Ideas for Plantings That Add Shade and Privacy in the Platte City and Kansas City, MO Areas

When trying to find ideas for plantings in the Platte City and Kansas City, MO areas that provide some extra shade and privacy, there are many considerations to be had. Maintenance requirements, growing season, size, and surrounding features are all important pieces to think about when planning for new greenery.

Why Plantings?

While fences and shade structures can provide additional privacy and protection from the elements, using plantings can help create a more natural space. Especially when working with smaller areas, the use of greenery can help make the space feel larger. If you are a plant lover, you can receive many of the same benefits that man-made structures provide with the additional benefit of beauty that comes from different colored and shaped leaves, flowers, and the surrounding wildlife that plantings can attract.

Considerations for Plantings

When planning to install new greenery, you’ll want to think about your current space, how it’s utilized, and the important building blocks it may or may not provide. For example, if you have excellent soil, you may have an easier time to grow and sustain plants. Acidic or clay soil could need some amendments to create a healthy environment for your new plants.

Native plants have evolved to naturally thrive in our area and need minimal maintenance and intervention to grow strong. Nonnative plants may need some additional care, like more water than we naturally receive during rainstorms. It’s also important to consider the amount of sunlight received. Tropical plants would need to be planted in areas that receive more consistent sunlight, while other plants that require less sun would thrive in partially shaded areas, like along the side of your home. Root systems should also be considered in the location of plantings. Trees or large shrubs that are being used likely have strong and deep root systems that could damage foundations or existing features, so be sure to plant them far enough away to prevent any harm.

Some Options for Plantings

The Japanese tree lilac is a gorgeous ornamental that produces large clusters of white flowers in the late spring and early summer. This large shrub fills out well and can provide exceptional shade and privacy. The flowers also attract pollinators and can make your space the preferred hangout of butterflies and hummingbirds. Even when not in bloom, this greenery has lots of beauty with reddish-brown bark and dark green leaves.

American Holly is a hardy planting that provides dense foliage and bright red berries in the winter. The deep green spiky leaves grow thick and offer protection from curious eyes and harsh elements. Because this shrub is so hardy, it is likely to survive any extremely cold weather that comes through. While beautiful, this plant is also toxic so be sure to keep small children and pets away.

Climbing hydrangeas can provide the same beautiful flowers as standard hydrangeas with the added benefit of climbing structures. When provided with a structure to climb, like a stone wall, fence, or trellis, the climbing hydrangea can expand and provide a high amount of coverage to your space. Hydrangeas have a tendency to grow wild, so this option will need a little more maintenance to keep from overgrowing other plantings or features.

When not blooming in the late spring or early summer, the climbing hydrangea still has many beautiful light green leaves. Be warned, though, as this perennial vine is deciduous and will lose leaves in the winter, effectively losing its ability to provide shade and privacy.