Privacy plants for balconies — screen out prying eyes

Neighbours too close, a busy street, prying eyes: on a balcony, a living screen is the most beautiful way to regain privacy. Unlike reed fencing or fabric, it filters the wind, cools the air in summer, attracts pollinators and changes with the seasons. Non-invasive bamboo, evergreen climbers, dense shrubs or tall grasses: there is a plant for every balcony, in sun or shade.

Non-invasive bamboo

Fargesia are the ideal balcony bamboos: they grow in clumps without invasive rhizomes, stay green all year and form a light screen that rustles in the wind. Fargesia 'Moontears', compact and dense, suits small balconies; very hardy Fargesia rufa forms a taller, more open clump. Plant them in large containers, in partial shade or sun, and water regularly.

Evergreen climbers

Trained on a trellis, they cover a wall or railing all year round. Star jasmine ('Star of Venice' white, 'Star of Ibiza' pink, 'Star of Toscana' yellow) scents the balcony in early summer. Clematis armandii, white or pink 'Apple Blossom', flowers and perfumes from late winter. Lonicera henryi stays green in every season, while semi-evergreen honeysuckle 'Halliana' is one of the most fragrant. Finally, ivies, green or variegated, form a dense screen even in shade.

Screening shrubs

Laurustinus (Viburnum tinus) is an evergreen shrub with dense foliage that flowers white or pink in midwinter. Pyracantha, or firethorn, is easy to train against a wall; its thorns are a deterrent and its orange or yellow berries brighten autumn and winter.

A curtain of foliage for summer

To cover a trellis quickly, choose vigorous deciduous climbers: Virginia creepers, which blaze red in autumn, Clematis montana, smothered in flowers in spring, and passion flowers with their spectacular blooms. Among grasses, Miscanthus 'Strictus' forms a summer curtain of zebra-striped leaves that sway in the wind.

Setting up a potted screen

Plan deep containers, at least 40 cm deep with 40 litres of compost per plant, with drainage holes and raised on feet so water can drain away. Fix a sturdy trellis or mesh to the wall or railing and tie in the stems as they grow. Water regularly, especially in summer, and mulch the surface to limit evaporation. A feed in spring and a light prune after flowering keep the screen dense and full.

Which screen for which aspect?

On a sunny balcony, choose star jasmine, passion flower, pyracantha and miscanthus, and browse our plants for south-facing terraces. In shade or partial shade, ivy, Lonicera henryi, Fargesia and Chinese Virginia creeper are the best fit, alongside our plants for shady terraces. Find all our climbers in the Climbers & ground cover collection and our ideas for styling a balcony.