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You don’t need a fence to maintain your privacy when you can block your nosy nextdoor neighbor from peering into your yard with the help of plants. There’s a number of trees (along with some shrubs and vines) that can help turn your property into a secluded retreat, and they can be far cheaper than installing a fence or other privacy structure.
Check out this list of some of our favorite backyard privacy ideas.
1. Arborvitae
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There are many reasons why arborvitae is among the most popular plants for growing a living privacy fence. Its thick evergreen foliage creates a dense hedge when the trees are spaced properly, it tolerates most soil conditions, and it’s cold-hardy and low maintenance. There are several varieties with different stature, from dwarf to giant, so consider the plant’s mature height and width when choosing the right arborvitae for your space.
RELATED: Solved! Why Is My Arborvitae Turning Brown?
2. Bamboo
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Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world, so it can create a lush and exotic privacy screen very quickly. Some varieties of bamboo are invasive, so consider picking a slow-spreading, clumping variety, or planting it in large raised planters to keep it under control.
RELATED: Don’t Make These 8 Mistakes in Your Front Yard
3. Skip Laurel
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With annual shaping and pruning, the dense evergreen foliage of skip laurel (also known as schip laurel) can make a beautiful 10-foot-tall privacy screen. Planted in a sunny location and in well-drained soil, a laurel hedge will reward you with white blooms in spring.
RELATED: 8 No-Care Plants for Killer Curb Appeal in Every Season
4. Privet
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Fast-growing privet can get you privacy in a hurry; if given proper care, it can add between 2 and 3 feet to its height each year. When grown as a hedge, privet needs to be pruned regularly, but that hard work pays off when the plant produces a thick cover of sweet-smelling flowers every spring.
RELATED: 11 Living Fences That Look Better Than Chain Link
5. Holly
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There are many varieties of holly that provide excellent privacy in the yard. Available as tall trees or denseshrubs, and in colors that run the gamut from green to variegated, holly offers something to satisfy any landscaping preferences. Homeowners with small children or sensitive hands may want to consider a soft-leafed variety that’s free of the plant’s signature sharp, spiny leaves.
RELATED: 10 Plants to Grow for a Pest-Proof Yard
6. Boxwood
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Boxwood has been long used as a decorative pruned hedge in formal gardens, but it’s also beautiful when less strictly maintained. Allowed to grow freely, some varieties can reach 20 feet tall.
Many people think of boxwood as a deep green plant, but there are also beautiful white variegated and gold varieties. Grown as a fence or in containers, it will provide rich scenery and a lush, living wall to protect your yard from prying eyes.
RELATED: How to Grow Boxwood Shrubs
7. Hicks Yew
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Hicks yew, while not flashy, is a sensible choice for a living fence or privacy screen. This low-maintenance option sets a wonderful evergreen backdrop for the rest of a yard, and its soft needles andwinterberries make it a fast favorite with backyard wildlife.
RELATED: The Invincible Yard: 23 Ideas for Lazy Landscaping
8. Red Twig Dogwood
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Red twig dogwood is deciduous, but it displays a cheerful and seasonal thicket of bright red branches when it loses its leaves in fall. It can tolerate temperature extremes and even soggy soils, and provides habitat for wildlife in all seasons. This fast-growing shrub can reach 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide, creating an impressive display in a yard.
RELATED: 12 Stunning Dwarf Trees Perfect for Any Landscape
9. Chocolate Vine
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The hardy chocolate vine, also known as five-leaf akebia, grows vigorously on a trellis or fence and provides a thick screen of green leaves and fragrant purple blooms in early summer. It spreads very quickly, so be sure to rein it in with regular pruning.
RELATED: 15 Beautiful and Functional Trellis Ideas for Climbing Plants
10. Euonymus
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Euonymus are privacy shrubs that comes in many sizes and colors, including green, gold, and variegated varieties. This tall and sturdy shrub tolerates all types of weather and even poor soils. Planted close together, euonymus can serve as a lush hedge, but it also makes a big impact when pruned into a tree shape.
RELATED: 15 Ideas for Better Backyard Privacy
11. Cypress
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These slender, tall plants are one of the best privacy trees for backyards. The Leyland cypress tree is the ideal pick for quickly adding privacy to an outdoor space. The trees grow quickly—up to 5 feet every year—so you can expect to block out curious eyes within a few seasons. Remember, though, fast-growing privacy trees require more maintenance, so keep that in mind before settling on this one.
RELATED: The Best Trees to Plant for Fall Foliage
12. Lilac
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Pretty, fragrant lilac bushes can also be planted as privacy hedges. They make lovely privacy plants thanks to their colorful, pleasant-smelling blooms. Lilacs need lots of sun, so opt for another hedge option if you’re situated in a shady spot. They also require yearly pruning. Remove dead and damaged branches to help encourage new growth and healthy flowering.
RELATED: The 20 Best Lilac Varieties to Grow in Your Yard
13. Butterfly Bush
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The bushy purple flowers on the butterfly bush attract pollinators and other beneficial bugs, making it an excellent privacy option for the edible garden. A significant advantage of butterfly bush is that it’s drought-tolerant and blooms from spring to fall. Most varieties aren’t invasive, but it’s important to confirm this before buying just any cultivar.
RELATED: How to Grow a Butterfly Bush
14. Hydrangea
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Hydrangea plants grow up to 8 feet wide and 8 feet tall, making them great hedge plants. Planted in a row, the cone-shaped blooms on these privacy bushes become a garden focal point. One caveat: hydrangeas lose their leaves in the fall, so they don’t provide year-round privacy. However, you can pair them with other hedge plants to maintain some cover during their off-season.
RELATED: How to Change Hydrangea Color
15. Juniper
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Several varieties of juniper make excellentprivacy screen plants. Many cultivars grow up to 10 feet tall or more, including California and Sierra junipers. Some varieties are better suited for large properties, while others, like Spartan juniper, can be planted closer together. Their tight-spaced foliage also makes junipers a great option for blocking wind.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a wide range of information and can provide insights on various topics. While I have personal experiences or emotions like a human, I can provide factual information and answer questions based on available data.
Now, let's discuss the concepts mentioned in the article about using plants for privacy in your yard.
Arborvitae
Arborvitae is a popular plant for creating a living privacy fence. It has thick evergreen foliage that forms a dense hedge when properly spaced. Arborvitae can tolerate various soil conditions, is cold-hardy, and requires low maintenance.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a fast-growing plant that can quickly create a lush and exotic privacy screen. However, some bamboo varieties can be invasive. It is recommended to choose a slow-spreading, clumping variety or plant it in large raised planters to control its growth.
Skip Laurel
Skip laurel, also known as schip laurel, is an evergreen shrub that can be shaped into a 10-foot-tall privacy screen with annual pruning. It produces white blooms in spring and thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil.
Privet
Privet is a fast-growing plant that can provide privacy in a short period. With proper care, it can add 2 to 3 feet to its height each year. Privet needs regular pruning when grown as a hedge, but it rewards with a thick cover of sweet-smelling flowers in spring.
Holly
Holly offers excellent privacy options with its many varieties, including tall trees and dense shrubs. It comes in various colors, from green to variegated. Homeowners with small children or sensitive hands may prefer a soft-leafed variety that lacks the plant's signature sharp, spiny leaves.
Boxwood
Boxwood is commonly used as a decorative pruned hedge in formal gardens. It can reach up to 20 feet tall if allowed to grow freely. Boxwood comes in different varieties, including deep green, white variegated, and gold. It can be grown as a fence or in containers to create a living wall for privacy.
Hicks Yew
Hicks yew is a low-maintenance evergreen shrub that serves as a sensible choice for a living fence or privacy screen. It provides an evergreen backdrop for the yard and attracts backyard wildlife with its soft needles and winterberries .
Red Twig Dogwood
Red twig dogwood is a deciduous shrub that displays bright red branches in fall when it loses its leaves. It can tolerate temperature extremes and soggy soils. This fast-growing shrub can reach 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide, creating an impressive display in a yard.
Chocolate Vine
The hardy chocolate vine, also known as five-leaf akebia, grows vigorously on a trellis or fence, providing a thick screen of green leaves and fragrant purple blooms in early summer. Regular pruning is necessary to control its spread.
Euonymus
Euonymus is a privacy shrub available in various sizes and colors, including green, gold, and variegated varieties. It tolerates all types of weather and poor soils. When planted close together, euonymus can serve as a lush hedge or be pruned into a tree shape for a significant impact.
Cypress
Cypress trees are slender and tall, making them excellent privacy trees for backyards. The Leyland cypress tree, in particular, is known for its fast growth, adding up to 5 feet in height each year. However, fast-growing privacy trees like cypress require more maintenance [[11]].
Lilac
Lilac bushes can also be planted as privacy hedges. They produce colorful and pleasant-smelling blooms, making them a lovely option for privacy plants. Lilacs require lots of sun and yearly pruning to maintain their growth and healthy flowering [[12]].
Butterfly Bush
Butterfly bush attracts pollinators and beneficial bugs with its bushy purple flowers, making it an excellent privacy option for an edible garden. It is drought-tolerant and blooms from spring to fall. Most varieties are not invasive, but it's important to confirm before buying a specific cultivar [[13]].
Hydrangea
Hydrangea plants can grow up to 8 feet wide and tall, making them great hedge plants. Their cone-shaped blooms become a garden focal point when planted in a row. However, hydrangeas lose their leaves in the fall, so they don't provide year-round privacy. They can be paired with other hedge plants to maintain some cover during their off-season [[14]].
Juniper
Several varieties of juniper make excellent privacy screen plants. Some cultivars can grow up to 10 feet tall or more. Junipers with tight-spaced foliage are great for blocking wind and can be planted closer together [[15]].
Please note that the information provided here is based on the search results and snippets available. It's always a good idea to consult local gardening experts or resources specific to your region for the best plant choices and care instructions.
