Adding privacy to your yard can be a challenging endeavor, but the right mix of plants and shrubs can create a lush, natural barrier that enhances the beauty of your outdoor space. With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together this list of 20 great plants and shrubs that are well-suited for adding privacy.

What to Consider When Choosing Plants for Privacy

When selecting plants for privacy, there are a few key factors to consider:

• Growth rate – Faster growing plants will fill in quicker to create a privacy screen. Look for varieties described as fast or very fast growing.
• Mature size – Make sure to account for how tall and wide the plant will eventually grow to ensure it will provide the coverage you need.
• Foliage density – Plants with dense, full foliage will provide more privacy than those with loose, open growth habits.
• Hardiness zone – Be sure to choose varieties suitable for your USDA hardiness zone so they will thrive.
• Sun exposure – Consider how much sun or shade the area receives and select plants accordingly.
• Climate – Factors like wind, rain, and humidity should inform your choices to pick the right plants for your conditions.
• Maintenance – Lower maintenance plants that are drought, pest or disease tolerant are ideal for privacy.

With the above criteria in mind, here are 20 great options for adding privacy to your yard:

Arborvitae

Arborvitae are fast-growing evergreen trees that can quickly form tall, dense privacy screens. Some popular privacy varieties include:

Green Giant Arborvitae

With a mature height up to 60 feet and a growth rate of 3+ feet per year, Green Giant arborvitae make an excellent tall hedge or living fence. Their foliage stays green throughout winter. These thrive in zones 5-8.

Emerald Green Arborvitae

The narrow, columnar form of Emerald Green arborvitae works well for tight spaces. They grow up to 15 feet tall and just 3 feet wide. Hardy in zones 4-7.

Techny Arborvitae

A hardy, fast-growing arborvitae that tolerates wind, cold, and pollution, Techny has very dense foliage all the way to the ground. It does well in zones 3-7.

Leyland Cypress

The Leyland cypress is an extremely fast growing evergreen conifer. It’s one of the most popular trees for privacy screening.

Leyland Cypress

Growing up to 3-4 feet per year, Leyland cypress provides quick, dense coverage. It can reach 70 feet tall and 15 feet wide when mature. Does well in zones 6-10.

Castlewellan Gold Leyland Cypress

With graceful golden foliage, Castlewellan Gold provides a more visually interesting screen. Grows 40-50 feet tall in zones 6-9.

Bamboo

Bamboo varieties spread rapidly and deliver very effective, lush privacy screening. Just be sure to pick clumping bamboo that won’t aggressively spread.

Oldhamii Bamboo

One of the best bamboo plants for privacy, Oldhamii forms an extremely dense 15-20 foot tall clump without spreading. Hardy to 0°F.

Alphonse Karr Bamboo

A fast-growing clumping bamboo that thickens quickly, Alphonse Karr reaches 15-20 feet tall with a 6 foot spread. It does well in zones 6-10.

Boxwood

Boxwood makes a classic choice for formal hedge rows or borders. The small leaves allow for very dense screening.

Green Velvet Boxwood

A compact boxwood growing to 4-6 feet tall and wide, Green Velvet keeps its rich green color in winter. It thrives in zones 5-9.

Wintergreen Boxwood

If you need coverage low to the ground, Wintergreen boxwood only reaches 2-3 feet tall. It does well in zones 6-8.

Cedar

Tall screening cedars lend year-round privacy with their dense evergreen needles. Different varieties have subtly different growth habits.

Green Giant Arborvitae

Very fast growing at 3+ feet per year, Green Giant arborvitae can form a 60 foot tall hedge in zones 5-8.

Emerald Green Arborvitae

The narrow columnar shape of Emerald Green arborvitae is nice for tight spaces. Grows 15 feet tall in zones 4-7.

Eastern Red Cedar

Eastern red cedar has dense, aromatic foliage and grows 40-50 feet tall. Native from zones 2-9.

Emerald Green Cedar

As a dwarf variety reaching just 10 feet tall/wide, emerald green cedar works well in smaller yards. For zones 6-9.

Chaste Tree

Though technically a small tree, chaste tree forms a shrubby multi-stemmed thicket that blocks views. It’s known for showy summer flowers.

Chaste Tree

Fast-growing chaste trees reach 15 feet tall and wide in zones 6-9. Long bloom time from summer into fall.

Dwarf Chaste Tree

The dwarf chaste tree variety only grows 8 feet tall, good for lower privacy borders. Hardy in zones 6-10.

Dogwood

With their bushy, dense branches, dogwood shrubs make excellent privacy screens that also provide landscape interest with decorative stems and leaves.

Red Twig Dogwood

Red twig dogwood displays vivid red stems in winter. Grows 6-9 feet tall in zones 2-7.

Golden Shadows Dogwood

Variegated yellow and green foliage provides year-round interest on golden shadows dogwood. Max height of 6 feet. For zones 5-9.

Holly

Hollies are classic privacy shrubs. The spiny leaves deter trespassers and give an extra layer of seclusion. Choose compact varieties for hedges.

Blue Princess Holly

A fast grower reaching 8 feet tall/wide, blue princess holly has dark blue-green foliage. Does well in zones 6-10.

Blue Boy Holly

Plant Blue Boy alongside Blue Princess and this male pollinator will produce plump red berries on both. Grows 10 feet tall.

Hornbeam

An excellent substitute for boxwood, hornbeam has dense, fine-textured foliage perfect for tall, formal privacy hedges that are more pest and disease resistant.

European Hornbeam

European hornbeam grows 30-60 feet tall for high screening. Has yellow fall color. Ideal for zones 5-7.

Pyramidal European Hornbeam

The narrow, columnar form of pyramidal hornbeam takes up little space while providing privacy up to 40 feet tall. Hardy in zones 5-7.

Photinia

Photinia are commonly used for privacy hedging thanks to their rapid growth, evergreen foliage, and bright white spring flowers.

Red Tip Photinia

Red Tip photinia has scarlet new growth that matures to dark green. Grows 12 feet tall in zones 7-11.

Fraser’s Photinia

More compact at 6 feet tall/wide, Fraser’s photinia works well for low privacy hedges in zones 7-9.

Spruce

Columnar evergreen spruces lend themselves perfectly to tightly spaced, towering privacy screens along borders.

Blue Spruce

Colorado blue spruce grows 30-60 feet tall with striking blue needles. Likes zones 2-7.

Dwarf Alberta Spruce

For lower coverage, dwarf Alberta spruce only reaches 2-4 feet tall. Good for zones 2-8.

Juniper

Junipers offer versatile, rugged evergreen privacy. Varieties range from groundcover to giant trees. Many tolerate coastal or arid climates.

Skyrocket Juniper

As the name implies, narrow skyrocket juniper shoots upward 15-20 feet for tight spaces. Hardy in zones 4-9.

Blue Pacific Shore Juniper

Low spreading shore juniper grows just 1 foot tall x 5 feet wide, ideal for borders. Likes coastal areas of zones 4-9.

Barberry

Compact barberry shrubs lend themselves well to dense, spiny privacy hedging that deters trespassers. Many have color interest as well.

Crimson Pygmy Barberry

Crimson pygmy barberry has deep red foliage on a 2-3 foot shrub hardy in zones 4-8.

Japanese Barberry

For more height, Japanese barberry reaches 5 feet tall. Has orange fall color and red berries. Grows in zones 4-8.

Yew

Yews are excellent for low hedges or borders, especially in shady conditions. They can tolerate pruning very well. Choose compact upright varieties.

Dwarf Japanese Yew

Slow growing but very dense, dwarf Japanese yew maxes out around 3 feet tall. For zones 6-7.

Hicks Yew

Narrow and columnar in form, Hicks yew grows 8 feet tall but just 2 feet wide. Hardy in zones 5-7.

Podocarpus

These tropical-looking evergreens have dense, lush foliage perfect for warm climate privacy. Provide sun/partial shade.

Podocarpus

Podocarpus has fragrant, weeping leaves. Grows up to 20 feet tall in zones 7-10.

Dwarf Podocarpus

The dwarf podocarpus grows just 2 feet tall and wide for low hedging. Tolerates zones 8-11.

Willow

Willow’s vigorous growth makes them ideal natural fences. Be sure to give them ample space and prune as needed.

Willow Shrub

Dwarf willow shrubs create thick, bushy 8 feet tall borders for zones 4-9.

Weeping Willow Tree

For more height, weeping willows can grow 30-50 feet tall! Make sure to give them space. Ideal for zones 4-9.

Privet

Privet are the quintessential shrubs for privacy hedging. They’re dense, fast growing, evergreen or semi-evergreen and tolerant of pruning.

Ligustrum

Ligustrum grows rapidly to 10 feet tall. Has white flowers that attract pollinators. For zones 5-9.

California Privet

California privet thrives in warmer climates, growing 15-25 feet tall in zones 7-10. Good for coastal regions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Privacy Plantings

Here are answers to some common questions about using plants for privacy in your yard:

What is the fastest growing plant for privacy?

Leyland cypress and arborvitae are generally the fastest growing screening plants, growing up to 3-4 feet per year. Bamboo also spreads and thickens rapidly.

How long does it take shrubs to fill in for privacy?

Depending on the growth rate of the plants selected, most privacy hedges fill in enough to block views within 1-3 growing seasons. Planting them closer together will provide a screen faster.

What is the best tall privacy hedge?

Good choices for tall privacy hedges include Leyland cypress, arborvitae, eastern red cedar, American holly, Italian cypress, southern magnolia and elephant ear plants like colocasia.

Which hedge is best for privacy?

Some top hedging plants for privacy include boxwood, yew, arborvitae, hornbeam, ligustrum, photinia, barberry, privet and holly. Mixing a few varieties creates an even denser hedge.

How do I choose plants for a privacy screen?

Consider the height and width, growth rate, foliage density, hardiness zone, and site conditions like sun exposure and soil when selecting plants for privacy screens. Favor evergreen varieties for year-round coverage.

What can I plant for privacy besides trees?

Great alternatives to trees include tall shrubs like arborvitae, bamboo, boxwood, hornbeam, photinia, cedar, spruce, juniper, barberry, yew and privet. Mix heights for layered privacy.

Conclusion

Adding privacy landscaping helps create tranquility and comfort in your own personal outdoor sanctuary. With so many types of fast-growing trees, shrubs, and hedges to choose from, you can craft plant screens that enhance the architecture and aesthetics of your yard. Focus on picking varieties suited to your climate and site conditions for optimal health and growth. Arrange plants with a diversity of heights, textures, and foliage density to achieve natural-looking, lush privacy balanced with just enough gaps to let in light and air flow. Soon you’ll be enjoying increased seclusion in your newly planted oasis.