How to Hide Eyesores in the Garden

Eyesores are like burgers made from piranha fish – nobody really wants them, but unlike piranha burgers, they’re inevitable. From chain link fences to peeling sheds, eyesores are an undermentioned aspect of the garden that can derail your mood as you step outside. Sometimes, the unsightly defect is deeply rooted, like an AC unit, while others, like old, stained furniture, are removable culprits. 

The old expression, “Out of sight, out of mind,” may seem foolish, relegated to people that avoid their responsibility, but in these cases, it is applicable. The solution for many eyesores is to obscure them with the natural fecundity of the garden in the form of plants. 

Here are several effective ways to hide eyesores in the garden and beautify the landscape.

1. Morning Glories 

When it comes to covering blemishes, the fast-growing vines of the morning are the gold standard. Voracious growers, they’ll crawl up almost any façade without complaint, including decks and chain link fences. To anchor morning glories, plant seeds or seedlings a few inches from the base, then loosely weave them through the netting. Once it reaches two feet tall, pinch off the top to encourage bushier growth. 

2. Textural Plants 

Eyesores are like pimples, appearing as strange eruptions on the skin of the earth. Just as the remedy for pimples are creams, plants are the solution to disguising eyesores. Tall plants like hollyhocks and delphiniums, when planted along garden paths, are naturally inclined to draw the eye. 

3. Decorative Trellises and Climbers

While not enough to obscure eyesores entirely, trellises and arches, used to define walkways, are very effective at softening them so that they appear as background smears. For severe, bulky offenders, a combination may be necessary: an arched trellis as the focal point and a mix of shrubs and perennials surrounding it. Vining plants like clematis, star jasmine, or climbing roses will scramble up the structure, creating a beautiful, flowering curtain that obscures the offending object behind it. In narrow spaces, where things tend to be in disarray, with tangled hoses and dead patches, flower supports ameliorate the stark space. 

4. Strategically Placed Garden Beds 

Raised garden beds are recommended for antagonistic landscape features, diverting attention from an eyesore like a utility box to the beds themselves. Specially shaped garden beds are helpful for creating geometric formations and garden paths. To achieve a layered effect, group taller plants towards the back, leading down to shorter and squatter plants. 

5. Living Privacy Screens  

While sprawling trees are the ideal choice, narrow, cramped dwellings do not have the luxury of hosting notably old trees. However, shrubs and ornamental grass are available. Privacy screens like pink muhly grass and bamboo make eyesores seem insignificant. Ornamental grass is particularly valued because it imparts a rhythmic motion that naturally reduces harsher elements. 

6. Sculptural Art and Statuary

If you can’t hide the eyesore, distract from it. A bold, large-scale piece of garden art, like a modern metal sculpture, a beautiful birdbath, or a stone statue, draws the eye away from a cluttered or ugly corner. Place the art piece slightly in front of the eyesore. Your guests will admire the sculpture and never even notice what’s lurking just a few feet behind it.

7. Potting Bench 

A potting bench can successfully hide low-to-mid-height outdoor eyesores like air conditioning units, utility boxes, or bare foundations. It also serves as a place to gather your tools, ensuring a dedicated area for cumbersome garden tools and equipment. The light, neutral tones of the potting bench seamlessly blend in with the paint of houses. 

8. The Outdoor Room Partition

If you have a larger area of the garden that feels messy or needs to be hidden, consider installing a decorative gate or a partial fence panel to create a secluded feel. By sectioning off the yard with a partition, you create a sense of mystery. People will be too busy exploring the different sections of your garden to notice that there’s a storage area tucked away behind a partition. Finally, consider installing a greenhouse to further add a Victorian grandeur to the garden. Not only does a greenhouse provide a practical space for growing plants, but its glistening panes can also draw attention away from less appealing features nearby. 

A Few Rules to Keep in Mind

1. Keep It Accessible

• Factor in mature growth: Don’t let plants eventually swallow up your equipment.

• Keep paths open: Ensure trellises and screens are removable or placed far enough away for easy repairs.

2. Keep It Safe

• Allow airflow: AC units need ventilation. Keep plants at least 1 to 2 feet away and avoid solid covers (use lattice instead).

• Watch for shallow wires: Buried lines near electrical or cable boxes are often much shallower than you think.

3. Check With Your Utility Company

• Call before you dig: Have utility companies mark underground lines for free to avoid hitting pipes or cables.

• Respect clearances: Transformers on concrete pads generally need 3 feet on the sides, 1 foot in the back, and 10 feet in the front (where it opens).