How to Landscape a Townhouse Yard: Privacy Plus Containers
Here is how to landscape a townhouse yard. Draw the eye through the space with a linear feature, screen the property line with tall but narrow plants and grow in containers where soil is limited. UF IFAS Gardening Solutions says plants will grow in containers, on roof tops and even up walls.
The short answer
Stretch the space, screen it narrowly and use containers. UF IFAS Gardening Solutions says a linear feature such as a dry creek bed or trellised archway makes a narrow yard feel larger. It suggests tall but narrow plants like Sky Pencil holly for screens. Match each container to the size of its plant.
How can a tiny lot feel larger?
UF IFAS Gardening Solutions says a narrow side yard can be a design opportunity. A linear feature like a dry creek bed or a trellised archway at one end draws the eye through and makes it feel larger.
Add crushed gravel or mulch to create a natural, low maintenance path, the same source suggests. Think past floor space and start using the walls.
A wall bracket can support a hanging basket, or a vine can be trained up a trellis. Vertical garden systems let you grow plants on the wall, though they still need some upkeep.
Which screens fit narrow spaces?
UF IFAS suggests tall but narrow plants that hold their form, like Sky Pencil holly or clumping bamboo. They form screens along the property line without taking much ground.
NC State Extension suggests a mixed screen of several plant kinds rather than one species. A screen of a single species can be lost entirely to one disease or insect problem.
NC State adds not to set plants too close together for an instant screen. Space plants by their mature size so they do not compete for resources later.
| Tool | Use | Source note |
|---|---|---|
| Linear feature | Makes a narrow yard feel larger | Dry creek bed or trellised archway |
| Tall narrow plants | Screens on the property line | Sky Pencil holly or clumping bamboo |
| Mixed screen | Privacy | More resilient than one species |
| Containers | Growing with little soil | Match pot size to plant size |
Source: UF IFAS Gardening Solutions plus NC State Extension.
Why use containers?
UF IFAS Gardening Solutions says many plants grow in pots just as well as in the ground. When several plants share one pot, they should all need the same light and water.
Fit the size of the container to the size of the plant. The guideline of thrillers, spillers plus fillers helps you choose plants for a bold pot.
UC Master Gardeners of Orange County note that container plants need water more often than those in the ground. The potting mix should be porous and fast draining, yet moisture retentive.
How to: step by step
- Check how much sun each part of the yard gets.
- Add a linear feature to draw the eye through.
- Plant tall narrow screens along the property line.
- Mix several screen plants instead of one species.
- Space screen plants by their mature size.
- Group containers sized to their plants.
Troubleshooting
Yard feels cramped: no line for the eye. Add a linear feature.
No privacy: open sight lines. Add slim screens.
Containers drying fast: small pots. Use larger pots.
For related reading see planning an outdoor cannabis garden layout, raised beds for cannabis plus garden microclimates for cannabis. Kind Seed Co also stocks cannabis seeds.
Sources
- Gardening with limited space, UF IFAS Gardening Solutions
- Small spaces, UC Master Gardeners of Orange County
- Container gardening, UF IFAS Gardening Solutions
- What can I plant for privacy?, NC State Extension
FAQ
Can vines give privacy?
UF IFAS Gardening Solutions suggests choosing a vine that can be trained up a trellis when floor space is limited. A trellised archway at one end of a narrow yard also draws the eye through the space. Vines on a trellis use wall height rather than ground.
Which evergreens work for privacy screens?
NC State Extension names hollies such as Nellie Stevens and lusterleaf holly for dense evergreen foliage. Yaupon holly can withstand shearing for a hedge. Camellias add flowers in fall, winter or early spring. Aucuba suits a shady area with yellow speckled leaves.
How should container plants be watered?
UF IFAS Gardening Solutions says morning is the ideal time to water containers so leaves and soil can dry. Push a finger into the soil before watering, and skip it if the soil is already moist. Overwatering is the most common reason container plants die.
Should a screen be planted close for fast cover?
NC State Extension advises against it. Grouping plants close for an instant screen can cause problems later when they run out of room and compete for resources. Space plants by their mature size. Fall and winter are good times to plant evergreens in North Carolina.
Can a townhouse balcony hold a garden?
UF IFAS Gardening Solutions says yes. First check how much sun you get, since a north facing balcony needs shade tolerant plants. With plenty of sun you can grow herbs, flowers plus vegetables. Many balcony gardeners prefer self watering containers, and wall brackets can hold hanging baskets.
