I've always thought of privacy planting as a necessary evil. Rather than being based on aesthetics, this style of gardening generally relies on the imperative of seclusion, giving it an overly manicured and rigid sensibility. This is distinctly not the case at Ina Garten's home in East Hampton.
I spotted the Barefoot Contessa's take on planting for privacy in an archival image from 2008, and it's absolutely stunning. Ina's front yard garden includes four rounded topiaries, a red maple tree bursting with color, and low ground cover like lavender. Medium height hydrangeas add a small burst of color.
So, what is so alluring about her garden screening idea to me? First, I love how Ina captures the perfect balance between manicured and wild. The image of privacy planting in my head is massive topiaries and towering bamboo, but Ina's landscape feels intentionally casual. Her tree is unshaped, and the hydrangeas seem to come out of nowhere, planted purely for their beauty.
Ina Garten's East Hampton home
As an extension of this balance, I love that Ina's garden idea is asymmetrical. Though the topiary bushes are positioned on either side of the arched doorway
Shop the Privacy Planting Edit
No matter where you live or what your home looks like, you can create a similar look with simple, easy-to-care for plants. Here are my top picks.
This beautiful, verdant ivy plant would be the perfect complement to a wild garden. It looks gorgeous climbing on an antique-style white house. There are enough seeds in the pack to ensure you create a beautiful display.
These Felco pruning shears have hardened blades for effortless trimming in your yard, making light work of tough rose pruning jobs. They're essential in every kind of garden. Furthermore, our in-house master gardener, Thom Rutter believes that they are some of the best pruners on the market. Ideal for pruning your ivy.
Japanese Boxwoods are low-maintenance, and provide structure and formality over a long period. They are a fantastic option for garden novices and make great privacy screens when planted together. Plus, they're green all year round to keep your home protected even in the winter months.
I also love how the curves of Ina's front of house shrubs emphasize the architectural features of her home; the rounded bushes imitate the curves of her arched garden doorways. Breaking it up with a pop of red from the small tree keeps the planting from appearing too formulaic.
Furthermore, if you want to emulate Ina's look this autumn, now is the perfect moment to start digging.
Julian Palphramand, Head of Plants at British Garden Centres, explains: 'September is a wonderful time to get planting. By picking the right mix of perennials, you can enjoy a garden that’s full of changing colours and gentle fragrance from the first signs of spring right through to the end of autumn.'
Privacy planting needn't fit into a single tired script; with the right inspiration, it can be creative and visually appealing. From the Hamptons to the West Coast, it's all about leaning in to your personal taste.
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