The plants we choose for our yards have impacts far beyond aesthetics. Chief among them is ensuring organic privacy, but no one wants their home to look like a fortress. Thus, planting for privacy is a tricky balance between seclusion and invitation.
An archival image of Elizabeth Taylor's family home from 1963 is a great inspiration for nailing this equilibrium with the best plants for privacy. The Taylor home in the Hampstead neighborhood of London has a cozy brick construction. At the front, they have planted a collection of wild low shrubs, taller, more manicured hedges, and a towering deciduous tree. To the right of the house, hedges obscure the side windows from passing cars. It's stunning.
