Layered hedge landscaping

Who says you need loads of space to have a good garden? These compact gardens prove that you can fit just about anything into a small outdoor space, if you’re clever – even a pool.

Layers! Layering different heights of flowers & greenery (hedges, cedars) in the garden for depth & interest for all the seasons. Photo curtesy: @planterdecor

Get to know landscape architect Quincy Hammond. She distills gardens to their essential elements to unlock their magic.

Grow yourself a privacy hedge fence update with examples of how fast viburnum grows. Shrubs add additional privacy to your yard and viburnum grows fast!

Hobson, a current project: work is underway developing a beautifully detailed garden for an architect client

Overgrown bushes that block your front windows are not a good look. Ever. Period. Shrubs should frame your windows but never hide them (unless you're on the run from the law).

Like the hydrangea picture, another example of three layers with taller flowers behind, evergreen shrubs in middle, and tiny flowers in front. We would put evergreen groundcover in front and would hope to maintain a more casual hedge! Possible flowers behind--shasta daisies, hydrangeas, globe alliums (purple ok here), knockout roses?

Need more backyard privacy? From privacy hedges and fences to patio screens, check out these 11 backyard privacy ideas to create a secluded outdoor space.

Landscape layering is designing a garden that uses a variety of different plants positioned in multiple rows to form a casual, mixed border planting.