The Best Privacy Plants for Balconies, Decks, and Patios
In this article, we’ll explore all the things you need to consider before choosing the right privacy plants, and we’ll also give you some great options to help you narrow down your choices. If you’re looking to create privacy with plants on your balcony, deck, or patio, we’re here to help! Before we get started, it’s important to understand the differences between a patio, deck, and balcony, and how that will affect your choices for plants and privacy. There’s no need to explicitly define each of these structures, as you should already know if you have a balcony, deck, or patio.
1. Lavender
Lavender is a wonderful drought-tolerant plant that works well as a natural privacy screen. Not all lavenders are as small as those found in railing gardens, so you can easily find varieties that reach up to three feet tall. Lavender is suitable for hardiness zones 5 to 9.
2. Hydrangea
Hydrangea blooms beautifully all summer, often into fall. There are many varieties, so you can get the right size for your balcony space, and this plant will tolerate partial shade. Of course, if you plant it in the ground next to your deck or patio, you will get a much larger plant. This plant is suitable for hardiness zones 3 to 9.
3. Hollyhocks
Hollyhock is a perennial flowering plant suitable for hardiness zones 3 to 9. You will need to keep it out of the wind, so keep that in mind. A hollyhock can grow to over 12 feet tall, and you can get them with uniquely colored flowers for your privacy screen. You can plant hollyhocks on balconies, but they will be contained if you grow them in a container.
4. Bamboo
Bamboo is a fast-growing plant in most situations, so it is a good choice if you want a fast-growing natural privacy screen. Most bamboos come from temperate climates, but you can find some hardier, cold-resistant varieties from the mountains if you need them. There’s nothing stopping you from planting bamboo around your patio (in theory). In some areas, bamboo is considered an invasive plant, meaning you can’t plant it at all. If you want to plant it in the ground, choose a clumping variety rather than a trailing one.
5. Pampas Grass
Pampas grass comes in many varieties, and the hardiest ones grow in zones 5 to 9. This plant has a distinctive tuft of foliage on top in the summer and fall. Since it’s a grass, pampas grows quickly and does well in containers. This plant also tolerates sea salt spray. Keep in mind that if you plant it directly in the ground, you’ll need to cut it back heavily in the fall. So, you’ll lose some privacy in the winter.
6. Fountain Grass
Fountain grass is another option if you live in hardiness zone 5 or warmer. This grass displays beautiful colors throughout the warmer months. It adds an airy quality to your balcony, deck, or patio any time of year. You can also place it in a trellis garden.
7. Hanging Plants
Since there are many types that will work on a balcony depending on your needs, we’re going to include hanging plants as their own category here. Some types of hanging plants, like ivy and pothos, are ideal for balcony privacy. You’ll need something to hang them on, which rules out uncovered outdoor spaces.
8. Arborvitae
Arborvitae is a type of coniferous shrub that grows well in containers. You can prune them to suit your space, and some varieties will grow up to ten feet tall. This shrub is cold and drought tolerant, and is generally hardy, as it can survive in zones 3 to 7. Planting them directly in the ground will allow them to reach their full growth potential, but the maintenance can be more difficult.
9. Indian Hawthorn
Indian Hawthorn is a shrub that produces pinkish-white flowers. While most people plant it in the ground, it can also thrive in a container and can be pruned into any shape you like. These balcony privacy plants will only survive in warmer climates, with hardiness zones 7 to 10.
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