The heart of my urban garden is completely secluded from onlookers, which was one of the primary goals when constructing it. Most people don’t know that it’s even there until they are invited in. Short of installing a tall, imposing fence, you can achieve this kind of screening through a combination of structures and plant placement.

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How to Effectively Use Tropical Plants in Cool Climates

Gorgeous Vines for Shade and Privacy

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3 Ways to Create Privacy Without a Fence

1. Arbors Draped in Vines Can Create a Nearly Impenetrable Screen

An arbor toward the middle of the garden is connected by a lintel beam to the side of the house (see above). This structure provides the largest source of privacy in my garden. It’s draped in thick vines that are allowed to intertwine and largely run wild.

2. Trees and Shrubs Placed in Strategic Sight Lines Create the Next Level of Shielding

The front of the garden sports some larger trees and shrubs such as beautybush (Kolkwitzia amabilis, Zones 4–8) and hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9) that, when in leaf, ensure the street and the neighbors are not visible from the heart of the garden. But even during winter, evergreens such as Japanese white pines (Pinus parviflora, Zones 5–7) provide screening.

3. Sometimes, Privacy Is Relative

I chose not to create a barrier between my patio with the outdoor couch and my neighbors’ abutting windows because the space is so narrow that it felt rude (see below). An inclusive attitude prevailed, and I decided that I wanted them to be able to enjoy the garden as I do. However, my back porch is screened off with a combination of containers, window boxes, and vines to provide a bit more seclusion.

Photography by Tracy Walsh photo unless stated otherwise.

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Johnny’s Selected Seeds Connecta® Cultivation Kit

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These shears have a distinctive finger rest that not only aids grip but allows greater freedom of movement than a conventional handle design. They have a durable powder-coat finish to resist rust and wear, and a simple clasp that locks the spring-action stainless-steel blades closed. The set includes one pair of round-nose shears measuring 5 1/2" overall with 1" blades for cutting stems up to 3/8" in diameter, and one pair of 6 1/2" needle-nose shears with 2" fine-tip blades for precise work.

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DeWalt Variable-Speed Cordless Reciprocating Saw

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You can fit a variety of blades to this saw to cut fallen branches or prune larger limbs from trees in a pinch. It’s fast, tough, easy to use, and extremely versatile.
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