Screening plants are essential for giving privacy, decreasing noise, and increasing visual interest in your garden. However, choosing the right plants for small places can be difficult. We’ve produced a detailed list of 12 great screening plants that flourish in small places, allowing you to create a beautiful and practical landscape even in the smallest of spaces.
| Plant | Height | Spacing | Sun Exposure | Water Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slender Weavers Bamboo (Bambusa textilis ‘Gracilis’) | 8 metres | 1 metre | Full sun to part shade | Moderate |
| Sky Pencil Holly (Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’) | 2-3 metres | 1-1.5 metres | Full sun to part shade | Moderate |
| Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Silver Sheen’ | 3-4 metres | 1 metre | Full sun to part shade | Low to moderate |
| Magnolia ‘Little Gem’ | 4-6 metres | 2 metres | Full sun to part shade | Moderate |
| Pleached trees | Varies by species | Varies by species | Varies by species | Varies by species |
| Lilly Pilly (Syzygium smithii ‘Narrow’) | 5-7 metres | 1-2 metres | Full sun to part shade | Moderate |
| Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens ‘Swanes Gold’) | 10-12 metres | 1-2 metres | Full sun | Low to moderate |
| Juniper ‘Skyrocket’ | 3-4 metres | 0.6-1 metre | Full sun | Low to moderate |
| Photinia ‘Red Robin’ | 2-4 metres | 1-2 metres | Full sun to part shade | Moderate |
| Espaliered fruit trees | Varies by species | Varies by species | Varies by species | Varies by species |
| Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’) | 5-7 metres | 1.5-2 metres | Full sun to part shade | Moderate |
| Australian Willow (Geijera parviflora) | 4-6 metres | 2-3 metres | Full sun | Low to moderate |
1. Slender Weavers Bamboo (Bambusa textilis ‘Gracilis’)
Slender Weavers Bamboo is fantastic for small spaces due to its evergreen nature, rapid growth, and drought tolerance. We recommend planting this fast-growing, evergreen bamboo one metre apart as it can reach heights of up to 8 metres. It can grow in full sun to partial shade, and we find that it only needs moderate irrigation.
2. Sky Pencil Holly (Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’)
We love Sky Pencil Holly because it’s perfect for small spaces with its columnar structure and dense foliage. For the best results, you should space Sky Pencil Holly 1-1.5 metres apart as they tend to grow to a height of 2-3 metres. We have also found that this low-maintenance plant grows best in full sun to partial shade, and we only need to water it modestly.
3. Silver Sheen (Pittosporum tenuifolium)
Silver Sheen is one of our favourite choices for adding a touch of sophistication to any garden, especially in small spaces, thanks to its exquisite silvery-green leaves. It can reach 3-4 metres in height and prefers full sun to part shade, with low to moderate water requirements. We recommend keeping a distance of one metre between plants.
4. Little Gem Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
Little Gem features fragrant white blossoms, dark green glossy leaves, and year-round attractiveness, making it a good choice for modest settings. We recommend planting Little Gem around 2 metres apart as it can grow 4-6 metres tall. We can grow it in full sun to partial shade, as it only needs moderate irrigation.
5. Pleached trees
We often find that pleached trees can be custom-trained to match your exact space needs, providing architectural interest and privacy. We have noticed that depending on the species, pleached trees require different growth and maintenance requirements. Still, we have found that they all provide a space-saving architectural solution for restricted locations.
6. Lilly Pilly (Syzygium smithii ‘Narrow’)
Lilly Pilly is a great plant for narrow spaces due to its dense foliage, gorgeous red new growth, and tasty berries. This plant grows best in full sun to partial shade, thriving with moderate irrigation.
Additionally, we recommend planting Lilly Pilly 1-2 metres apart as it can reach a height of 5-7 metres. Please note that while these plants are tough and durable, Lilly Pillies do tend to suffer from diseases such as root rot or myrtle rust!
7. Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
We love the Italian Cypress because of its columnar structure, golden-yellow leaf, and drought tolerance, making it a popular choice for small or narrow settings. It is important to note that this plant does enjoy full sun and requires little to no water.
We find the best results come from planting these columnar trees 1-2 metres apart as they can grow 10-12 metres tall.
8. Skyrocket (Juniperus scopulorum)
Juniper can reach a height of 3-4 metres and should be spaced 0.6-1 metre apart; this one is great as it grows best in full sun and requires little to no watering. We love this low-maintenance plant because it’s perfect for our small space. It’s blue-green foliage and columnar structure make it an ideal addition to our home.
9. Red Robin (Photinia)
Photinia ‘Red Robin’ should be planted 1-2 metres apart and has a height range of 2-4 metres. It may be planted anywhere from full sun to some shade, and just modest irrigation is needed. This quick-growing plant is a great option for confined spaces because of its dense leaves and crimson new growth.
10. Espaliered fruit trees
Espalier fruit trees are trees pruned and trained to grow flat against a wall or fence. Consequently, they can offer beauty and functionality to your environment and can be grown with a number of fruit tree varieties.
We recommend selecting suitable fruit tress like apples, pears, or citrus. If citrus seems like a suitable option, ensure that you plan your space effectively to avoid companions that may cause harm to your fruit tree. For more information, check out our guide on what not to plant near citrus trees.
Additionally you should plant against a north-facing wall for warmth and sunlight while also using a sturdy support system.
11. Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’)
We love Hornbeam for its erect, columnar growth and dense foliage, which makes it an excellent choice for small spaces. We recommend planting these deciduous trees at a distance of 1.5-2 metres apart. When fully grown, we can reach a height of 5-7 metres. We grow best in full sun to partial shade and require only moderate irrigation.
12. Australian Willow (Geijera parviflora)
Due to its pendulous, weeping leaves and drought tolerance, the Australian Willow is a good choice for tiny spaces. This native Australian tree can grow 4-6 metres tall and should be planted 2-3 metres apart. It thrives in full sun and requires little to no water.
Final thoughts
In order to build a functional and visually appealing garden, selecting the appropriate screening plants for small spaces is necessary. The 12 choices described in this article offer a variety of features and benefits to accommodate a wide range of needs and preferences.
As always, if you are unsure of your options, contact a local gardening professional or nursery specialist to determine the ideal plants for your needs.
