Top Trees for Screening: Privacy and Beauty

Creating a natural screen in your garden not only provides privacy but also adds structure and beauty to your outdoor space. Whether you're looking to block unsightly views or reduce noise and wind, choosing the right trees and shrubs for screening is essential. In this guide, we present some of the best screening trees and shrubs for UK gardens, detailing their features, ideal growing conditions, and practical uses.

Why Choose Screening Trees and Shrubs?

A natural screen made from trees and shrubs can transform your garden. It provides:

• Enhanced Privacy: Dense foliage creates a living wall that obscures unwanted views.
• Wind and Noise Reduction: A well-planted screen can act as a barrier against wind and even reduce noise from busy streets.
• Year-Round Interest: Evergreen varieties offer continuous coverage, while deciduous options provide seasonal colour and texture.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, many screening plants require minimal upkeep compared to artificial structures.

Top Screening Trees and Shrubs

1. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Description:
An evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves, white spring flowers, and red to black fruit in autumn, Cherry Laurel is a popular choice for creating dense hedges.

Ideal Conditions:
Grows best in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil; tolerates sun or partial shade.

Maximum Height:
Approximately 5-8 metres.

Use:
Perfect for hedging and pleaching, offering excellent privacy and an attractive appearance.

2. Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)

Description:
This tall, slender evergreen tree has a distinctive Mediterranean look that adds elegance to any garden.

Ideal Conditions:
Thrives in well-drained soil and can be grown in sun or partial shade.

Maximum Height:
Grows up to around 10 metres.

Use:
Ideal for small gardens or to provide a vertical screen that can block views of tall buildings.

3. Holm Oak (Quercus ilex)

Description:
The Holm Oak is a robust evergreen tree with holly-like leaves. It is exceptionally tolerant of various soil types and environmental conditions, making it suitable for both coastal and urban areas.

Ideal Conditions:
Adaptable to most soils; performs well in coastal and urban settings.

Maximum Height:
Can reach up to 25 metres, though it can be pruned for screening purposes.

Use:
Provides a dense, natural screen when pruned properly, and its tough foliage ensures year-round coverage.

4. English Holly (Ilex aquifolium)

Description:
A classic evergreen with spiny leaves and striking red berries, English Holly offers both beauty and practicality in creating a screen.

Ideal Conditions:
Prefers moist, well-drained soil and performs well in both sun and shade.

Maximum Height:
Grows up to 15 metres.

Use:
Great for winter interest and can be clipped to form a neat, formal screen.

5. Photinia (Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin')

Description:
This versatile evergreen shrub or small tree is renowned for its dramatic red new leaves, which provide an eye-catching display throughout the year.

Ideal Conditions:
Grows best in sun or partial shade with moist, well-drained soil.

Maximum Height:
Typically reaches up to 4 metres.

Use:
Ideal for pleaching or creating urban screens where space is at a premium.

6. Magnolia Grandiflora

Description:
Magnolia Grandiflora is an evergreen tree known for its large, leathery leaves and impressive, cup-shaped flowers.

Ideal Conditions:
Requires moist, well-drained soil and performs well in both sun and partial shade.

Maximum Height:
Grows between 10-12 metres.

Use:
Provides effective privacy above fences or walls, while also adding an ornamental touch.

7. Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)

Description:
This evergreen conifer is prized for its dense, aromatic foliage.

Ideal Conditions:
Thrives in well-drained soils with exposure to sun or light shade.

Maximum Height:
Reaches 20-25 metres.

Use:
Highly effective for dense screening, creating a natural wall that is both attractive and practical.

Additional Screening Options

Pleached Trees:
Trees trained to grow on a single stem are ideal for extending fence height without needing planning permission.

Privet Varieties:
Varieties such as Japanese Privet and Chinese Privet are low-maintenance and effective for screening, offering quick, dense coverage.

Our Final Thoughts

Choosing the right screening trees and shrubs can greatly enhance the privacy, beauty, and functionality of your garden. From the evergreen charm of Cherry Laurel and English Holly to the stately elegance of Italian Cypress and Holm Oak, there is a screening solution for every garden style. Explore our range of trees and shrubs to create your perfect natural screen, and transform your outdoor space into a serene and private retreat.