The Ultimate Guide to Garden Privacy: 5 Must-Have Screening Plants

A request for screening is one of the more common garden goals that clients have when they approach us about a landscape design.  Whether it’s to provide privacy, hide unsightly views or to blur – or define – boundaries, screening can make a big difference to your garden enjoyment. The right selection of plants can not only shield you from prying eyes but also delight your senses with colour, scent, and vibrant foliage. Ensure your garden acts as your own personal retreat with these five fabulous plants and elevate your outdoor space.

Callistemon - Bottlebrush

Callistemons are an Aussie favourite and Callistemon ‘Slim’ is a great choice if you’re looking for a plant that is sleek and slender. Reaching around 3m tall and approximately 1.3m spread, it’s an excellent choice for fences and boundaries, driveways, narrow garden beds or other areas where space is at a premium. Their colourful bottlebrush-like flowers will bring personality to your garden as well as the added bonus of attracting birds, pollinators and other wildlife. If you’re looking for a native plant that will bring colour and life as well as help with screening, then look no further as this one ticks all the boxes!

Elaeocarpus reticulatus – Blueberry Ash

If you’re looking for a lush green backdrop for your garden, consider Elaeocarpus reticulatus ‘Prima Donna’. A Queensland rainforest tree, it’s a compact evergreen. Fast growing, with dense foliage, growing to approximately 6m tall. It has pretty little bell-shaped pink flowers that are followed by blue berries which are bird attracting. For something even smaller, look at Prima Donna’s sister, ‘Green Dream’. This tree grows to around 3m tall and the spread is around 2m, but could be even smaller with pruning if you wanted to maintain a narrower form. Both are great choices for a small suburban garden.

Syzygiums – Lilly Pilly

A classic choice for privacy hedges, Lilly Pilly is a native gem. These fast-growing trees have glossy green leaves, fluffy flowers, and colourful berries. They’re resilient, cope well with pruning, and there are several varieties to choose from, making them a versatile option for any garden. Syzygium luehmanii x wilsonii ‘Cascade’ is a particular favourite with it’s weeping foliage. It features pink new growth that gradually fades to green, has pink pom pom-like flowers and attractive pink berries (which tones in nicely with a grey and white Hamptons themed home!). With a height of 3m and a spread of 1.5-2m, this could be the perfect choice to screen a fence or narrow garden bed. Other cultivars like ‘Straight and Narrow’ also make a great natural barrier without taking up too much space - 5-8m tall and only 1-1.5m spread. Perfect if you’re overlooked by nosy neighbours!

Heliconias

Heliconias are a beautiful lush tropical looking plant. Banana-like leaves give it an exotic appearance and their flowers are very dramatic, often in bold colours. Hot Rio Nights has become a landscaping favourite with a height of 3-4m. This is a clumping variety of heliconia with an upright growth habit and beautiful red flowers that are long lasting. It’s a fast grower and will provide a good screen very quickly. Plant with other leafy tropicals to create a more vibrant and interesting screen that soon blocks out a boring fence.  

Viburnum: An excellent choice for privacy screens, Viburnum species like Viburnum odoratissimum and Viburnum tinus offer dense foliage and can grow in full sun to part shade. They’re quite hardy and can provide a lovely, thick green barrier. Viburnum odoratissimum ‘Dense Fence’ and ‘Quick Fence’ are great options for those looking for a hedge that will be fast growing.

Although taller screening options might be considered the heroes, don’t forget about ground covers and smaller shrubs to complete your garden scene. Mix it up with different textures, colours, and heights for a more dynamic and visually interesting natural barrier. Native grasses, ferns, and ground covers can add texture and interest, fill in gaps, and create a cohesive look. Heliconias and cordylines will look even better when other lower growing leafy tropicals are added in to the mix.   

Plants add warmth, texture, and life to any space. Choosing the right screening plants for your South East Queensland garden can transform your outdoor space into a private, green haven.

Ready to turn your backyard dreams into reality? Contact us today to discuss your garden design project.