How can I create more privacy between my home and the neighbors?

Bettina Borders
by Bettina Borders

Last year the lot was sold and a lovely home built on it, owned by equally lovely people. BUT, we have been used to a sheltered home with tall hedges and trees and no one next door. Our picture window in our living room now looks out on a driveway and the street. I had a deep box made for the window and have parents on it . Years ago we planted rhododendrons along the boundary under tall hedges. The new owners took down the tall hedges, exposing us. The driveway and garage of the new home is about 6 feet from the boundary and 10 to12 feet from the window. I love light coming in but not the view. Any trees that filter light and give some privacy???? Thanks

  8 answers
  • Joy30150932 Joy30150932 on Feb 04, 2019

    The quickest and cheapest thing to do right now is to install lace curtains to increase your privacy. The other thing you might consider is a privacy fence which you can plant climbing plants on such as morning glory, vines like clematis. Not sure if the hedge was on your property or theirs. If theirs, they have every right to remove it but if it is yours, they should not have touched it without your permission.

  • Judy Judy on Feb 04, 2019

    If those bushes were on your property they should not have removed them.

    A nursey can help you choose what is fast growing for your area. We used arborvitae bushes.

    For a quick privacy fence will lattice wood work?

    Ive also seen bamboo planted but it is evasive unles you can contain it. It creeps under easily. Bamboos is so peaceful and would allow the light you seek.

    Good luck!

  • LeeAnn LeeAnn on Feb 04, 2019

    That will depend on where you live. Tell me where you live and we can go from there!

  • Oliva Oliva on Feb 08, 2019

    Hi, Bettina,

    Cleveland pears purchased in taller sizes will provide filtered privacy during spring, Summer, part of Fall, but are deciduous. Maples need planted a minimum of 25' from your home's foundation. Smoketrees grow quickly after the first 3 years.

    Another tall option is some varieties of Forsythia, older Lilacs, Oak Leaf Hydrangeas ( require sprays to protect from deer damage).

    In zone 5b,6a, particular varieties of green Giants, spaced 8 feet apart on center and staggered planting will quickly grow and provide denser privacy. Keep them well watered (and mulched with at least 4" hardbark mulch), at least for the first 3 years. They are rarely bothered by deer, have far less invasive root systems than many other trees, and required ferfilizer only in the second year. The tips on some branches can discolor in coldest part of winter, but they sustain no branch damage, and recover rapidly, in the Spring.

    • See 1 previous
    • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Mar 18, 2019

      ‘Cleveland Select’ and ‘Bradford’ pear are both sterile when growing in isolation,both are considered invasive. But when two or more varieties of flowering pear are near each other, they definitely can pollinate each other’s flowers. Each tree will produce lots of little brown fruit with seeds inside. The seeds are scattered by chipmunks, birds, and other creatures. The resulting plant is a vigorous bush with three-inch long thorns that spreads like wildfire through natural areas. It is extremely difficult to control except with machinery. Because of this environmental danger, I never recommend planting flowering pears. ‘Natchez’ crapemyrtle, redbud, or saucer magnolia would be good substitutes.

      It is true that ‘Cleveland’ pear it’s not “supposed” to have fruit, but if it is pollinated by another variety, like ‘Bradford’ pear, it will have fruit.

      If the seeds sprout, they will grow up to resemble the original parent of both varieties of pear: the thorny Chinese callery pear.


  • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Feb 08, 2019

    Tree year round greenery///Green giant arborvitae (Zones 5-7): A pyramid-shaped evergreen with rich green needles that adds about three feet to its height per year.Shrub deciduous(Looses leaves)///North privet (Zones 4-8): A pyramid-shaped shrub with dark, glossy leaves that grows about three feet per year



  • Cherry Cherry on Mar 18, 2019

    While it was being built, should have surveyed it and built a fence. Fences make good neighbors according to judge judy.

    • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Mar 18, 2019

      Lots of open countryside makes good neighbors-people even fight over the fencing!

  • Beni Beni on Aug 04, 2022

    We’d recommend planting privacy trees anywhere you can on your property to boost your home’s privacy. They not only offer seclusion from prying eyes, but they can breathtakingly ornate your garden and backyard. For this reason, we advise you to give Japanese seeders a thought! They are fast-growing ever-greens, reaching 45 feet and a twenty-foot spread. You can grow it quickly, and it is known to be tolerant of many climate adversities. Next, the pyramid-shaped Leyland Cypress is another trendy tree to protect your privacy and cast a cooling shade anywhere you wish. It can grow to reach an impressive sixty to ninety feet in height with a 25-foot spread. You’ll instantly recognize it due to its blueish-green color. Lastly, meet our favorite privacy tree, Nellie Stevens Holly, the fastest-growing tree you can buy on the market! Yearly, it can grow three feet, reaching a peak of 25 feet! It has classic dark green leaves, and it’s easy to grow. By all means, any of these trees will protect your privacy. We also recommend planting shrubs and hedges between the trees to create a perfect mini-recreational area for you and your family.

  • Mogie Mogie on Aug 04, 2022

    What are you using for window treatments?

    You could apply window tinting for increased privacy during the day.

    You could hang bamboo blinds on the outside of the window.

    Sheers would let the light in and still provide a some privacy.

    Put potted plants in front of your window.

    There are plant box/seating combos that offer privacy also.