Like the saying goes, good fences make good neighbors. As part of residential landscaping, privacy and screening are important to many people. Who wants their neighbor (even someone you know well) peeking into their home?

You may also have unsightly views of telephones and power lines that detract from your residential landscaping, so why not use plants for screening? They can cover up a lot of unattractive things like a chain link fences or a neighbor’s creaky wooden fence.

How High To Go

Before deciding on what plants you might use to block your neighbors’ view of your home, or your view of theirs, decide how high you need your screening material to be. If you live near other single-story houses at the same elevation, then something ten feet or under may be adequate. Also check for any restrictions place by authorities on landscaping in residential areas.

Next, consider the environmental conditions as well, such as whether or not there’s a lot of noise pollution, as there are a few ways to compensate. For example, landscaping in a residential area with stands of bamboo can help. Bamboo is easy to care for and when the wind blows, the sound of rustling leaves can be very soothing and pleasant.

Adding a bubbler or water feature can also be used to combat noise pollution by providing some tranquility in your backyard as well. However, the primary point in using bamboo is that it is generally quick-growing (depending on the species) and can provide you with screening faster than you would get it if you planted trees.

Use caution, as some species of bamboo can be quite aggressive and take over a yard. Be certain to consult with your nursery grower before settling on a species and research them online if possible. You can also screen your house and create pleasant borders with hedges, as long as you don’t mind the trimming involved.

Covering Up

Greenery can also disguise pieces of equipment that you don’t want to look at, along with unsightly fences. If you can’t afford to upgrade your fence or want cover up a neighbor’s broken-down fence, you can use attractive flowering vines for coverage and improve your residential landscaping relatively cheaply.

It doesn’t take all that much effort to apply one of these approaches to your backyard, and you’ll be glad that you did!