Do a google search for privacy screens or privacy planters. Privacy planters might bring some interest.

I would have aligned it better with the deck pergola and built it on out, hanging curtains to give privacy. You could still build a mini pergola over it, or just an "L" shaped one on the sides where you want privacy and hang curtains. Here are some variations, and you can find more online.

I think your best bet is a decorative lattice-like screen fence on which you can grow a flowering vine. You could start the first year with annuals (like heavenly blue morning glories or moonflower vine) and simultaneously plant a permanent vine such as one of the large flowering Clematis. The fence should be at least 5' from the hot tub (because vines have thickness/bulk) if you don't want to feel like they are coming in the tub with you.

Thanks for the ideas so far! We are thinking more and more about a trellis and love the idea of tall planter boxes with tall grasses or something to create privacy. The whole side of the house will be getting a landscape makeover which could help with adding the desired amount of privacy. Definitely don't want to do a structure with curtains as the winds are way too strong so they'd blow all over the place... Keep the ideas coming!

Want to try and look into planting some bamboo to surround, looks great and is very tall.

A grass of sorts would b good for planters probably 6 months of the year or so. I’m in zone 6 so climate is a bit colder, but u get cold too. Recommend it’s best to speak to the local nursery for plantings with longevity whether in a tall planter or on a trellis. Good luck, many good options offered up. Please post with what u decide.

Mon, bamboo is lovely or more dense a bit shorter is horsetail. I’m not sure it’s suited for zone 5????!! I think it can get fairly cold.

Although I do not have experience with bamboo myself yet, I have read up on it a bit and seen some gardening programs boasting it and from what it seems there are quite a bit of different varieties which are able to thrive in zones ranging from 4-9, and of which grow to different heights. I'm in a zone 6 location and hope in the next couple of years to also use it along one of my fence lines but I have also come across the fact that is spreads like wildfire so that may become troublesome if you are really trying to contain them to a specific area.

Mon, that's great to know. I'm in 6 and am building a hardscape patio and wanted to place it in tall linear planters on one side and can't fine any for cold climates as it's water loving and it snows 6 months of the year and is freezing. What type of bamboo for areas it gets cold? I've hunted and hunted.

The horsehair is so pretty, but nope. Would look nice around the hot tub Outdoorgurl has posted. It won't work in 6 and again for my hardscape I can't fine any and nursery can't help me.

"It won't work in 6..." Do you mean horseTAIL won't grow in ZONE 6? It will sure grow in zone 5! I've seen it many times as a young person growing along railroad tracks, out in the countryside in northern Illinois.

It's lovely isn't it....

Yes. it is lovely. While I'm saying horsetail grows in z5, it's a different ball game in a planter through winter. Often a craps shoot.

True, the cold will get to them vs. being in the ground. I hear it's very invasive as well soooo...

Perhaps best to wait on your landscape makeover and incorporate/update everything at the same time? Do you have pics of your plans or thoughts? Love all the great ideas posted.. Can you move your tub or is it already set?

The hot tub is in its permanent location and cannot be moved and the landscape project will work around what we come up with as far as privacy for the tub as we will build off of that. We definitely will be building a lattice screen on one side so that's one resolution to the project at hand. Thinking now if there is a shrub or small tree that could be planted on the corner side as that would possibly give us a good amount of screening from roadside and neighbor. Shrub would have to be fairly narrow i.e. no more than 4 ft wide and could be at least 6 ft tall. a small tree variety would only be able to be about 8-10 ft wide and tall.

Maybe you didn't mean lattice literally. Something that ties in with the pergola vs all the little diamond type shapes?

Home Depot below if you have a climber that will work in winter?

Lattice is so much visually with the nice pergola IMO...

I bought a small pergola off Amazon in the same brand as this lattice. See below.

My pergola has held up great - it’s very small and I use it as an “entrance point” to my garden. The legs are set in quikcrete. It’s vinyl. Amazon has quite a bit of stuff like this.

If all else fails I would contact a skilled carpenter if you can find one via personal knowledge or word of mouth. I have a beautiful trellis structure built by a carpenter. I sketched out what I wanted ( it looks very similar to the one in the second pic from the top, but more substantial ). It was surprisingly affordable.