What plants can I use to create privacy and hide neighbours' roof?

Question

Hello, I previously had bamboo planted along my back fence, to hide my neibours roof line and privacy. Unfortunately I could not take care of the bamboo and I had to remove it. How I'm looking for ideas to make this presentable. And to make things worse neibours won't help with a new fence.

Looking at planting a few trees

JacobZ · Answer

Hi @Narellekaren,

Lilly Pilly varieties such as 'Resilience' and 'Pinnacle' produce fluffy white to cream flowers in spring and summer, followed by attractive pink, red or purple berries depending on the variety. The flowers are pleasant, but they're generally considered a bonus feature rather than the main attraction, as the plants are usually grown for their dense foliage and screening ability.

If flowers are the main goal, Murraya paniculata (Mock Orange) produces much more prominent flowers. Its white blooms are highly fragrant, appearing repeatedly through the warmer months, often after rain or periods of growth. If flowers and fragrance are more important, Murraya is probably the better choice.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

Narellekaren · Answer

Can you suggest one type that 🌹 flowers?

JacobZ · Answer

Hi @Narellekaren,

Being in Southeast Queensland gives you some excellent options. Considering the circumstances, I'd suggest considering either Lilly Pilly or Viburnum.

For Lilly Pilly, Syzygium australe 'Resilience' would be my top recommendation. It grows relatively quickly, develops a dense canopy, has excellent psyllid resistance and can be maintained at the height you're after. Syzygium australe 'Pinnacle' is another good option, although it has a narrower growth habit and is often better suited to tighter spaces.

If your priority is achieving screening as quickly as possible, Viburnum odoratissimum is another great option. It grows very rapidly, establishes well and forms a thick hedge that will provide excellent privacy.

For your particular situation, I'd probably lean towards Viburnum odoratissimum if speed of screening is the main objective, or Lilly Pilly 'Resilience' if you're looking for a neater, more refined hedge in the long term.

Either would make an attractive backdrop and do a great job of softening the neighbouring roofline.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob