Creating privacy in your outdoor space can make your yard feel more comfortable and personal. Whether you want to block neighbors’ views or add a natural barrier, using plants is an attractive and effective option.
Plants offer a flexible and natural way to create privacy exactly where you need it. They can suit different styles, grow quickly or slowly, and fit in small or large spaces depending on your needs.
Emerald Green Arborvitae
If you want a dense privacy screen, Emerald Green Arborvitae is a great choice. It grows thick and tall, creating a natural fence that doesn’t need much pruning.
Plant your Arborvitae about 3 to 4 feet apart. Spacing them closer than 3 feet might harm their health.
This tree works well in small yards because it stays narrower than similar varieties. You’ll get privacy without taking up too much space.
Chindo Viburnum
If you want a reliable privacy screen, Chindo Viburnum is a great option. It grows up to 20 feet tall and about 15 feet wide, creating a dense barrier.
This evergreen shrub stays green year-round, so your privacy won’t disappear in winter. Its fragrant white flowers add a pleasant touch without much effort.
Chindo Viburnum is low-maintenance, making it easy to keep your yard private without constant care. It also attracts birds and pollinators, bringing life to your garden.
Yew Shrub
If you want an evergreen option for privacy, yew shrubs are a great choice. Their soft, needle-like foliage stays green year-round, so your privacy won’t disappear in winter.
Yews grow dense and can be shaped easily with shearing. They are low maintenance and can form a thick hedge if you need something sturdy and attractive.
Clumping Bamboo
If you’re looking for a fast-growing privacy screen, clumping bamboo is a great choice. It grows in tight clusters, which means it won’t spread uncontrollably into your yard.
You can expect dense foliage that provides year-round coverage. Many types tolerate brief cold spells, making them suitable for various climates.
Clumping bamboo also works well next to fences, quickly offering a natural barrier above the line. It’s both attractive and functional for your privacy needs.
Thuja Green Giant
If you want a fast-growing evergreen for privacy, Thuja Green Giant is a solid choice. It grows quickly and stays green all year, giving you a reliable screen.
This tree prefers direct sunlight but can handle some shade. It’s hardy and low-maintenance, perfect if you want to create a natural barrier without much effort.
Keep in mind, it can take a few years to reach full privacy, so plan ahead for your space.
Climbing Hydrangea
If you want a vine that adds charm while providing some privacy, climbing hydrangea is a good choice. It grows well in full shade, especially on the north side of your garden.
Keep in mind, it takes a couple of years to get established before it grows vigorously. This plant attaches itself directly to structures like pergolas or walls.
Since it loses leaves in winter, privacy is limited during colder months. Consider this if year-round coverage is important to you.
Boxwood Hedge
If you want a neat and classic look for your privacy screen, boxwood hedges are a great choice. Their dense leaves provide good coverage to block views.
Artificial boxwood panels are also an option if you prefer low maintenance. These panels can be arranged easily on fences or walls, adding greenery year-round without watering or trimming.
Whether real or fake, boxwood hedges help create a comfortable and private space in your garden or yard.
Leyland Cypress
If you want quick privacy, Leyland Cypress is a great choice. It grows fast and can reach 20 to 30 feet tall, creating a solid green screen in just a few years.
This evergreen loves full sun and works well as a windbreak or tall hedge. You can space them about 8 to 10 feet apart for the best coverage.
You can easily prune your Leyland Cypress to keep the height and shape you want. It stays green year-round, giving your yard constant privacy.
Privet Hedge
If you want a fast-growing hedge for privacy, privet is a solid choice. It fills in quickly with dense foliage that blocks views effectively.
You can easily shape and maintain privet to fit your yard’s style. It works well in most climates and tolerates pruning, so your privacy screen stays neat.
American Holly
If you want a privacy hedge that is evergreen and low maintenance, American Holly is a solid choice. It grows well in a variety of climates and can be trimmed to fit your space.
You can use it as a tall privacy fence or a foundation hedge. Its dense leaves help block views, giving you more seclusion in your yard.
Italian Cypress
If you need a tall, narrow plant for privacy, Italian Cypress is a great choice. You can plant them close together, around 3 feet apart, making them ideal for small spaces.
Their dark blue-green foliage adds a formal look to your garden. These trees work well as natural screens or windbreaks without taking up much width.
Japanese Forest Grass
Japanese Forest Grass is perfect if you want a soft, low-growing screen in shady spots. Its arching, colorful leaves add texture without blocking too much light.
You’ll find it thrives in moist, well-drained soil with partial shade. Plant it close together to create a natural ground cover that feels private yet light.
It’s easy to care for, needing regular watering in dry spells. This grass adds quiet elegance without overwhelming your space.
Hollyleaf Cherry
If you want a tall, evergreen plant for privacy, Hollyleaf Cherry is a solid choice. It can grow between 20 to 40 feet tall, providing good coverage.
You’ll appreciate its dark green, toothed leaves and small white flowers that turn into red berries in fall. It prefers full sun or part shade and needs well-drained soil.
Once established, it requires little water, making it a low-maintenance option for your privacy screen.
Nellie R. Stevens Holly
If you want a reliable privacy screen, Nellie R. Stevens Holly is a great choice. It grows quickly, adding 2 to 3 feet per year, so you won’t wait long for coverage.
You can plant these hollies close together to create a dense barrier. Their branches spread wide, blocking noise and unwanted views.
This holly is also low-maintenance and resists pests, making it an easy option for your yard. Just clip the top if you want to control its height.
Dragon Lady Holly
If you want a privacy screen that’s both attractive and functional, Dragon Lady Holly is a great choice. It’s an evergreen shrub that grows 15 to 20 feet tall, providing dense coverage.
This plant is deer-resistant and drought-tolerant once established, so it’s low-maintenance. You can plant it in sun or shade, making it versatile for different spots in your garden.
Wax Myrtle
Wax myrtle grows quickly, making it a good choice if you want privacy fast. You can expect it to reach about 5 feet or more in a short time.
Its dense foliage creates a natural screen, helping block views from neighbors or busy streets. Regular pruning helps keep your wax myrtle looking neat and encourages bushier growth.
This plant also supports healthy soil by adding nitrogen, so it benefits your yard beyond just privacy.
False Cypress
False cypress is a great choice if you want a soft, green privacy screen. Its evergreen foliage stays lush year-round, giving your space a natural fence.
You’ll like that it grows slowly and stays narrow, perfect for tight or small areas. It also needs little trimming to keep its shape, making it low-maintenance.
Plant it along fences or narrow yards to create a friendly, natural barrier without feeling too dense or overwhelming.
Camellia
Camellias are evergreen shrubs that offer dense, glossy foliage, perfect for creating privacy year-round. Their beautiful, rose-like flowers add charm while blocking views.
You can choose vigorous varieties like “Autumn Rose” or “Our Linda” for faster growth. They do well in filtered sun and can reach heights from 10 to 16 feet, giving you flexible screening options.
Star Jasmine
You can use Star Jasmine as a fast-growing vine to add privacy to your outdoor space. It climbs easily on trellises, fences, or arbors, creating a natural screen with its dense, evergreen foliage.
Its fragrant flowers also add a pleasant scent to your garden. If you want a quick and attractive way to block views, Star Jasmine is a good option to consider.
Oleander
If you need a dense privacy hedge, oleander is a good choice. It grows upright and thick, giving you solid coverage quickly.
Oleander is also tolerant of drought, pollution, and salt, making it low-maintenance in many environments. Just remember, all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested, so keep it away from pets and children.
You’ll enjoy its lush foliage and colorful flowers as part of your natural privacy screen.