height may take a year or two due to the plant growing around three metres per year,” he said.

“But with time, the plant growth will reach the roof of the pergola.

“This will fill in the gaps, adding privacy so that your neighbours can't see directly down into the pergola where you may be sitting.”

Peter Mortin, who works as a gardening expert at Crane Garden Buildings, recommended using shrubs, evergreen plants, and climbing plants to your space.

He explained that these options provide a “natural and subtle way of adding privacy to your garden space”.

According to the pro, hydrangeas and hibiscus plants make ideal privacy shrubs.

“The hibiscus not only grows to great heights, but it is also a flowering plant so will provide visual interest to the garden alongside that feeling of security,” he explained.

“These shrubs can be planted around the edges of your garden, but it is best to leave a gap between the plant and any fences, especially if you are incorporating hydrangeas into the display.”

Peter revealed this is because they are “exceptionally leafy and can grow quite large width-ways”.

He also broke down the best buys to create evergreen screens in your garden.

8 must-have plants to brighten up your garden

Nick Hamilton owner of Barnsdale Gardens has shared his favourite plants and flowers you should consider adding to your garden, borders and pots.

Tricyrtis

A spectacular plant that gives a real exotic feel to any garden with its orchid-like, spotted flowers giving the impression that this plant should be tender but it is “as tough as old boots!”;.

Penstemon

I love this plants genus of because most will flower all summer and autumn. They’ll grow in sun or semi-shade in a well drained soil and produce a non-stop display of tubular flowers in an array of colours and colour combination to suit all tastes.

Luzula sylvatica ‘Marginata’

With the evergreen leaves edged with yellow it’s great asset is that it
will grow in sun or shade in any type of soil and is great as groundcover in the hardest spot to fill – dry shade.

Eryngium x zabelii ‘Big Blue’

A stunning, nectar-rich plant that will feed the beneficial insects in your
garden. Leave the flowerheads once they have turned brown because they look stunning with winter frost and snow, extending the plant’s interest period.

Sarcococca hookeriana ‘Winter Gem’

If you need winter scent then look no further than this compact, evergreen shrub. The scent is stunning and the evergreen leaves create an excellent backdrop for the summer flowers.

Cornus sanguinea ‘Anny’s Winter Orange’

A dwarf version of ‘Midwinter Fire’ the very colourful stems create a stunning winter display, particularly on sunny days.

Rosa ‘Noisette Carnee’

A very well-behaved climbing rose that is perfect for training over an arch, pergola or gazebo. The small, “noisette”; flowers are blush-pink and produce the most amazing clove scent constantly from June to November.

Sanguisorba hakusanensis ‘Lilac Squirrel’

I’ve never seen a squirrel with a drooping, shaggy lilac tail, but this variety will give your garden an unusual and different look throughout summer. It does need a moisture retentive soil but will grow in sun or semi-shade.

He described Cherry laurel and Bay laurel as “great choices for privacy”.

However, make sure to measure out your space before you go planting your natural privacy screen.

“When planting them, it is best to leave a gap of around one metre between the spot and any fences,” Peter said.

“If you are creating a full hedge for ultimate security, you should leave around three feet between each plant to give them enough space to grow properly.”