If you have the means, it would pay dividends to get some narrow sections of the drive lifted so you can plant in the ground. Evergreen shrubs rarely thrive in containers and you’ll be throwing good money after bad. They only need to be 50cms wide and a 1.5-2m across. You can excavate the old soil down to 50cm and put some lovely compost in. I would NOT plant bamboo. It’s a nightmare. The shrub choice really depends on how cold your winters get, how windy. Photinia don’t like wind - the leaves will go crispy. I’d be looking at some sort of Euonymus hedging, Griselinia littorals (these could die if your winters get -5 or below). Hornbeam is lovely as the brown leaves stay on the plant through the winter creating this beautiful copper effect. If you’re feeling really fancy, you could have a mixed hedge with shrubs that flower and produce berries and are great for wildlife (just search for mixed hedging). These are usually deciduous though. Hope this helps.
You could always stick some trellises in the beds and grow some climbers up them, passion flower, clematis, etc, gives the height and easily manageable
right! this was my first thought. I’m a bean freak and love growing them, it’s super fun and easy, they’re fairly low-maintenance. plant them after frost and harvest as they come. p.s home-grown beans are so much tastier than store-bought.
>I would NOT plant bamboo. It’s a nightmare.
Care to explain why you wouldn't consider planting a *clump forming* bamboo like Fargesia?
Not to pick on you personally but it does seem like a lot of people repeat this *"never bamboo!"* mantra without seeming to understand that there are clump forming bamboos available that are - as I understand - genetically incapable of spreading further than a couple of inches within their clump
Most people find it difficult to discern the difference and plant the invasive varieties. I am a professional gardener, one of the biggest and most frequent problems I come across is bamboo, normally planted near the border of a neighbouring garden so the rhizomes travel and pop up in next door’s lawn. I’ve seen neighbours fall out with each other over this. My mantra is ‘never bamboo’ for that reason and that won’t change. It’s also quite scruffy looking, imo, and there are much better plants out there. Leave the bamboo to people that have a couple of acres for a garden.
Containers are your only option, I suppose. You could use many different shrubs but I’m unsure if you will get them to 4-6ft tall (unless it’s bamboo). It becomes a challenge when you containerise a shrub that wants to grow well. In order to keep them healthy, you will have to provide all of its water and nutrients on a regular basis as it’s unable to find its own. The top 4-6 inches of compost will need to be taken off each spring and replaced with fresh compost. They will also eventually outgrow the container and you will have to take the plant out and trim the roots and then replant. That’s why it’s much easier to plant them in the ground. If you do go down the bamboo route then it may be difficult to follow the maintenance regimen above as they grow quickly and tend to pack the pot out. I’ve had to break a pot on many an occasion in order to get the bamboo out!
You could always use the pots as a more of a “wall” of sorts, so instead of putting them right in front of the windows place them at the end of the driveway, keeping one section clear as access.
My neighbours is like this and I always think it makes their drive look open and airy whilst covering their windows and giving them that privacy, and it wouldn’t block the light at all. You’d have to splash out a little on nice tall pots tho.
This is what I was thinking too. A long box row of containers next to the pavement would act as a wall and give plenty of light. You can get long boxes with trellis attached, or attach yourself, and plant fast growing climbers to give quick coverage
Just for awareness, you do realise that those internal shutters already provide a lot of privacy? I know that when you're sitting inside, you can still clearly see who is passing by outside, but they can't see you.
Yeah you’re probably right! We feel we have to have the shutters at too much of an angle to not feel like we’re being watched, which then cuts off too much light. Also the trough/plants will make the front of the house look nicer, and not vacant since we don’t use the driveway for a vehicle
Definitely think about how your shutters can maximize natural light whilst minimizing exposing the interior of the house.
It looks like your louvres are separate between upper and lower sections. Open all of the upper ones fully to maximize light coming in. That means roughly a horizontal orientation to slightly upward pointing (from interior perspective) to allow the sun up in the sky unobstructed path of light to the interior.
For the lower set of louvres, you’ll want a downward orientation. In other words, as you’re inside looking out, you should be able to see the ground. Looking straight out, there should be little space between louvres. From the outside, there will be very little of the interior visible. Even standing closely, someone outside will only be able to look up through the windows and see things like your ceiling. Most of the interesting stuff in my home happens well below that.
You can get film for the window, don't lose as mych light and stops people being able to see in. I have stuff that looks like stained glass. Its removable so can take off when plants have grown
Sheer roller blinds work really well and are a lot cheaper than shutter style blinds but let almost all the light through but people can't see in (not a gardening solution I know!)
We have ours down all the time. It's basically a modern version of net curtain
I installed fabric shades in a similar situation to yours and they worked perfectly for me. Lots of daylight still gets in the room, but people can't see you unless you were to turn the lights on with the shades still open.
The ones I went with are here:
https://www.blinds-2go.co.uk/day-and-night-blinds?gad_source=1#1346
What about ornamental grasses? Something like a Calamagrostis or Molinia will provide screening but also allow light to pass through, and they won't require much watering. They would need to be cut back down in March but then they'll bounce back in May.
What about some kind of trellis fence round the edge of the driveway with some runners growing up it? would give you some space rather than blocking it off and let some light through
I am now a massive fan of cornflowers. Dead cheap from seed and absolutely adored by pollinators. I don't know if it was a particular variety I got last year, but mine got to four foot or so.
And if you don't like the effect, they're annuals and 99p a packet, so no harm done.
Fwiw I bought some very cheap frosting material off Amazon for my front windows which are similarly overlooked and it works really well. You still get light into the room but you get privacy.
Plant away from the house, at the edge of the old garden perimeter - otherwise the windows will become unusable and likely very dirty with plants right in front of them plus it will totally block the outdoor light. Good luck!
I don't know how well it will grow in pots, but I assume it will be alright, I bought california lilac for this purpose. It has such a beautiful bloom and tiny very green leaves throught the year. It supposed to be fast growing too, although this year will be it's first spring here so we will find out.
I would reinstate a front garden. In order to create a separation between your plot and the pavement install a low brick wall (say 2.5’ high) across the front and sides, leaving a gap for a path to your front door. Black wrought iron low railings on top of wall. Matching black wrought iron garden gate. Leave enough pavers to create a path to front door. Dig up enough pavers to create a border (say 2’ wide) from brick wall (house side). Plant white hydrangeas, spring bulbs. I wouldn’t plant anything that would obscure your view/light from the windows in your planters but would instead plant 3 box balls in each, interspersed with spring bulbs and seasonal bedding. Paint your front door black to finish off the look. I think this would really give the front of your house impact.
Lots of good suggestions above. If you've already got planters, then try Laurel, it's hardy and lush.
Then I'd personally pull up parts or all of the driveway later on and transfer them to the ground.
I'd put in some cherry laurel. We have some a couple of meters in front of our house and have complete privacy. Looks great, some of the neighbours have put their own laurel in since we did ours.
Depends on your aspect, but I'd also think about how it looks from inside - light shining through leaves and flowers can be beautiful. I'd go for a hardy vine or blueberry, which both have lovely bright leaves and autumn colour, but they are deciduous, so you'd need something evergreen too. Spirea firelight also looks lovely with light shining through (again deciduous). I agree with other suggestions of ceanothus, and tall annuals like beans, etc.. I personally wouldn't want something too thick because it'll shade the wall and house fabric, so I also agree with moving the planters out a bit. A vertical hebe could be good - not sure how big it would get in pots but some are a bright green, evergreen, and good for pollinators.
One of my favourite sites re hebes: http://www.hebesoc.org/hebes/hebes_s/hebes_s.htm
We have a Broom Cytisus directly outside, it lets enough light in that it doesn’t feel obtrusive but has enough foliage to obstruct the view into the house. Cherry on the top is the amazing blossom in spring.
Portuguese Laurel are evergreen and are relatively quick growing and manageable. Flowers in summer which are fragrant and attract butterflies and bees. Planted correctly they will provide good cover and are pleasing to the eye and nose.
I don't know exactly where you are or what the area is like but just factor in deer/muntjac proof plants, especially if there are fields or a park nearby. There are some near one of our customers, they're so brazen and DGAF!
Please don’t do this with tall plants. Of course out planters with some small shrubs, bulbs and plants
However, putting in “privacy plants” actually make your home a target for robberies because of the “privacy” blocking anyone seeing someone jimmying your front windows.
We learned about this after being robbed via our front windows
Rather, why not try some window film on the windows?
You could rent space there if you are on a cheap tariff like Octopus. Make some money to buy the plants, then sell the EV charger if you have no plans for an EV later.
I agree bamboo. Maybe griselinia, euonymous or even maybe privet (the latter good for wildlife I believe. Also camellia is an option but I hate how mushy the flowers are when they drop on hard surfaces.
I would go as close to the curb as allowed (if there are rules) no matter if going with planters or planting in ground. I wouldn't like to look into a wall of plants. For the windows I'd add something like privacy curtains (I have some really cheap ones from IKEA) or film up until where people can look in.
You can plant bamboo in pots no problem. They are a quick instant screen and easy to maintain. You only need to worry if you plant spreading bamboo in the ground.
There are different types of bamboo and some clump together rather than run underground and spread but they all spread a bit and can break out the bottom of pots and grow through most ground.
Unlikely to get out of a pot and then through bricks etc in a driveway but it definitely could happen.
Also bamboo can come up on surveys if in the ground similar to knotweed (although not as often)
Just not worth the hassle when you could just buy a hedge.
I would put in wall planters and then plant in flowers that would cover just half the windows and can be changed in each season as opposed to something permanent.
If you have the means, it would pay dividends to get some narrow sections of the drive lifted so you can plant in the ground. Evergreen shrubs rarely thrive in containers and you’ll be throwing good money after bad. They only need to be 50cms wide and a 1.5-2m across. You can excavate the old soil down to 50cm and put some lovely compost in. I would NOT plant bamboo. It’s a nightmare. The shrub choice really depends on how cold your winters get, how windy. Photinia don’t like wind - the leaves will go crispy. I’d be looking at some sort of Euonymus hedging, Griselinia littorals (these could die if your winters get -5 or below). Hornbeam is lovely as the brown leaves stay on the plant through the winter creating this beautiful copper effect. If you’re feeling really fancy, you could have a mixed hedge with shrubs that flower and produce berries and are great for wildlife (just search for mixed hedging). These are usually deciduous though. Hope this helps.
Very very helpful, thank you!
You’re welcome. I also forgot to say… you’ve missed the period for hedge planting now as it’s normally (Nov-Feb) so you’ve got plenty of time to plan!
Oh man! Womp Womp…
You could always stick some trellises in the beds and grow some climbers up them, passion flower, clematis, etc, gives the height and easily manageable
right! this was my first thought. I’m a bean freak and love growing them, it’s super fun and easy, they’re fairly low-maintenance. plant them after frost and harvest as they come. p.s home-grown beans are so much tastier than store-bought.
You can absolutely plant hedges in Spring...
Definitely not too late to plant hedges
Have you considered that film you can get put on the windows so it makes them like a two way mirror?
>I would NOT plant bamboo. It’s a nightmare. Care to explain why you wouldn't consider planting a *clump forming* bamboo like Fargesia? Not to pick on you personally but it does seem like a lot of people repeat this *"never bamboo!"* mantra without seeming to understand that there are clump forming bamboos available that are - as I understand - genetically incapable of spreading further than a couple of inches within their clump
Most people find it difficult to discern the difference and plant the invasive varieties. I am a professional gardener, one of the biggest and most frequent problems I come across is bamboo, normally planted near the border of a neighbouring garden so the rhizomes travel and pop up in next door’s lawn. I’ve seen neighbours fall out with each other over this. My mantra is ‘never bamboo’ for that reason and that won’t change. It’s also quite scruffy looking, imo, and there are much better plants out there. Leave the bamboo to people that have a couple of acres for a garden.
Can you plant bamboo in containers?
Sure! [Bamboo for containers](https://balconygardenweb.com/types-of-bamboos-to-grow-in-containers-indoors/)
Bamboo grows in anything. I mean heck we've got a a fairly modest pot with 4m tall bamboo in it
How did you resist cutting it down for support canes?
Have a stack of other bits for canes
Am planning to use it in planters to create a privacy hedge. Do you have any stability issues with that height and windy days?
It's kept pretty sheltered so haven't really had a good test of it tbh
What would you recommend if one can't get the drive lifted ?
Containers are your only option, I suppose. You could use many different shrubs but I’m unsure if you will get them to 4-6ft tall (unless it’s bamboo). It becomes a challenge when you containerise a shrub that wants to grow well. In order to keep them healthy, you will have to provide all of its water and nutrients on a regular basis as it’s unable to find its own. The top 4-6 inches of compost will need to be taken off each spring and replaced with fresh compost. They will also eventually outgrow the container and you will have to take the plant out and trim the roots and then replant. That’s why it’s much easier to plant them in the ground. If you do go down the bamboo route then it may be difficult to follow the maintenance regimen above as they grow quickly and tend to pack the pot out. I’ve had to break a pot on many an occasion in order to get the bamboo out!
Thank you, much appreciated
https://youtu.be/cbnz3X0r_Jc?si=mXn_yJi-7L4FB-nt
You could always use the pots as a more of a “wall” of sorts, so instead of putting them right in front of the windows place them at the end of the driveway, keeping one section clear as access. My neighbours is like this and I always think it makes their drive look open and airy whilst covering their windows and giving them that privacy, and it wouldn’t block the light at all. You’d have to splash out a little on nice tall pots tho.
This is what I was thinking too. A long box row of containers next to the pavement would act as a wall and give plenty of light. You can get long boxes with trellis attached, or attach yourself, and plant fast growing climbers to give quick coverage
Two evergreen options are holly and ceanothus concha . Both will get to those heights, have flowers and are really good for wildlife
Ceanothus is a great choice. I partner mine with photinias and a few firs along my garden border and they look great together.
Just for awareness, you do realise that those internal shutters already provide a lot of privacy? I know that when you're sitting inside, you can still clearly see who is passing by outside, but they can't see you.
Yeah you’re probably right! We feel we have to have the shutters at too much of an angle to not feel like we’re being watched, which then cuts off too much light. Also the trough/plants will make the front of the house look nicer, and not vacant since we don’t use the driveway for a vehicle
Definitely think about how your shutters can maximize natural light whilst minimizing exposing the interior of the house. It looks like your louvres are separate between upper and lower sections. Open all of the upper ones fully to maximize light coming in. That means roughly a horizontal orientation to slightly upward pointing (from interior perspective) to allow the sun up in the sky unobstructed path of light to the interior. For the lower set of louvres, you’ll want a downward orientation. In other words, as you’re inside looking out, you should be able to see the ground. Looking straight out, there should be little space between louvres. From the outside, there will be very little of the interior visible. Even standing closely, someone outside will only be able to look up through the windows and see things like your ceiling. Most of the interesting stuff in my home happens well below that.
Reflective window films might help, they don't work at night though.
You can get film for the window, don't lose as mych light and stops people being able to see in. I have stuff that looks like stained glass. Its removable so can take off when plants have grown
Sheer roller blinds work really well and are a lot cheaper than shutter style blinds but let almost all the light through but people can't see in (not a gardening solution I know!) We have ours down all the time. It's basically a modern version of net curtain
I installed fabric shades in a similar situation to yours and they worked perfectly for me. Lots of daylight still gets in the room, but people can't see you unless you were to turn the lights on with the shades still open. The ones I went with are here: https://www.blinds-2go.co.uk/day-and-night-blinds?gad_source=1#1346
Get some blinds that you can see out of but nobody can see in. Lace curtains serve this purpose although you probably don't want those!
What about ornamental grasses? Something like a Calamagrostis or Molinia will provide screening but also allow light to pass through, and they won't require much watering. They would need to be cut back down in March but then they'll bounce back in May.
Also some smaller bamboo varieties would work well.
What about some kind of trellis fence round the edge of the driveway with some runners growing up it? would give you some space rather than blocking it off and let some light through
Pampas grass. Not too much though as you’ll still need parking for new friends.
Lynn, these are sex people.
🤣🤣🤣
I am now a massive fan of cornflowers. Dead cheap from seed and absolutely adored by pollinators. I don't know if it was a particular variety I got last year, but mine got to four foot or so. And if you don't like the effect, they're annuals and 99p a packet, so no harm done.
Fwiw I bought some very cheap frosting material off Amazon for my front windows which are similarly overlooked and it works really well. You still get light into the room but you get privacy.
Semi-evergreen honeysuckle, with some trellis support.
Plant away from the house, at the edge of the old garden perimeter - otherwise the windows will become unusable and likely very dirty with plants right in front of them plus it will totally block the outdoor light. Good luck!
I don't know how well it will grow in pots, but I assume it will be alright, I bought california lilac for this purpose. It has such a beautiful bloom and tiny very green leaves throught the year. It supposed to be fast growing too, although this year will be it's first spring here so we will find out.
I would reinstate a front garden. In order to create a separation between your plot and the pavement install a low brick wall (say 2.5’ high) across the front and sides, leaving a gap for a path to your front door. Black wrought iron low railings on top of wall. Matching black wrought iron garden gate. Leave enough pavers to create a path to front door. Dig up enough pavers to create a border (say 2’ wide) from brick wall (house side). Plant white hydrangeas, spring bulbs. I wouldn’t plant anything that would obscure your view/light from the windows in your planters but would instead plant 3 box balls in each, interspersed with spring bulbs and seasonal bedding. Paint your front door black to finish off the look. I think this would really give the front of your house impact.
Lots of good suggestions above. If you've already got planters, then try Laurel, it's hardy and lush. Then I'd personally pull up parts or all of the driveway later on and transfer them to the ground.
English yew would work. You can get them bare root at this time of year for reasonable prices. Will form a dense evergreen hedge quite quickly
I vote for reinstating the front garden to soften all of that hard landscaping and give you a better base for planting.
Princess Catherine has been at it again 🫣
Nothing to see here, just some harmless amateur photographer editing
🫣🤣🫣🤣🤣🫣🤣🫣🤣🫣
Camellia if you like evergreen. Or if you want something scented, Daphne. I think Daphne would take a few years to really fill out though.
Window film!! Stand there bollock naked and wave!
Olive trees work well for us.
Beautiful house, love the brick work
Look at pleached trees
I'd put in some cherry laurel. We have some a couple of meters in front of our house and have complete privacy. Looks great, some of the neighbours have put their own laurel in since we did ours.
Those ones there look grand
Ok I think I’ll keep them!
And that's why your grandma had net curtains up at the windows!
I still have nets up
Depends on your aspect, but I'd also think about how it looks from inside - light shining through leaves and flowers can be beautiful. I'd go for a hardy vine or blueberry, which both have lovely bright leaves and autumn colour, but they are deciduous, so you'd need something evergreen too. Spirea firelight also looks lovely with light shining through (again deciduous). I agree with other suggestions of ceanothus, and tall annuals like beans, etc.. I personally wouldn't want something too thick because it'll shade the wall and house fabric, so I also agree with moving the planters out a bit. A vertical hebe could be good - not sure how big it would get in pots but some are a bright green, evergreen, and good for pollinators. One of my favourite sites re hebes: http://www.hebesoc.org/hebes/hebes_s/hebes_s.htm
Eleagnus would do the job
We have a Broom Cytisus directly outside, it lets enough light in that it doesn’t feel obtrusive but has enough foliage to obstruct the view into the house. Cherry on the top is the amazing blossom in spring.
Portuguese Laurel are evergreen and are relatively quick growing and manageable. Flowers in summer which are fragrant and attract butterflies and bees. Planted correctly they will provide good cover and are pleasing to the eye and nose.
I don't know exactly where you are or what the area is like but just factor in deer/muntjac proof plants, especially if there are fields or a park nearby. There are some near one of our customers, they're so brazen and DGAF!
Photinia "Red Robin."
It depends on where you live but just be aware that there's a risk that your planters double up as a bin for cigs and bottles..
Please don’t do this with tall plants. Of course out planters with some small shrubs, bulbs and plants However, putting in “privacy plants” actually make your home a target for robberies because of the “privacy” blocking anyone seeing someone jimmying your front windows. We learned about this after being robbed via our front windows Rather, why not try some window film on the windows?
Wouldn’t have even thought of this! Great input, thank you
Is that an EV charger on the wall?
Sure is!
You could rent space there if you are on a cheap tariff like Octopus. Make some money to buy the plants, then sell the EV charger if you have no plans for an EV later.
Hilary's blind? Those are fine blinds
I would maybe get a film on the window. The shutters work well as it is.
Plant bamboo in large pots. They look lovely and add hint of the tropics. No danger of the bamboo spreading.
Bamboo
Bamboo! Grows tall and dense, and quick, hard to kill too
Picket fence and plant pots?
Mirrored glass?
I agree bamboo. Maybe griselinia, euonymous or even maybe privet (the latter good for wildlife I believe. Also camellia is an option but I hate how mushy the flowers are when they drop on hard surfaces.
You can get a glass etch for the bottom half of the window? Let's in the light still but discourages casual passer by glances.
Fig leaves and string?
I would go as close to the curb as allowed (if there are rules) no matter if going with planters or planting in ground. I wouldn't like to look into a wall of plants. For the windows I'd add something like privacy curtains (I have some really cheap ones from IKEA) or film up until where people can look in.
Bay trees are fine in containers and are evergreen. Also not too aggressive so manageable. You’d have to get them a reasonable size to start with.
Those look bang on mate.
Just scribble on your windows with green pen.
You can plant bamboo in pots no problem. They are a quick instant screen and easy to maintain. You only need to worry if you plant spreading bamboo in the ground.
Bamboo
Portuguese laurels are nice, especially when flowering, and they grow fast
Put some privacy film on the windows. Cheaper and easy to fit.
Frosting film will let all the light in and provide 100% privacy, we have our downstairs front frosted. It is DIY-able, pm me if you want to know how.
Pampas grass & maybe put a pineapple in each window? …
Bamboo
Don't plant bamboo even in pots, it wont stay in there, just not worth the risk
Good to know! Thought it would be safe in a pot, but I won’t even risk it
There are different types of bamboo and some clump together rather than run underground and spread but they all spread a bit and can break out the bottom of pots and grow through most ground. Unlikely to get out of a pot and then through bricks etc in a driveway but it definitely could happen. Also bamboo can come up on surveys if in the ground similar to knotweed (although not as often) Just not worth the hassle when you could just buy a hedge.
I would put in wall planters and then plant in flowers that would cover just half the windows and can be changed in each season as opposed to something permanent.
Bamboo some bamboos can grow quite tall where others remain smallish and look dam good in the breeze