While the “Secret Garden” look isn’t trending by any means, many homeowners do use plants to create privacy barriers. Only in rare instances is the intent to completely distance themselves from neighbors, though. Far more often, sectioning off an area of the yard from public view is to enhance the space for family time or a little R&R on the fly.
Homeowners who have decided to install a mesh screen enclosure around the lanai, for instance, often report they didn’t realize what a big difference it would have in the increased sense of privacy they experience. Moreover, those who work with a company that customizes privacy screens using digital imagery marvel at the amazing change in their environment as a whole.
Many homeowners choose to use plants to create their backyard getaways though. Let’s run through some of the most popular types used for privacy barriers.
Evergreens
When people hear—or see—the word “evergreen,” snow-covered Christmas trees tend to immediately come to mind. Someone living in Florida might naturally shy away from planning to use evergreens as part of their landscaping because—in our heads at least—they’re more likely to thrive in much cooler environments.
Surprise! There are evergreen shrubs too and some species love it here! They aren’t just green plants either. Many varieties produce abundant fragrant flowers. Moreover, some varieties bloom throughout the year. The thick foliage makes them a perfect choice for adding privacy, providing shelter for birds and other small wildlife, or hiding an ugly fence row… Or, perhaps, another unsightly view found nearby.
You can tell a Florida-friendly evergreen shrub because it will be rated to thrive in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Zones 8 through 11. These species include, but aren’t limited to the following:
- Boxwood—easy to grow, can be shaped into hedges or topiary designs
- Juniper—good to use for entryways, privacy screens, hedges, and even focal points
- Holly—used for foundation shrubs or statement pieces in landscaping designs
- Wintercreeper—makes good ground cover or climbs walls
- Yaupon Holly—great for privacy screen or any landscaping project
- Japanese Holly—most often used for borders or in formal gardens
- Emerald Green Arborvitae—Excellent for privacy barriers due to height and dense foliage
- Schipka Cherry Lauel—Glossy foliage, grow up to 10′ tall, white flowers in spring, orange berries loved by birds appear in fall
- Oak Leaf Red Holly—Grows up to 14 feet, burgundy spring foliage that turns to emerald-green
- Chinese Hibiscus “Persimmon”—flowers freely all year, thick foliage provides privacy
The majority of evergreen shrubs acclimated to Florida can be used as a “wall” due to their dense foliage and height potential.
Flowering vines
Were you of a mind to enclose yourself in a secret garden of your own, planting vines is your best option. They quickly spread outward and upward so it wouldn’t take long to create your secluded sanctuary. Of course, they are also wonderful additions to yards where you want to create a privacy barrier that includes a brilliant pop of color.
We tend to think of vines thriving in tropical climates, but you still need to ensure that your choices thrive in USDA Zones 8 through 11.
Some species acclimated to Florida are:
- Virginia Creeper—outstanding as a privacy wall cover, the plant produces very small flowers, but foliage turns brilliant colors in the fall
- Passion Flower Vines—produce a variety of showy flowers in hues of purple, red, and orange, native to Florida
- Crossvine—known for tubular orange flowers, noninvasive
- Carolina Jessamine—native to Florida, features bright yellow trumpet-shaped flowers
- Coral Honeysuckle—trainable
- Bougainvillea—vibrant blooms, requires a minimum of six hours of sunlight to flourish
- Mandevilla—a beautiful twining vine
Ornamental grasses
Several species of ornamental grasses make excellent privacy barriers. As with the shrubs and vines, varieties USDA zoned 8-11 will be your best investment. Ornamental grasses provide the heightened sense of privacy you desire and add beauty to your environment.
Ornamental grasses that thrive in Florida’s climate include:
- Pampas Grass—reaches heights up to 10 feet, creates a dense privacy screen, requires occasional pruning
- Big Bluestem—grows in clumps reaching heights of 6-8 feet
- Switchgrass—adaptable and hardy, height ranges from 3-6 feet
- New Zeland Flax—not a true grass but has a similar appearance, striking, sword-like leaves, reaches heights up to 6 feet
Your backyard retreat
If gardening isn’t your forte, you still have the option of having a mesh screen enclosure installed. In addition to providing you with a heightened sense of privacy, they offer several benefits for your family to enjoy for years to come.
They are:
- Bugs can’t enter
- A degree of UV protection
- Free airflow
- Keeps the area cleaner
- Safety features
Moreover, once your enclosure is up, it’s up. A live privacy barrier isn’t likely to be as low maintenance.
Whether you plan to create a live privacy barrier, build freestanding walls to place strategically in your yard, or choose to work with a company that installs outdoor enclosures to enhance your outdoor living area, you won’t regret claiming the space. Our homes are the place we spend the most time together with our families. Creating a private area that draws everyone together enhances the moments you spend there.
Feeling as if you’re in your own little world, if only for an hour or two at a time, is all adding up to precious memories for everyone to treasure. Forever.