Create Your Perfect Private Oasis: Ultimate Guide to Tall Screening Plants in Pots

If you envision your garden as a secluded sanctuary where you can relax and enjoy some peace, it will be of great benefit to improve the privacy of that special place. One way to do that is by strategically planting different beautiful tall-growing plants. They will not only add a touch of botanical elegance but will also shield your outdoor area from curious eyes.

In this blog post, we’ll list the most appropriate tall outdoor potted plants and explore how they can meet your needs. So, let’s take a look and unveil the secrets of privacy in the United Kingdom’s garden wonderland.

Back Layer: Tall bamboo or arborvitaeMiddle Layer: Ornamental grassesFront Layer: Flowering shrubs

Bamboo (Phyllostachys) Image source: CJansuebsri / Shutterstock.com

• Fast growth: Bamboo, particularly Phyllostachys varieties, is known for its rapid growth, making it one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth.
• Versatile species: Phyllostachys encompasses various species with diverse characteristics, including tall timber bamboo and smaller ornamental varieties.
• Culms and nodes: The bamboo culms (stems) are segmented by nodes, contributing to their distinctive appearance and flexibility.

• Watering: Bamboo generally requires consistent moisture, especially during dry periods. The right amount of water helps maintain its lush and nice appearance.
• Fertilisation: Periodic fertilisation with a balanced, organic fertiliser supports healthy growth. Avoid excessive nitrogen usage, as it can lead to weak culms.
• Thinning and pruning: Thinning out old or weak culms and pruning the lower branches help maintain a neat and aesthetically pleasing appearance.

• Sunlight: Most bamboo varieties thrive in full to partial sunlight.
• Spacing: Bamboo should be planted with consideration for its spreading rhizomes. Planting in containers or installing a rhizome barrier can help control its spread.
• Landscape design: Bamboo serves various purposes in landscaping, from creating privacy screens to adding an exotic touch. Choose species based on the desired height and appearance for your landscape design.

Yew (Taxus baccata) Image source: Keith M Ramsey / Shutterstock.com

• Evergreen foliage: Yew, or Taxus baccata, is an evergreen conifer with dark green, needle-like leaves that provide year-round interest.
• Slow growth: Yews are relatively slow-growing, making them suitable for hedges, topiaries, and ornamental features that require controlled size.
• Red berries: Female yew plants produce distinctive red berries, adding a splash of colour to the landscape. However, bear in mind that the berries if consumed can be toxic.

• Pruning: Regular pruning helps maintain a desired shape and size. Yews respond well to shaping and can be pruned into formal hedges or more creative topiary forms.
• Soil and water: Yews prefer well-drained soil and benefit from regular watering, especially during dry periods. However, they tolerate a range of soil conditions once established.
• Disease resistance: Yews are generally hardy and resistant to many pests and diseases, which makes them a great option for low maintenance.

• Sunlight: Yews are versatile and can tolerate both full sun and partial shade, although they often perform best in partial shade.
• Landscaping uses: Yews are commonly used as hedges, screens, or foundation plantings. Their dense foliage provides excellent privacy.
• Container planting: Dwarf varieties of yew are well-suited for container planting, adding an evergreen element to patios and decks.

Low-Maintenance Evergreen Pots That Look Great All Year-Round

FAQ

What is the best screening plant to grow in pots?

Aside from what we are seeing as a planting container, I would highly recommend rosemary as a screen plant. There are verities that grow 3m high and much lower, it’s tough as nails, drought tolerant,prunes back well and you can use it in cooking and all sorts of stuff.

What is the best tall plant for screening?

Large-leaved plants such as laurel or Magnolia grandiflora are in scale with a tall screen. Small-leaved plants such as Pittosporum can grow quite tall, but if allowed to do so may not look in proportion. You may wish to create a screen from living material such as willow.

What is the best plant to block neighbors’ views?

Emerald Arborvitae or Thuja! You can build a living wall with them, and they pretty much grow straight up rather then out. I would also recommend if you own the fence, growing Virginia creeper on it in the mean time; it grows dense and well, and has amazing fall color!

What is the fastest growing plant for privacy screen?

Fast-growing trees like Leyland Cypress, Green Giant Arborvitae, and Hybrid Poplar provide quick, dense privacy screens. Ideal for blocking views, reducing noise, and adding greenery, these trees thrive in various climates.