Believe it or not, in what seems like a super quiet town, a long-time client! lovely person! had a complaint about noise.
They do live near a main road, but nothing too chaotic. A few local shops around, not exactly a bustling high street.
But when you think about it, the quieter the area, the more any little sound can turn into a big deal.
Not silly at all! It’s absolutely true, and to be honest, I’ve been valuing peace and quiet more and more these days. Maybe that’s why I really felt for this client.
So, in short
I suggested using plants to help with noise reduction. Did you know they can do that?
Basically, plants absorb, reflect, and reduce sound waves. Cool, right? Dense, bushy foliage in large amounts helps a lot. Tree trunks can also bounce back (or break up) sound waves before they reach you!
No tricks, no magic….just nature doing its thing. We usually think of wood as a sound barrier… and well, wood comes from trees, doesn’t it?
So, plants make for a natural soundproofing wall! How brilliant is that?
Some of the plants I recommended in this case were:
- Bamboo – because it grows fast and thick. (Side note: make sure you pick the right type! Fargesia is a solid choice, as it won’t take over your whole garden!)
- Yew (Taxus baccata) – makes a thick hedge, absorbs loads of noise, and stays lush all year round.
- Hawthorn – brilliant for sound reduction, plus the birds will love it.
There are loads more plants that work, but if you’re wondering what’s best for your space, just give me a shout and we can have a chat!
A couple more that came to mind while writing this:
- Hornbeam and Leylandii – though with Leylandii, you’ll need to keep it trimmed, or it’ll go absolutely wild!
So, if you’ve got issues with noise….whether it’s traffic, neighbours, businesses, or anything else……consider using plants and trees. Your garden will look better, your ears will thank you, your wallet will be happy, and the environment will love it too!
