Privacy and protection are an important part of our daily lives, especially so when in a relaxing mode in the garden.

Noise and visual impact are the main offenders during the summer months, whilst in winter we can add protection from winds and perhaps salt spray. We can create privacy around the boundary for the whole property, and of course around the swimming pool or "private area".

Let us examine the boundary scenario first; a hedge is simply a single ? or sometimes double ? line of plants planted on or just inside the boundary and allowed to grow ? until attacked by the gardeners ? to a desired height.

It can be evergreen or deciduous, the former being the best for privacy; if it is a flowering hedge pruning is governed by the flowering habit.

Plants each have their own character; to obtain the best for a specific plant one needs to know its growth and flowering habit, this will determine the planting distance apart in order to achieve the best from the plant, assuming all other aspects are equal.

For example I would suggest oleander be planted at least four feet in from the boundary and a minimum of four feet apart; hibiscus three feet from the boundary and three feet minimum apart; whereas (English Box) a slow growing hedge used more for formal growth around a flower bed or herb garden can be planted at twelve inches apart.

For a Casuarina hedge, which if it fits the need is an ideal candidate in exposed areas should be planted at twelve to fifteen inches apart.

A screen consists of a collection of plantings in a flower bed which has depth, be it a straight line or in a serpentine; in other words one is creating a large flower bed which consists of a diverse mix of plants and being of a more floriferous nature makes a statement when viewed from the house.

A screen can be 'backed up' by a hedge, fence or wall for extra height or protection.

The mix of plants used in screen beds should be based on location ? wind direction, shade etc.; potential size of material, growth association and habit to its neighbouring plant, flowering habit, leaf colour or shape or branch outline.

With the right mix interest can be afforded almost throughout the year, and with the right mix labour can be minimal. The main visual impact areas should be placed in the locations most often viewed from the house or verandah; this should be determined when standing at the focal points in the house or from verandah/patio.

Plantings in such borders offer the opportunity to create a wide variety of interest with small trees or palms inter-planted with shrubs, ground covers and miscellaneous material such as bulbs and cacti and succulents.

The height of hedge or screen (plants) will vary as to the need for privacy the depth of bed will be dictated by size of garden and orientation of house in relationship to the bed.

To obtain the maximum coverage for privacy a tiered design should be the object; with the tiers overlapping with their neighbouring plants the visual impact allows the eye to view an undulating palette whilst creating a total block from outside the area.

For those 'gardeners' who prefer 'low maintenance' a screen can be simply a fence; I still like the 'organic' feel of wood which is so versatile as to design and the finished product.

Of course the world now seems to make most things from plastic or similar products, and one sees 'little white fences' being erected everywhere.

Height can be accommodated by either medium, and height is dictated from a stability standpoint by the connecting uprights or posts.

In small gardens a double picket fence will offer privacy whilst allowing growth within the framework of the pickets; several vines when planted at the base of the fence will wend their way in and out of such a framework, if additional support is needed, consider fishing line running horizontally to the pickets.

When used around pools wooden fences are best designed with an open picket design to allow movement of air, after all a breeze is most welcome after a quick dip and when lying in full sun.

Bermuda stone walls have been a feature of our landscape for many years and add much interest and character to the landscape, being of a soft nature it weathers well adding even more interest.

Bermuda stone walls are aesthetically pleasing in their character when topped with a thin coping of larger stone, with a slight 'overhang'; stone walls with a cement finish invariably crack and in my opinion do little justice to the wall and the builder!

Walls can be used to delineate the property line, to a point where a four foot wall suffices for the need of delineation; a planting can then be created on the property side to enhance the area from without or within.

Consideration as to what is best for a property is determined by several factors, which include but not limited to, privacy of the area, is the property abutting a quiet lane or path vis a vis a busy highway; is there a vista that can be created from the house. What do I want to see or not see with regard to neighbouring properties; how does the location of my property impact on the surrounding area now and in the future.

When considering the above points it is also advisable to remember the old adage, 'what you create you have to maintain', there are times when small is beautiful.