Looking to create a private retreat in your own backyard? You need plants that grow tall, thick, and reliable. Choosing the right 10 shrubs for privacy is the perfect first step to screening spaces from neighbors, streets, or unsightly views.
This guide will help you pick the best shrubs for your specific needs. We’ll cover fast-growers, evergreens, flowering options, and those suited for different climates. With a little planning, you can build a beautiful, living wall that gives you the seclusion you want.
10 Shrubs for Privacy
Here is our curated list of ten excellent shrubs for creating a private screen. Each has its own strengths, so consider your local climate, soil, and desired look.
1. Emerald Green Arborvitae
This is a classic for good reason. Its dense, bright green foliage stays vibrant all year, providing a perfect evergreen screen. It grows in a neat, narrow column shape, making it ideal for smaller spaces or lining a driveway.
* Growth Rate: Moderate (6-12 inches per year).
* Mature Size: 12-15 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide.
* Best For: Tall, narrow screens; formal landscapes; cold climates.
2. Cherry Laurel
If you need a fast, broad screen, Cherry Laurel is a top contender. Its large, glossy green leaves create a lush, tropical feel. In spring, it produces pretty white flower spikes, followed by small fruits for birds.
* Growth Rate: Fast (24+ inches per year).
* Mature Size: 15-20 feet tall and wide.
* Best For: Quick, dense hedges; warmer zones; noise reduction.
3. Schip Laurel
A hardier and more disease-resistant cousin of the Cherry Laurel, Schip Laurel has darker, slender leaves. It’s excellent for creating a thick, impenetrable hedge and tolerates more shade than many other evergreens.
* Growth Rate: Fast (24+ inches per year).
* Mature Size: 10-15 feet tall, 5-8 feet wide.
* Best For: Dense privacy walls; partial shade; urban conditions.
4. Nellie Stevens Holly
This holly is a powerhouse. It grows quickly into a pyramidal shape with dark green, spiny leaves that deter intruders. Female plants product bright red berries in winter, adding fantastic color to your screen.
* Growth Rate: Fast (24+ inches per year).
* Mature Size: 15-25 feet tall, 8-12 feet wide.
* Best For: Security and privacy; winter interest; wildlife gardens.
5. Wax Myrtle
A fantastic native shrub for coastal or sandy areas, Wax Myrtle is adaptable and fast-growing. Its aromatic olive-green leaves are evergreen in warmer zones. It’s very low-maintenance once established.
* Growth Rate: Fast (24+ inches per year).
* Mature Size: 10-15 feet tall and wide.
* Best For: Coastal gardens; poor soils; naturalized screens.
6. Forsythia
For a brilliant burst of spring color, Forsythia is unmatched. Its arching branches become a waterfall of yellow flowers early in the season. It forms a very large, informal screen that’s great for the back of a property.
* Growth Rate: Fast (24+ inches per year).
* Mature Size: 8-10 feet tall and wide.
* Best For: Flowering screens; informal borders; tough conditions.
7. Lilac
A beloved flowering shrub, Lilacs offer fragrance and beauty along with privacy. Varieties like the ‘Miss Kim’ or common lilac can be planted close together to form a dense, seasonal screen. Their heart-shaped leaves are attractive all summer.
* Growth Rate: Moderate (12-18 inches per year).
* Mature Size: 8-15 feet tall, 6-12 feet wide (varies by type).
* Best For: Fragrant, flowering hedges; cottage gardens; cut flowers.
8. Boxwood
For a more manicured, formal hedge, Boxwood is the traditional choice. It responds very well to shearing and can be kept at almost any height. Its small leaves create a fine texture that looks neat and tidy year-round.
* Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate (3-6 inches per year).
* Mature Size: 2-15 feet (highly variable by cultivar).
* Best For: Low or medium formal hedges; topiary; foundation planting.
9. Privet
Privet is a workhorse hedge plant. It’s incredibly tough, grows very quickly, and tolerates heavy pruning. While often deciduous, some varieties are semi-evergreen. It’s a cost-effective way to establish a screen fast.
* Growth Rate: Very Fast (24+ inches per year).
* Mature Size: 4-15 feet tall (easily maintained).
* Best For: Inexpensive, quick screens; urban pollution; sheared hedges.
10. Viburnum
Many Viburnum species, like ‘Arrowwood’ or ‘Leatherleaf,’ make superb privacy screens. They offer multi-season interest: spring flowers, summer berries, and often fantastic fall foliage. They are generally pest-resistant and robust.
* Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast (12-24 inches per year).
* Mature Size: 6-15 feet tall and wide.
* Best For: Four-season interest; wildlife gardens; mixed borders.
How to Plant Your Privacy Screen for Success
Planting correctly is just as important as choosing the right shrub. Follow these steps to give your plants the best start.
1. Check Spacing: This is the most common mistake. Don’t plant too close! Refer to the mature width on the plant tag. For a dense screen, space plants at about 75% of their mature width apart.
2. Prepare the Hole: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. The top of the root ball should be level with or slightly above the surrounding soil.
3. Loosen and Place: Gently loosen the roots if the plant is pot-bound. Place the shrub in the hole, ensuring it’s straight.
4. Backfill: Use the native soil you dug out to backfill the hole. You can mix in a little compost, but avoid over-amending.
5. Water Deeply: Create a small soil berm around the plant to form a watering basin. Soak the area thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.
6. Mulch: Apply 2-3 inches of mulch (like wood chips) around the base, keeping it a few inches away from the main stem. This conserves moisture and suppresses weeds.
Caring for Your Living Privacy Wall
Once planted, a little routine care will keep your screen healthy and thick.
Watering
Consistent watering is crucial for the first two years. Deep, infrequent watering encourages roots to grow downward. A soaker hose laid along the hedge line is the most efficient method.
Pruning and Trimming
Pruning goals depend on the shrub:
* Formal Hedges (Boxwood, Privet): Shear 1-2 times per growing season to maintain shape.
Informal Screens (Viburnum, Lilac): Prune after flowering to maintain size and health. Remove about 1/3 of the oldest stems at the base each year to encourage new growth from the bottom up.
Feeding
Most shrubs don’t need heavy feeding. An application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring is usually sufficient. Always test your soil first to see what nutrients it actually lacks.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
* Planting Too Close: This leads to competition for light and nutrients, causing weak, spindly growth in the lower sections of your screen.
* Ignoring Sun Requirements: A shade-loving plant in full sun will scorch. A sun-lover in deep shade will grow thin and leggy.
* Forgetting Mature Height: A shrub that grows 25 feet tall will block a second-story window. Plan for the full size.
* Neglecting Soil pH: Some plants, like Boxwood or Holly, prefer specific soil acidity. A simple test can save you alot of trouble later.
FAQ: Your Privacy Shrub Questions Answered
What are the fastest growing shrubs for a privacy screen?
Privet, Cherry Laurel, and Wax Myrtle are among the fastest, often growing more than two feet per year once established.
What is the best evergreen shrub for privacy?
This depends on your zone and style. Emerald Green Arborvitae is excellent for cold, narrow spaces. Nellie Stevens Holly offers great security and berries. Schip Laurel is superb for warmer zones and shade tolerance.
Can I use flowering shrubs for a privacy hedge?
Absolutely! Lilac, Forsythia, and Viburnum create beautiful, seasonal screens. Remember that you may lose some privacy in winter if they are deciduous, but the show they put on is often worth it.
How far apart should I plant privacy shrubs?
A good rule is to space them at a distance equal to one-half to three-quarters of their mature width. For a plant that grows 10 feet wide, space them 5 to 7.5 feet apart. Check the specific plant tag for best results.
How long until my privacy screen fills in?
With fast-growing shrubs, you can have a good screen in 2-3 years. Moderate growers may take 4-5 years. Proper planting, spacing, and care will speed up the process significantly.
Creating a private oasis in your yard is a rewarding project. By selecting the right plants from this list of 10 shrubs for privacy and giving them proper care, you’ll soon enjoy a beautiful, natural barrier. Your screen will provide peace, quiet, and a sense of seclusion for many years to come. Take your time to choose the varieties that fit your landscape and climate best.