In addition to shielding your backyard from view, privacy plants are a great way to add more greenery to your landscaping. Privacy plantings can help you enjoy your outdoor space with peace of mind. In addition to onlookers, they also help block noise and wind – making your backyard a more peaceful environment. Here are some tips for incorporating privacy plants into your landscaping:

1. Select the right plants for privacy in your backyard
The first thing you should do when choosing plants of any kind is find out what is known to grow well in your area. The fastest way to do this is to use your zip code to look up your climate zone online. You can then search for privacy plants that are tagged for your zone.

Another tip in choosing the right plants is selecting two to three species of privacy plants, which can help prevent your hedge from being overtaken by disease or insects. Here are some examples of plant varieties commonly used to create living privacy fences:

• Evergreen trees: Leyland cypress, holly, cherry Laurel, thuja
• Shrubs: Chinese privet, yew, arborvitae, Yaupon holly
• Vines: crossvine,English ivy, honeysuckle, Boston ivy, jasmine

You can use both slow-growing and fast-growing plants for your privacy hedge. The densest, most effective privacy plantings are often slow-growing. Rather than waiting for them to reach their full growth potential, you can intersperse them with fast-growing plants that will provide privacy in the meantime. When you are satisfied with the size of the slow-growing plants, you can remove the fillers.

2. Determine where you are going to put your privacy plants
You should take these four factors into account when deciding where to place your privacy plants:

• Growth potential: Research the size your privacy plants can reach at maturity. Fast-growing plants, such as the Leyland cypress, can grow to be 70 feet tall and 20 feet wide. Make sure you have enough space to accommodate the full growth potential of the privacy plantings you select. Place them far enough apart so they have room to grow and get adequate sunlight, but close enough together so they still provide privacy. Evergreens, shrubs and vines generally need to be planted a minimum of six, four and two feet apart, respectively.
• Property lines: Know exactly where your property lines are, and don’t plant too close to them. Put your privacy plants in places where they can grow to maturity without crossing onto a neighbor’s property.
• City ordinances: Check your local ordinances for rules regarding privacy plantings. Some cities place a maximum height on hedges. Make sure you have the right lawn trimmer parts to maintain your privacy plants according to your city’s standards.
• Utility lines: Find out where your utility lines are so you can avoid hitting them when you are digging spaces for your privacy plants.

3. Maintaining your privacy plants
Keeping your privacy plantings well-manicured can improve the overall look of your backyard landscaping. If your hedges are near a property line or are subject to height limitations, they may require more frequent trimming. Having equipment with quality parts, such as sharp MTD blades, will make maintaining your privacy plants easier.