This small west facing garden in Bolton, Greater Manchester, had frustrated its owner due to its lack of privacy and clay soil. She had tried her best but ended up with a bit of a tangle of odd shapes, dying plants and patchy borders. She called Lee Burkhil the Garden Ninja in to help sort it out and add some privacy to a very overlooked garden.
After a detailed consultation, it was clear that the owner wanted a neat and tidy garden that also gave privacy to the terrace. She wanted to get into gardening but had failed so many times with buying plants to watch them die she had given up. The coffin-shaped lawn was depressing. The plants looked like they were growing to try and escape the garden rather than take up home in it. Then there were the low fences, windows and viewpoints from every which way with prying eyes. No wonder she called me in!
Privacy in a garden
Privacy is essential in any residential garden, but achieving it can be difficult. I've written extensively about my designs to increase privacy in the garden. Whilst it would be lovely to move your house to an open field, the practicalities often mean you have to work with rather than against neighbours. It's about achieving the 'feeling' of privacy rather than the 'absolute' privacy of 8ft high walls.
Trying to increase privacy in the garden by building up walls or fences can:
- Annoy neighbours causing disputes
- Block out light
- Become an eyesore in their own right
- Turn you into a horticultural Donald Trump
A better method is to use planting and structures to block or restrict certain viewpoints. It's about breaking the line of sight rather than blocking it out completely. In this garden we have used standard trees, suited to the soil type and slight shade to help diffuse the views from neighbouring gardens. They also give a real structure to the small space drawing your eyes inwards rather than outwards over the low fences. The key to great overlooked back garden design is subtlety, blurring boundaries and viewpoints.
Overlooked Back Garden Solution
The first thing was to ensure that the garden felt much more private and nested. By using standards around a circular lawn I created the feeling of being enclosed but not boxed in. It helped to break up the views from neighbouring properties and add a feeling of relaxation to the terrace garden.
The garden was west facing and had heavy clay soil, which had proved a nightmare for the client. By using plants that will thrive in nutrient-rich and wet clay soil I build up a plant portfolio to help fill the borders with clean green plants like Alchemilla mollis, Astrantia and Astilbes. Photina standards, Skimmia and Weigela bushes brought evergreen structure to the garden and order.
The circular lawn and pathway gave it a real design style drawing your focus in and making the borders feel really deep and exciting. It forces you to walk around the perimeter which allows you to get up close to the planting. It also means in the wet winter months the client can keep her feet mud free whilst accessing the shed where she can store her tools.
The client was really impressed with this garden. I managed to keep the light levels high, given its west-facing and already has enough shadows cast throughout the day. By using careful planting and proportions I gave the feeling of intimacy without walls and heavy structures.
Tips for Increasing Privacy in an Overlooked Garden
As we have discussed walls and higher fence panels are not the solution when it comes to privacy in a back garden. Those neighbourly second-floor windows will still be peering down on you. Instead, why not try the following design ideas?
Break the view of neighbouring windows
By using specimen trees or broken views you can help give the feeling of privacy without having to turn your garden into a prison. See the example below of how pleached trees can be used to help screen off a view and add some privacy.
Use specimen trees to break your view
Carefully planting standard shaped specimen trees can also be a great way to provide a feeling of privacy without too much effort. It's also a much more sympathetic way to get on with your neighbours. By creating a rich planting palette you can also help distract visitors to the garden from the neighbouring views.
Use a focal point to distract your view
Focal points can be a brilliant way of distracting your eye away from awkward views. In some garden configurations, you're not able to create complete privacy. However, a focal point such as a statue or specimen tree to draw your eye towards it can be just as effective.
Gazebos, Screens & pergolas for Privacy
Gazebos and pergolas can offer even the smallest garden with increased privacy. The great thing about them is that they don't cast too much shade in the garden but do give the owner much needed privacy from prying eyes. In the garden design below I used a pergola in the most overlooked area to offer some retreat from any neighbours.
Designing a garden with privacy in mind requires consideration to make sure that you achieve the privacy required but also don't offend your neighbours! Given that more and more new build houses are overlooked it is becoming a common problem for most gardeners. Hopefully, with the design example and tips, I've shown you how you can achieve privacy in harmony with neighbouring gardens!
If you have an overlooked garden why not Tweet, Facebook or Instagram me with your pictures? I may be able to help. You can also follow me on Youtube where I’ve got plenty of garden guide vlogs.
Happy Gardening!
