IF you want extra privacy in your garden but can’t afford to splash the cash on a posh privacy fence, fear not, we’ve got you covered.
It turns out that grass – yes, you heard that correctly – is the secret to stopping your garden from being overlooked.
If your neighbours are constantly peering into your garden, we’ve got just the thing for you[/caption]
According to landscape design guru Pollyanna Wilkinson, Pampas grass can add privacy to your space[/caption]
She also swore by Miscanthus grass, which you can nab for just £9.99[/caption]
And thanks to advice from landscape design guru Pollyanna Wilkinson, you can nab a £9.99 buy that will ensure your neighbours can’t peep through into your outside space.
On a recent podcast episode of The Ins & Outs, Jojo Barr from House Nine Design was joined by Pollyanna, from Garden Design, and shared advice on adding privacy to your garden, without breaking the bank or starting a mega DIY project.
It comes after one listener wrote in and explained: “I’ve just got my first ever garden and oh my God it was in a state.
“We are in London so privacy isn’t great, awkward walls and slopes making it easy for people to see in.
“I’d appreciate any recommendations.”
To this, Pollyanna shared: “Grasses for privacy – the grasses I recommend come in at about 1.2 to two metres. Unless you went with Pampas grass.”
The garden pro explained that Miscanthus grass, which is very affordable, can make your space feel more private.
She continued: “Grasses that are really great, if you’ve got a seating area that you want to feel enclosed, some of my favourites are Miscanthus, which tends to be quite a tall grass, about two metres, so the height of a fully-grown human.
“You could have ‘Morning Light’ which is quite a pale leaf grass or Gracillimus, which has got really beautiful tassels, like silk tassels on curtain tie-backs.
“Or you could go for a Panicum, Panicum is more upright.
“Those are all going to do a really lovely effect of immersing you in a space.
“So hopefully that can give you some privacy.”
October gardening jobs
The Sun’s Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the jobs you need to tackle in October.
“It’s a good time to trim deciduous hedges – like box, yew, hawthorn, hornbean and beech – plus hedge trimmers are a great upper body workout!
Make leafmould – gather up all the fallen leaves and fill either bin bags or plastic carrier bags. Seal the top, stick a few small holes in the bag – and then store for a year or more. Free compost!
It’s unlikely you’ll get any more red tomatoes so have one final harvest and chuck the plants on the compost. See if you can get the green ones to ripen by putting in a drawer (some say with a banana). Also keep the seeds from a couple – and plant again next year if they went well.
Finish getting in your spring bulbs. Ideally you’d have done daffs and alliums, but tulips are better in the ground when the soil temperature gets a bit colder.
It’s good to leave some plant litter in the ground – it adds to the nutrients as it rots down, and provides shelter and food for insects. But remove the manky brown bits collapsing all over the lawn/winter structure.
Mulch – it not only suppresses weeds, but keeps the soil warm, improves water retention and adds a little winter duvet to your outside space.
October’s a good month for carrots, peas, asparagus, broad beans, and rhubarb.”
If you don’t have the time or energy to build a privacy fence and nab yourself some Miscanthus grass for added privacy, you can order it online now for just £9.99 from Crocus.
Miscanthus grass, also known as ‘Kleine Silberspinne’ or ‘Chinese silver grass’ is a star plant for any garden.
How to create privacy in your garden
CREATING privacy in your garden can be achieved in a number of ways depending on your budget, and the size of your space. Here are some effective ways to enhance privacy in your garden:
1. Fencing
- Install a tall, solid wooden or vinyl fence. This is one of the most straightforward ways to gain immediate privacy. Or use lattice panels, trellis, or slatted fencing to add a decorative touch while still offering privacy.
2. Hedges and Plants
- Fast-growing evergreen shrubs or trees like Leylandii, Thuja, or Bamboo along the boundary of your garden can help with privacy. Grow a dense hedge using plants like Boxwood, Privet, or Laurel. It may take time to grow, but it provides a natural and green privacy screen. Use climbers like Ivy, Clematis, or Wisteria on fences or trellises to create a lush, green privacy barrier.
3. Outdoor Curtains
- Hang outdoor curtains around pergolas, gazebos, or patios for an easy-to-adjust privacy solution.
4. Sound Barriers
- A water fountain or small waterfall can help drown out noise, adding to the sense of privacy. Or install fencing designed to reduce noise if privacy from sound is also a concern.
It’s compact, and doesn’t take up too much space, but it’s also dramatic.
It features narrow, silvery leaves which have a white stripe down the centre, and masses of upright, feathery, reddish-brown plumes fade to silver in the autumn.
When the flowers catch the evening sun, the plant appears to be sitting under a silvery halo.
Not only is it beautiful, but it’s sure to keep your garden feeling protected and private too.
