Screen off your garden... and escape the chaos

Privacy is one of humankind’s most simple, but very important basic needs. Even more so in today’s crowded living environment where we find ourselves craving quiet space and seclusion. Outdoor living in our country is extremely popular because our climate offers long outdoor evenings with beautiful sunsets.

How more private can we get outdoors than in our back yard? Mostly our back yards are either a private area to entertain our guests, or they are a total mess that we do not want anyone to see. Also, security consciousness and high crime rates have caused us to surround ourselves with high walls and unsightly security fencing.

There are many ways to create natural screening to have privacy in the garden. Using either climbers or even shrubs that can be trained into a natural fence will create a peaceful and private atmosphere. The pool area or outdoor entertainment area can naturally become more private by simply incorporating hedging, climbers, shrubs or even trees that can add to the feel of a private area, when utilized wisely.

An outdoor private nook with a garden bench or some other seating can easily be made cosy and private by designing with the correct plant material. Softening harsh concrete and steel by using creepers or hedges, or hiding unsightly equipment, plumbing and/or swimming pool pumps by using plants, is a clever option.

Climbers ideal for our climate:
Self-clinging:
Hedera canariensis/H. helix (Ivy)
Parthenocissus quinquefolia/P. tricuspidate (Boston ivy/Virginian creeper)
Ficus pumila/Tickey creeper

Climbers to be supported:
Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmin)
Jasminum polyanthum (Pink Jasmin)
Bougainvillea
Mandevilla and Dipladenia varieties
Chlerodendron thomsoniae (Bleeding Heart)
Pandorea jasminoides
Climbing roses (Banksia)
Thunbergia alata/T. grandiflora (Black-eyed Susan)
Wisteria sinensis (Blue Rain)
Petrea volubilis (Sandpiper Vine)
Pyrostegia venusta (Golden Shower)
Gelsemium sempervirens (Golden Trumpet)

Hedges for our climate:
Viburnum species
Durantha species
Abelia x grandiflora Francis Mason
Myrtus communis (Wild Buchu)
Buxus sempervirens (Box Elder)
Carissa macrocarpa (Natal Plum)
Portulacaria afra (Spekboom)
Olea europaea sub spp. africana (Wild Olive)
Callistemon vim. endeavour (Bottle Brush)
Pyracantha species
Syzygium paniculata (Australian Cherry)
Rhus crenata
Dodonaea viscosa (Sand Olive)
Ligustrum aurea (Golden Privit)
Dovyalis caffra (Kei Apple)
Plumbago auriculata
Photinia × fraseri (Red Robin)

Using a large selection of plants one can easily soften unsightly barriers or corner off small private nooks or just create a welcoming, private entertainment area in your garden.

Privatize your ideal outdoor space with relaxing living green foliage and flower colour.



Pupkewitz Megabuild:
Eugene le Roux
Horticulturist
Cell: 081 124 6965