Downtown LA: artificial hedges mounted on an existing block wall for instant privacy

A Los Angeles homeowner's patio sat right next to a busy street with only a low block wall between her and the traffic. CalifauxScapes built custom artificial boxwood panels that mount directly to the existing wall and railing, giving her full privacy in two weeks without any structural changes to the property.

Overview

The homeowner had a nice property but couldn't enjoy her outdoor space because every passerby could see straight in. The existing block wall with a metal railing on top didn't do much for privacy. She wanted a green screen that looked finished, lasted year-round, and required minimal plant care.

CalifauxScapes designed thin-profile artificial boxwood panels that sit on top of the block wall and attach to the metal railing. No new construction, minimal irrigation, no waiting for plants to grow. The install took two weeks and the homeowner had full privacy the day we finished.

The challenge

The property is on a high-traffic LA street, so the patio and garden felt more like a fishbowl than a private space. The low block wall topped with a metal railing offered structure but no visual screening. The homeowner wanted to add privacy without tearing out what was already there. She also didn't want to deal with the water use, upkeep, and grow-in time of traditional plantings. And in LA, whatever went up needed to resist UV fading since it would take direct sun most of the day.

Our solution

We designed thin-profile artificial boxwood hedge panels sized to fit the exact dimensions of the existing wall and railing. The panels attach directly to the metal railing using a discreet mounting system, so there's no drilling into the block wall and no new posts or framing required. That kept the project simple and stayed within the homeowner's budget.

We worked with the homeowner to match the leaf density and green tone she wanted. UV-resistant materials were standard for this application since the panels face south and get full sun exposure.

Implementation

Two-week timeline. We started with on-site measurements of the wall and railing, then fabricated the boxwood panels to exact dimensions in our shop. Custom sizing matters here because off-the-shelf panels rarely line up cleanly with existing structures, and gaps or overhangs look bad on something as visible as a front wall.

Our team mounted the panels to the railing, checked alignment from both the street side and the patio side, and secured everything for wind resistance. The homeowner was consulted on positioning as we went, and we adjusted a few panel heights before locking in the final layout.

Results

The patio went from exposed to private overnight. The homeowner can sit outside, eat dinner, or have guests over without feeling like she's on display to the street. The artificial boxwood creates a dense, consistent green barrier that looks like a well-maintained hedge from both sides.

Minimal watering, minimal trimming, no seasonal replacement. The UV-resistant materials hold their color through LA sun, and the panels are securely mounted against wind. The homeowner got what she was after: a long-lasting privacy screen that looks good and costs very little to maintain.

"CalifauxScapes transformed my outdoor space. I went from feeling like I was on display to having my own private spot in just two weeks. The hedges look incredibly real and gave me instant privacy without any of the hassle of real plants." — Los Angeles homeowner

Project details

Image suggestions

• Hero: Wide shot of the completed hedge on the block wall, showing green screening from the patio side with the street blurred in background.
• Before: Photo from the patio toward the street showing the exposed block wall and railing with no privacy.
• After: Same angle with the dense artificial boxwood hedge fully installed, blocking the street view.
• Detail: Close-up of the artificial boxwood leaves showing realistic texture and color variation.
• Wide: Street-view exterior shot showing how the hedges improve the home's curb appeal.