Add Much Needed Privacy To Your Porch With A Trellis And Jasmine

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Do you have a lovely front porch that's just perfect for relaxing on with your morning coffee or a cool afternoon drink? Although you might love to watch the world going past on the street in front of your home, you may also want some much needed privacy from your neighbor's house that has a window looking straight into your porch. You can easily create a gorgeous privacy screen by installing one or two large planter boxes, a divine-looking trellis, and a lush jasmine vine that will fill your porch with outstanding fragrance when it blooms (this fresh-smelling vine is also perfect for added privacy along your backyard fence).

To make this easy project, you'll first need to gather your materials and then visit your local garden center to purchase some jasmine plants in pots. Select a planter box or two that will fit the space at the end of your porch perfectly. Make sure they have drainage holes to keep your plants happy. This Veradek long box planter would work well. Next, you want to look for a lovely trellis that's going to fit neatly in the space behind your planter. For this, you'll need to take some measurements so you get all the dimensions right. If you don't want a heavy timber one, DuraTrel has an attractive PVC garden trellis that would be a good substitute. Or, for a simpler DIY, you may want to add privacy to your outdoor space with Aldi's budget planter.

As seen in the clip above, assembling your privacy screen couldn't be easier. First, you want to place the planter box into position, fill it with potting mix, install the trellis, and secure it. It's a good idea to put the bottom posts of the trellis into the soil in the planter and secure the top using large hooks and eyelets to ensure it's nice and sturdy. This way, it won't easily fall over from the weight of the jasmine vine.

Now, you can plant your jasmine into the planter box. Depending on the length of the planter, you'll want at least two to three plants so that you'll get good coverage. Keep your plants well watered and fertilized so they'll grow quickly. Common jasmine (Jasminum officinale) is perfect for this project because it can handle both full sun and part shade. It grows best in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 10 and has the most deliciously fragrant white blooms in spring through to fall. As the plants start to grow, you'll want to guide them through the gaps in the trellis and wind them around both the vertical and horizontal slats so that they'll eventually cover the structure entirely. For a slightly different but equally attractive look, you might want to opt for Asian star jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum) which can be grown in zones 7 through 11. If you want even more inspiration, take a look at some additional balcony privacy screen ideas that also add style to your outdoor space.