Nicole Kidman Uses a Genius Two-Tier Planting Trick to Ensure Total Backyard Privacy – It’s the Ultimate 2026 Small-Space Solution
The actress relies on layered evergreens for year-round seclusion – and landscaping experts say this technique is the smartest way to garden in 2026
Privacy is a luxury we often crave in our gardens, but few understand the importance of a secluded sanctuary quite like Nicole Kidman. To protect her personal space, the Big Little Lies actress uses a strategic planting method that works beautifully in any yard, regardless of size.
In the third photo of the carousel below, Kidman showcases the boxwood – also known as Common Boxwood or Buxus sempervirens – a glossy evergreen and a top choice for those seeking the best plants for privacy. Above the boxwood, she has selected what looks like a Ficus Nitida – Ficus 'Indian Laurel' – a hedge famously popular for screening in Southern California.
Article continues belowShop the Nicole Kidman-Inspired Garden Edit
Ficus is one of the most popular privacy hedges in Los Angeles and Southern California. Fast-growing, upright, and evergreen, they stay lush and green all year round.
The American Boxwood Shrub is a dependable favorite. Easily shaped and trained, it makes a striking foundation hedge when planted in a row or adds year-round privacy and greenery when lined along your porch.
A personal favorite for climbing plants is vining hydrangea, and these options from Amazon do not disappoint. The lush, fluffy blooms on sturdy vines create a beautiful, full-bodied look.
The classic American Arborvitae is the perfect starting point for emulating the look of Nicole Kidman’s home. Its rich green foliage and climbing habit make it ideal for vertical gardens and adding height to any outdoor space.
Bring timeless elegance to your yard with these classic English Boxwoods. One of the most widely grown evergreen landscape shrubs in the world, they are perfect for creating refined, structured greenery throughout your garden.
These Wintergreen Boxwood Shrubs are versatile and ideal for topiary designs, bonsai, or decorative pots. Growing just 2 to 3 inches per year and reaching about 3 feet tall with a 4- to 5-foot spread, they offer year-round beauty with minimal maintenance.
'The Common Boxwood, also known as American Boxwood, is a multi-branched, evergreen shrub. This plant is low-maintenance and adaptable to different soil and light conditions. Although its mature height can reach up to 15 to 20 feet, you can keep it much shorter through pruning,' Nikolic says. 'This plant also loves well-draining soil, and you can add a few inches of mulch to protect its roots from getting hot and dry since they are shallow.'
This mulch is particularly vital as the weather warms up toward summer, ensuring the roots remain cool while the foliage stays low-maintenance. With the right care, these plants provide privacy year-round. 'Since it's an evergreen plant, it will give you privacy around the year with its glossy dark green leaves. It has many cultivars of different heights, so you can pick the one that suits your space the best,' Nikolic explains.
For those looking to add a touch of seasonal color as the year progresses, Nikolic also suggests the American Arborvitae, which is an excellent shrub for the front of the house.
'American Arborvitae (available at Amazon) is a pyramidal-shaped evergreen tree from the Cypress family. It has dense, scale-like leaves that are dark green on the upper surface and lighter green on the underside, and during the winter, the leaves have a beautiful bronze hue, Nikolic says.
'While its crown can reach between 15 and 40 feet, dwarf varieties like 'Rheingold' or 'Wareana Lutescens' are perfect for smaller plots. This hardy plant thrives in moist, well-drained loams and prefers a sunny spot over full shade to maintain its dense privacy screen.'
Whether you are looking to create a peaceful sanctuary for your family or simply want a quiet place to enjoy the fresh air, this layered approach is the ultimate way to elevate your garden’s seclusion in 2026.
