One of the basic uses of plants is to enclose and define the boundaries of outdoor gardens and spaces. This is often achieved by planting hedges and screens to divide areas into rooms. Plants are planted side by side and clipped into natural or geometric shapes to function as a hedge. Many times the first idea is to achieve dense and total screening treatments. However, another strategy can also be effective. Plants are arranged in layers and left to grow natural and to varying heights until a separation is achieved. This separation does not have to be total; sometimes a partial view through a screen is more effective and enjoyable.
Screen planting is also done to improve the character of garden spaces space. The creation of privacy and blocking poor views of trash enclosures and utility poles are important visual improvements. From another perspective, hedges and screens can be strategically placed to frame and emphasize views as well as provide low boundaries to further define interior garden areas and circulation.
Hedge and screen plantings can often be efficiently watered with drip irrigation systems. Two to three rows of drip tubing can be placed along the sides of the plants to reduce runoff and provide moisture close to the roots. The drip tubing can be covered with organic mulch to hide the tubing and to keep the root zone of the shrubs cooler during the summer.
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