Help with immediate privacy options. :(

Casselberry, FL

Just bought a new house and I didn't think this would bother me as much but it really does and it's kind of killing me a bit. The house in the picture is clearly viewing into my living room and hopefully future pool yard and I hate it. The fence in the back is about 5 foot high as my property sits a little higher and its surely a 6 ft fence. I plan to fence in my yard on the sides and put a pool in one day if I can get the privacy I need. I am looking for something about 7 foot tall to start with putting me about 2 ft over that fence and covering the first floor windows instantly. Then it would be ideal for the solution to grow fast and one day cover the second story as well. I would honestly like to block sight of completely, not something you can see through to easily. I have a budget to allow up to 5 thousand but of course would like to keep it cheaper if I can. I feel like I have to keep my blinds closed all the time now and it really sucks. Some things I have considered so far would be bamboo, pines, and shrubs but I have no idea what would be best or be able to offer a somewhat instant solution. Please offer your best suggestions.

Thank you

Thumbnail by Toof
Opp, AL(Zone 8b)

Are you close enough to the ocean to have any salt spray?

With a budget like that, you should be able to get some specimens with decent size. I see the house across the way has planted a tree. Even though it's not a dense evergreen, that's probably enough for you to not be able to see clearly into their window. What would you like to have growing? Fruit or nut trees? Something that makes pretty flowers? There's no reason to just have vague green things, they should be plants you enjoy.

The closer to the fence you plant, the less 'bulk' you'll need to block the view between houses, though you'll want to allow enough space to maintain the fence, and for air to flow through so you don't get mildew on the fence. I would encourage you to plant a staggered clump, not a straight row, but I'm not a hedge person. If you like a hedge, then it would be good for you. I might use something closer to the house also, to reinforce the block, like a beautiful rose-covered pergola or arbor, maybe a cabana for your pool.

Fast-growing entities are made of weaker wood, so not as desirable in a suburban setting where they can damage structures (or people!) when the wind blows them over, as well as leaving you back where you started - privacy gone. You definitely have a blank slate to work with, endless possibilities!

Casselberry, FL

Well as much as I love to have cool plants I really just want to block them from being able to view directly into my living room. I mean I have to keep my blinds closed and it really sucks!! Is there anything I could plant tall enough to cover the house and the second story without waiting 3 years?

Thanks so much for your input, I might do some of these things once the immediate problem is resolved. :D

We are in Orlando area too, not so close to Ocean.

Hopkinton, MA(Zone 5b)

Toof, perhaps it might be less expensive to plant a tall tree in front of the nearby 2-story home and smaller trees/shrubs nearby that could eventually grow tall. I read Empress trees can grow about 12 ft. per year and they provide up to two months of flowers, but they do lose their leaves in the winter so there wouldn't be as much cover then. They grow fastest in full sun and disturbed earth, so the location next to the fence is perfect and I assume the tree would grow very fast to cover the neighbor's window. Also, Empress trees have long tap roots that don't disturb sidewalks, therefore, you can easily plant around them without giant roots getting in the way.

However, they look tropical when they're young and like a northern tree when they're 40 ft. high, and I'm not sure if that's the style you're looking for. A lot of people plant Empress trees after looking at the mature tree pictures and then they're not happy with the lush tropical look of the sapling. Also, you could put an 8-foot reed fence in a small garden area next to your window and create an oasis in a matter of a few days and that would give you privacy at low cost and also allow time to let trees grow to block the view when strolling in the gardens outside. Your town Casselberry is zone 9 with 53 inches of rainfall per year, so I guess it will be easy for you to grow a vibrant garden with many plants to choose from. - DoGooder

This message was edited Feb 4, 2014 1:11 PM

Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b)

If you plant a row of 3 wide growing things, or 5 slightly narrower things you can have a good screen fairly fast. Think about where you want the pool. If it will be off to one side, then add more plants between the pool and the neighbor's house.

If you budget larger plants (24" box or larger) plants then you will have something right away, though it might not be full coverage.

If you get too many of something then they will crowd each other, and try to grow taller to get the light they need, and highly likely go bare or at least thin lower down. You could do mixed species that tend to grow in different areas and will work when planted closer. One may fill in lower down while the other grows up higher before spreading out.
If you have more room then think about a double row of plants. Perhaps 3 -5 trees and between and in front of them some large shrubs, or vines on the fence. Again, the combination should provide faster coverage right away without the plants competing as much, so they ought to stay denser over the years.

A tree with the main branching starting around 5' high, and spreading with some upward angle would allow you to walk under it.
A vine on the fence may actually grow higher than the fence by at least a foot.

The future pool should be taken into consideration. As mentioned by DoGooder, you want plants with deep roots, not surface roots that you would have to cut when you put in the pool. That could kill the plants.

Here are a few ideas. All of them are evergreen, reasonably clean for a pool. I have avoided the fastest growing plants, because they are often short lived, or have aggressive roots that you do not want near a pool. Check compatibility for your zone:
Elaeocarpus decipiens- moderate rate, dense, easy to garden under. Grows as a spreading tree, though narrower for a few years.
Prunus caroliniana- Somewhat faster, dense, easy to garden under. Grows as a somewhat narrow shrub, eventually as a tree. You can probably find them in a large box well on their way to being a tree.
Citrus- many varieties. Moderate rate, very dense, a bit messy if you do not pick up the fruit, but otherwise neat. There are small and larger trees, and large shrubs (also dwarfs- but you want something larger) Oranges and Grapefruits are the larger trees, probably the best for the screening. Other Citrus stay lower and might fit in as 'somewhat smaller plants filling in between the trees'.
Magnolia- Many species and varieties of evergreens (not all species are evergreen), mostly trees. You will have to research which are available in your area. Most are not as dense, but fairly clean, easy to garden under. Leaves of most are so large they do not cause problems with a pool- easy to net out.
Viburnum- There are some species that grow as small trees or large shrubs. Some are a bit tender in my area, so I am not so familiar with them.
Pittosporum- Several species such as P. tennuifolium, P. eugenoides, P. tobira and others. Might be a bit messier than some, still, not too bad. Dense or airy, depending on species. Some have fragrant flowers. Make sure they are not hanging over the pool. These are more shrub-like or multi-trunked when grown as trees.
Feijoa sellowiana- Fairly dense, not too messy, though I would not put it right over the pool. Not too fast, though. May tend to be irregular in shape.

Vines: Almost all vines will grow a bit higher than the fence. Whatever grows in your area.
Most of the trumpet vines, Passion vines or Honeysuckle would be possibilities.
I would avoid Campsis radicans and Halls Honeysuckle- very invasive,

I am not so familiar with all the many tropical plants that will grow in Florida, but freeze here. If you take this list to a good nursery, and include the picture they may well have other ideas about good plants for your zone.

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