Whether it’s neighbors peeking in, constant foot traffic, or just feeling a little ‘on display’, it can be hard to relax if your The front garden Feel very open.
And when front garden Often designed to feel welcome, there is a difference between open and ignored. The good news is that creating more privacy doesn’t have to mean building a huge wall or closing yourself off from the street entirely. In fact, some of the best Consider front garden privacy Work by softening boundaries and subtly changing sight lines, keeping the space attractive and inviting.
Planting is often the easiest place to start. A good position HedgeA few tall planters or some climbing plants? You best believe they can quickly make the front garden feel quieter and more enclosed, not to mention reduce noise, support Wildlife And also deters opportunistic intruders, especially when thorn bushes are involved.
5 Easy Fixes for an Open Front Garden
To find the easiest ways to make an open front garden feel more secluded, we asked garden experts for their top fixes. And, as usual, they all had nothing but great advice to share…
1. Plant a hedge
Christopher O’Donoghue, Director Revive the gardenRecommends hedging as the best long-term solution for any front garden that feels too open.
‘I can’t think of a better way to create privacy in a front garden than to plant a hedge,’ he says. ‘I used laurel for mine, then saved some struggling plants to be thrown away, and these have grown into a green screen. Bare root hedging can also be surprisingly affordable if you’re working on a budget.’
A gardener with over a decade of experience under his belt, Christopher founded Gardens Revived in 2018 with his brother Andrew to build a thriving family business. Since then he has worked on residential gardens, listed buildings and gardens, the award-winning RHS Flower Show Gardens and large estates of over 70 acres – many of historic significance.
Christopher adds that hedges also bring environmental benefits.
Ours is full Ladybird every summer, and the birds are constantly diving into it,’ he says.
Crocus
Prunus laurocerasus ‘Rotandifolia’
The large glossy, dark green leaves of cherry laurel make an attractive front hedge.
Thompson and Morgan
Ligustrum ovalifolium ‘Golden’ (hedging)
This vigorous, oval-leaved privet makes a crisp, pollution-tolerant hedge, ideal for anyone on a busy street.
This hedge boasts bright-red fall fruits for four-season interest (and wildlife benefits!).
2. Add a low fence with planting
According to Morris Hankinson, director of Hops Grove NurseryCombining a low fence with planting is ideal if you don’t want to completely close off the front of your house. This Contemporary fence panel, £67 from B&QA perfect background for plants.
‘A low fence paired with shrubs or climbers can soften a border without making the garden feel closed in,’ he explains. ‘It’s a good middle ground if you still want some openness.’
Morris is the founder and managing director of Hankinson Hops Grove Nursery Ltd., is the UK’s only specialist manufacturer-retailer of hedging plants. Shortly after graduating with a degree in commercial horticulture from Rittle College, Essex, he established a thriving business in 1992.
For added security, he recommends thorny shrubs like berberis, which can help deter intruders while still looking attractive.
‘Something like berberis will deter intruders too.’
Add a pop of color to your selection Berberis thunbergii f. Atropurpurea ‘Harlequin’ from Crocus; Its reddish-purple leaves are marbled with pink, making it a truly striking feature.
3. Use trellis panels
trellis Panels are another clever option if your front garden feels too open, especially if you want extra privacy without sacrificing sunlight. This Trellis panel, £55 from B&Qwill provide just the right amount of screening.
‘A trellis is ideal if you want privacy without blocking the light,’ says Morris. ‘The train Climbing plants As Jasmine, Passion flowers, rose Or Clematis By it for a greener, more flowery alternative.’
This works particularly well in small front gardens where solid fencing can make the space feel boxy.
Passion Flower Caerulea – Passiflora
This passion flower is supplied in approximately 2-litre containers.
Premier garden supplies
6ft X 5ft Wooden Garden Trellis Panel
This trellis panel is just like my mother’s.
Vitex
Q4 All Purpose Plant Food
A top-rated slow-release fertilizer to promote more blooms.
4. Place planters strategically
For a flexible and renter-friendly solution, Morris recommends using oversized planters as movable screens.
‘Large pots with grass, small trees or bamboo can act as a flexible screen,’ he says. ‘If you want something mobile or renter friendly they are perfect.’
Tall ornamental grasses can add softness and movement, eg A very slim pack, £15.19 for a two-litre potWhile multi-stem trees help break up direct sight lines into your home if your front garden feels too open.
Buy tall plantings
Urban Living
Tall Rectangular Planter (Anthracite)
Wayfair.co.uk
Dakota Fields Atonia Garden Raised Bed in Rusty Corten Steel
Primrose
Tall Fibercotta Trough Planter in Terracotta 72 X 60 X 22 cm
5. Create a zoned entrance
Sometimes, making a garden feel more private is all about changing how it’s laid out rather than blocking the space entirely.
‘Even subtle changes like curves way, Raised beds Or a small seating area can change sight lines and make your space feel more secluded,’ explains Morris.
Creating small zones in the front garden can make the area feel more purposeful and sheltered, even without major structural changes.
FAQs
What to plant in the front garden for privacy?
According to Morris Hankinson of Hops Grove Nursery, one of the most effective ways to create natural privacy in a front garden is with a hedge.
‘A hedge is one of the most natural and attractive ways to create privacy,’ he says. ‘It’s great for wildlife and adds a lot of interest to the garden.’
Fast growing varieties Such as laurel, privet and lelandy can quickly create a dense screen, while yew or box give a smarter, more formal finish.
So, if your front garden currently looks more like a shop window than a peaceful retreat, a few smart changes can make a big difference. Do you go for it? Wildlife-friendly A hedge, a few strategically placed planters or a flower-covered trellis, creating privacy doesn’t mean closing yourself off completely.
That means thinking a little more creatively about space… and planting accordingly.
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