• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Garden design
  • Container gardening
  • Food to grow
  • Gardens to visit
  • Events for gardeners
Garden Making

Garden Making

Inspiring ideas and information for great home gardens

Home » Planting trees for privacy

Planting trees for privacy

By Beckie Fox Filed Under: Garden Newsletter

A frequent design conundrum for gardeners with a small space is how to create privacy without resorting to a fortress of wooden fencing. Admittedly, fencing might be the best option if the safety of children and pets is a priority. However, if security isn’t the issue, planting a few well-placed columnar trees can create a lovely green screen to block an unattractive view or muffle the sounds of car and pedestrian traffic.

“Using trees to screen an unattractive view” describes how narrow, upright trees can be an effective solution. The article includes lists of fastigiate deciduous and coniferous trees for sun or semi-shade, as well as how to source and plant them.

An example of cedars used to screen a seating area from sidewalk traffic. An attractive metal trellis with vines adds another layer of privacy.

They’re back

I haven’t seen them yet, but apparently my nemesis — Japanese beetles — are here, according to this report. As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve just about given up growing roses, one of their favourite delicacies. 

The Laidback Gardener in Quebec has complied a list of 107 (!) of their favourite snacks. Those of you who garden in beetle territory may want to consult it before plant shopping.


Pollinating with bubbles

A recent New York Times article describes ongoing research that uses bubbles — similar to the bubbles children play with — to aid pollination. Scientists have found the pollen-laced bubbles can pollinate fruit almost as well as bees, and it’s an easier process than other methods, such as pollen-spraying equipment or labour-intensive hand pollination.


A different kind of binge watching

David Hobson’s “In the Garden” columns in the Ontario Waterloo Region Record are known to bring a smile and a knowing nod. “It’s the start of an all-new series that runs from now until fall,” he writes in a recent column. “And it’s just like TV when I’m saying to myself, ‘Who is that actor?’ ”


One of each, please

These are definitely going on my “wish list.” This is from the Twitter account of Paul Gellatly @TattoodGardener. Gellatly is Director of Horticulture at Toronto Botanical Garden.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Share this article

Published: July 2, 2020 | Updated: July 2, 2020

About Beckie Fox

Beckie is Editor of Garden Making. She is a Master Gardener and published author in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

Garden Making website

explore

  • Books for gardeners
  • Containers in your garden
  • Events for gardeners
  • Food to grow
  • Garden design
  • Gardens to visit
  • Growing from seed
  • How to
  • Plant ideas
  • Prizes for readers
  • Tips for gardeners

Members

  • Member login
  • Register for free membership
  • Manage your email preferences
  • Add your event listing
  • View events you’ve submitted
  • Backup form to submit event

Events for gardeners

May 20
May 20 @ 10:30 am - May 22 @ 6:00 pm

Ottawa Horticultural Society Spring Plant Auction

May 21
7:30 am - 10:30 am

Plant Sale

May 21
8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Ancaster plant sale

May 21
9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Credit Valley plant sale

May 21
9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Durham & District Horticultural Society Plant Sale

View Calendar

Get email updates

Join 9,701 gardeners who get our email updates. We do not share emails.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Copyright © 2022 Inspiring Media Inc. | GARDEN MAKING is a registered trademark | About | Service | Terms of use | Privacy policy