The Best Shrubs to Plant for Privacy

Evergreen, tall, fast-growing, dense shrubs and trees provide privacy in gardens and yards. Select multi-stemmed shrubs and trees or varieties that grow branches near the base for privacy from the ground up, and grow plants that thrive in the existing growing conditions, such as alkaline or acidic soil, and sunny or shady sites.

Tall shrubs and trees often also grow wide, but there are some that require only a narrow space. Regular pruning is usually needed to keep tall shrubs and trees to a manageable height, but they provide effective privacy.

Wipe pruning shears with a cloth that was dipped in rubbing alcohol, before and after pruning shrubs and trees.

Holly Dragon Lady (Ilex ? aquipernyi 'Meschick') is a tall shrub for narrow spaces. Growing 10 to 20 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide, this female variety naturally forms an upright, narrow pyramid shape. Spiny, dark green, evergreen leaves are Dragon Lady's main feature, but if a male holly cultivar is growing nearby, the shrub also bears scarlet berries that persist through winter. Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 8, Dragon Lady grows best in sunny or partially shaded spots and evenly moist, acidic soil.

Golden Hinoki false cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Crippsii') is named for its bright, yellow-golden foliage. Hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8, this evergreen grows 8 to 10 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. Grow Golden Hinoki in full sun or partial shade.

When privacy is needed in a hurry, fast-growing shrubs and trees provide a solution, but they can be weak and short-lived. Select strong-limbed fast-growing varieties, or varieties that recover quickly from storm damage.

Arborvitae 'Green Giant' (Thuja 'Green Giant') is a fast-growing, strong evergreen tree that grows 40 to 60 feet tall and 12 to 18 feet wide, but can be pruned to grow as a hedge. Hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8, 'Green Giant' features scale-like, dark green leaves and small, brown cones.

Southern wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), which is hardy in USDA zones 7 through 9, features olive-green, scented leaves and bluish-gray winter berries. This shrub grows quickly to 12 feet high and 8 to 10 feet wide, and although its branches are a little weak, they grow back quickly if broken.

'Green Giant' and southern wax myrtle grow well in partially shaded or sunny spots.

Flowering hedges provide colorful blooms as well as privacy.

Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is a flowering hedge for warm climates. Hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11, this evergreen shrub grows 4 to 10 feet tall and 5 to 8 feet wide. Red flowers, 4 to 8 inches wide, appear throughout the year against a background of dark green, glossy leaves.

Chinese hibiscus performs best in a sunny area of the garden.

Prague viburnum (Viburnum 'Pragense') produces pink buds that open into flat clusters of creamy white flowers in spring. Red berries appear in fall, then turn glossy black. Growing 10 to 12 feet tall and wide, Prague viburnum is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8, and grows well in partial shade and full sun.

Shrubs and trees with colorful foliage offer a change from green.

Icee Blue yellow-wood (Podocarpus elongatus 'Monmal') is named for its leaves, which emerge lime-gray-blue and mature to gray-blue-green. Growing 15 to 25 feet tall and wide, Icee Blue is hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11. Grow this conifer in sunny or partially shaded spots.

Small anise tree 'Florence' (Illicium parviflorum 'Florence') is hardy in USDA zones 7 through 10, and grows 6 to 8 feet tall and 6 to 9 feet wide. Featuring small, bell-shaped, yellow summer flowers, 'Florence' has olive-green leaves variegated with speckles of yellow or white. This is a shrub for partial or full shade.