How to Choose the Best Garden Screening Plants – Fresh Ideas & Tried-and-True Winners
Garden screening is big business so read on and make the right choices from SAVERSTREET
What’s new in screening plants, how to avoid the classic mistakes, and of course, the best plant picks.
Don’t just throw up a giant hedge all around the garden. Instead, layer your plants. It looks more natural, gives you loads more options, and avoids that heavy ‘green wall’ look.
Why Bother With Garden Screening?
Screening plants aren’t just about nosy neighbours. They can:
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Block out unwanted views (ugly sheds, street lamps, or new buildings)
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Create cosy garden “rooms” (perfect for a pool, terrace, or secret nook)
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Add privacy from passers-by at street level
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Cut the wind while making your garden feel lush and layered
What to Think About Before You Plant
Instead of going for the tallest hedge you can find, consider:
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Height needed – measure carefully, and check local rules before planting tall screens.
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Distance from the house – closer screens can be shorter and still do the job.
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Evergreen vs deciduous – evergreen keeps its leaves year-round, while deciduous gives more light in winter. (Some, like hornbeam, hang on to their leaves, just not in green.)
Placement & Layering Tricks
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Don’t cram plants right against the fence. Leave space so you can maintain them.
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Remember: you don’t have to block every inch. If you can’t see a neighbour’s window, they probably can’t see you either.
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Pots and planters make a great “first layer” near the house. Then add medium hedges, pleached or columnar trees, and taller trees further out for depth and variety.
✨ Pro tip: Planting in the middle of the garden makes it feel bigger — the eye takes longer to travel to the boundary.
Top 7 Screening Plants
Want plants that look great and work hard? Here are some go-to’s:
For a neat, architectural look:
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Pleached trees – a smart “hedge on stilts.”
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Standard (‘lollipop’) trees – formal or natural, your choice.
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Fastigiate trees – tall and narrow (think Italian Cypress).
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Multi-stemmed trees – sculptural, beloved at garden shows.
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Espaliered trees on a frame – instant structure.
Evergreen heroes:
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Portuguese Laurel – fast, neat, and elegant.
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Holly – slow but steady, with berries.
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Privet – quick grower, versatile, but needs regular clipping.
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Elaeagnus ebbingeii – tough as nails, grows almost anywhere.
Deciduous beauties:
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Hornbeam – keeps leaves through winter (just not green).
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Liquidambar – unbeatable autumn colour.
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Amelanchier – flowers in spring, fiery foliage in autumn.
Small Gardens & Pots
No garden? No problem. Screening works in pots too:
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Bamboo looks fab in containers (but don’t plant it in open ground unless you like chaos).
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Pleached and lollipop trees thrive in large, wide pots.
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Always water and feed regularly — pots dry out fast.
Planting & Care Tips
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Bare-root plants (sold in winter) are cheaper but need careful timing.
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Container plants are pricier but plantable all year.
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First 18 months = critical. Water, mulch (but keep away from the trunk), and consider irrigation.
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Use mycorrhizal fungi when planting to boost root growth.
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Fertiliser isn’t always needed — good soil + mulch usually does the job.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Picking plants that will outgrow your space.
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Planting too close to fences (no room for pruning).
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Burying stems with mulch (hello, rot!).
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Expecting tree trunks to “grow taller” — they don’t! The bare trunk stays bare.
Final word: Think layers, think variety, and think long-term care. Screening plants aren’t just about hiding things — they can make your garden more private, more stylish, and more enjoyable.
For more excellent advice on gardens and a list of lots of gardens around the UK to visit go to NATIONAL GARDEN SOCIETY
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