Proximity to neighbors often means a lack of privacy, especially visual. Several landscaping solutions give the possibility of remedying this, including in winter, in order to avoid installing a window treatment only to hide.
Posted at 12:00 p.m.
For the past twenty years, new constructions have been erected on ever smaller plots. “The advent of townhouses has created greater proximity, so people are looking for privacy,” notes Marc Lacasse, real estate broker and president of the Association professionnelle des courtiers immobiliers du Québec (APCIQ). “If I show you a house and you feel like you’re at the neighbor’s house when you go outside, you may not want to buy it or you will think about the additional costs necessary to be more isolated”, he continues, adding that the purchase offer could then be reduced in order to cover these costs, which therefore has an impact on the value of the property.
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New condos have been built to the right of the lot. “The stem hydrangeas will grow and they will cover the empty part between the top of the fence and the tree trunks on the other side, since they will also grow”, explains the landscape architect of Topia.
According to him, people who buy in the winter do not fail to check that the courtyard is intimate so that they can enjoy it quietly in the summer.
For some, the total privacy of the garden is an essential criterion. This is also the case for those who own an animal. “More and more people have dogs or chickens, which requires a fenced yard,” notes Mr. Lacasse, who recommends not forgetting to request authorization from his city and his condominium, if necessary, before undertaking exterior modifications including plants, since these developments are subject to regulations.
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The generous volume of the grasses makes it possible to hide elements in width. Next to them, the Japanese maple will lose its red leaves, but its branches will give a different perspective towards the horizon.
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A dark railing coordinated with the garden fence overhangs the brick wall to better isolate the composite terrace space (Azek).
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Constructed or vegetal screen?
There are many possibilities to hide from the neighborhood or to visually eliminate an element that bothers us. “The choice always depends on the objective; this is what will determine whether to go more towards plants or towards something that is built”, specifies Jocelyn Lussier, landscape architect, horticulturist and president of Topia.
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The railing conceals the heat pump. “The screen’s metal, laser-cut to create patterns, becomes even more attractive when lighting is applied to it,” says Jocelyn Lussier.
The screens, built more or less high, have the advantage of instantly creating intimacy and their impact in width is limited. They are therefore well suited to small grounds as well as balconies or terraces and come in different styles in wood, composite or metal.
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Jocelyn Lussier, landscape architect, horticulturist and president of Topia
You can also run climbing plants on a trellis or a blind wall on which wires are stretched, especially if you don’t have much space.
Jocelyn Lussier, landscape architect, horticulturist and president of Topia
“Vine, wisteria, Boston ivy give superb results and even if they lose their leaves in winter, their twisted branches will form a magnificent structure over the years,” he adds.
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The owners of this yard located in Rosemont previously had a house with a large, very private lot. “They ended up with neighbors above and to the sides; there was therefore a crying need to create intimacy everywhere,” says Jocelyn Lussier, from Topia.
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The pergola (SunLouvre Pergolas) is equipped with tilting slats to protect against the rain. It also allows homeowners to hide from the eyes of neighbors upstairs when they settle in the fireplace area or the built-in spa (Aqua Innovation). The original fence has been extended to maximize privacy and dyed white to give the effect of grandeur.
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The storage erected on the balcony hides from the neighbor in addition to embedding the heat pump.
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Plants that grow tall
In recent years, the landscape gardener has noted a proliferation of new varieties to hide in height, width or both, depending on the needs. “Some grow tall without becoming very large, which avoids taking up too much space in a small space. Several can be planted together to make an erect group. »
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The cedars planted along the white fence will bring a lot of privacy to the yard in summer and winter when they are bigger.
Conifers steal the show in winter, since they retain their needles or foliage. This is the case of the famous cedar (commonly called cedar in Canada), whose shades of green, textures and dimensions differ according to the variety. “You can play with several varieties to create contrasts. For example, combining “Yellow Ribbon” cedars, junipers [genévriers] and spruce gives magnificent mixtures of colours, volumes and textures in all seasons”, assures Jocelyn Lussier.
Many conifers can grow very tall and still be narrow. Among the juniper family, some grow vertically, while others grow mostly wide, such as the Rocky Mountain juniper.
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In this yard located in Laval, the side of the neighboring house is close to the property line. “The idea was to forget about this not very aesthetic façade. So we planted different conifers (columnar spruce, false cypress, golden cedar, “Emerald” cedar, juniper) to vary the textures, tones and volumes,” says Jocelyn Lussier.
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Basically, the tree loses its leaves in winter, but its branches create movement.
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Columned oaks are perfect for hiding from direct view at the neighbor’s house or camouflaging an unsightly element such as an electric pole.
Window with a view… of the neighbors
If the large glass openings promote beautiful natural light in the house, they also reveal its interior. Planting an evergreen tree, which will grow tall and dense enough, helps maintain privacy.
This is the case of the “Crimson Spire” oak, whose purple-orange foliage is splendid in the fall, and of the “Blue Heaven” juniper with its pyramidal habit, whose sky-blue foliage is very attractive. Finally, berry trees, such as the “Fairview” juniper, bring a very pleasant poetic touch.
Good to know
Dense plants, such as a cedar hedge, reduce noise. They therefore contribute to both visual and sound tranquility.
While they are often small when purchased, trees grow quickly and it is important to learn how to prune them and how often to maintain their shape.