15 Best Trees and Shrubs for Privacy Around the House

Eight arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) trees stand in a row in a garden.

You don’t need a fence to maintain your privacy when you can keep your nosy neighbor from peeking into your yard with the help of plants. There are many trees (along with some shrubs and vines) that can help turn your property into a secluded spot, and they can be much cheaper than installing a fence or other privacy structure.

Check out this list of some of our favorites backyard privacy Idea.

1. Arborvitae (thuja occidentalis,

Eight arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) trees stand in a row in a garden.
Photo: D’Agostini via Getty Images

There are many reasons for this arborvitae One of the most popular plants to grow living privacy fenceIts dense evergreen foliage forms a dense hedge when trees are spaced appropriately, it tolerates most soil conditions, and it is cold resistant and low-maintenance. There are many varieties ranging in height from giant to dwarf treesSo consider the mature height and width of the plant when choosing the right arborvitae for your space.

2. Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris,

Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) is a bush composed of large green leaves and long stalks.
Photo: Selihutapiya via Getty Images

bamboo It is one of the fastest growing plants in the world, so it can make a great and attractive privacy screen very quickly. Some varieties of bamboo are invasiveSo consider choosing a slow-spreading, clump-forming variety or planting in large raised beds to keep it under control.

3. Leave the laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Shipkensis’,

The flowers of skip laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Shipkensis') are long and pointed.
Photo: istockphoto.com

Dense evergreen foliage, with annual shaping and pruning leave laurel (also known as ship laurel) can make a beautiful 10-foot tall privacy screen. A laurel hedge planted in a sunny location and well-drained soil will reward you with white flowers in spring.

4. Privet (ligustrum vulgare,

Privet (Ligustrum vulgare) Small white flowers bloom from the bush's dark leaves.
Photo: Irina Borsuchenko/DepositPhotos

growing rapidly upload You may find privacy in a hurry; If proper care is taken, its height can increase by 2 to 3 feet every year. When grown as hedges, privets need regular pruning, but that hard work pays off when the plant produces a dense cover of fragrant flowers each spring.

5. Holi (ilex aquifolium,

Small white flowers crawl up the stems of the sharp dark green leaves of the holly (Ilex aquifolium) bush.
Photo: ChWeiss/Depositphotos

There are many varieties of Holi Which provide excellent privacy in the yard. Available as tall or dense trees bushesAnd in a variety of shades of green, holly offers something to satisfy any landscape preference. Homeowners with small children or sensitive hands may want to consider a soft-leaf variety that is free of the plant’s sharp, prickly leaves.

6. Boxwood (buxus sempervirens,

The boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) shrub has small leaves that are pale green.
Photo: Kasparart/depositphotos

boxwood It has long been used as an ornamental pruned hedge in formal gardens, but it is also beautiful is less strictly maintainedWhen allowed to grow freely, some varieties can grow up to 20 feet tall.

Many people think of boxwood as a dark green plant, but there are also beautiful white, variegated and golden varieties. Grown as a fence or in containers, it will provide rich visuals and a lush, vibrant wall to protect your yard from prying eyes.

Hick's yew (Taxus x media hickii) The hedge's branches hide a small red berry.
Photo: David J., via Wikimedia Commons stang

hicks youAlthough not as attractive, a sensible alternative to a living fence or privacy screen. This low-maintenance option is amazing Evergreen background for the rest of a yard, and its soft needles and winter berries Make it a fast favorite with backyard wildlife.

8. Red Twig Dogwood (cornus sericea,

Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea) The thin red branches of the shrub blend in with the background of leafless trees.
Photo: Juliana Funk/DepositPhotos

red twig dogwood It is deciduous, but when it loses its leaves in autumn it displays a cheerful and seasonal clump of bright red branches. It can tolerate extreme temperatures and even wet soils, and it provides habitat to wildlife in all seasons. This fast-growing shrub can reach 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide, making an impressive display in a yard.

9. Chocolate Wineakebia quinata,

Chocolate vine (Akebia quinata) flowers are purple-pink on a thin branch.
Photo: D’Agostini via Getty Images

Daring chocolate bellAlso known as five-leaf akebia, grows rapidly on a trellis or fence and provides a thick screen of green leaves and fragrant purple flowers in early summer. It spreads very quickly, so be sure to keep it in check with regular pruning.

10. Euonymus (euonymus europaeus,

Euonymus (Euonymus europaeus) A branch of the bush spreads out to reveal round pink fruits.
Photo: Orest Lizechka/DepositPhotos

euonymus There are privacy shrubs that come in many sizes and colors, including green, gold, and variegated. 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.

11. Cypress (Cupressus,

The Leyland cypress (Cupressus) tree has been pruned into a bush shape.
Photo: YK1500/Submitted Photos

This thin one, tall plants These are one of the best privacy trees for the backyard. leyland cypress tree It’s the ideal choice for quickly adding privacy to an outdoor space. The trees grow rapidly – ​​up to 5 feet each year – so you can expect to pry curious eyes away in a few seasons. However, remember, faster growing privacy trees require more maintenance, so keep that in mind before deciding on one.

12. Lilac (syringa vulgaris,

A blooming lilac (Syringa vulgaris) bush provides privacy on a white fence.
Photo: songbird839/depositphotos

beautiful, fragrant lilac bushes Can also be applied as privacy hedgesThey make beautiful privacy plants thanks to their colorful, pleasant-smelling flowers. Lilacs require a lot of sunlight, so choose other hedge options if you are located in a shady location. They also require annual pruning. Remove dead and damaged branches to help encourage new growth and healthy flowering.

13. Butterfly Bush (buddleja davidii,

Purple butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) flowers in bloom extend from the bush's green leaves.
Photo: REDA&CO/Getty Images

bushy purple flowers butterfly bush Attract pollinators and other beneficial insects, making it an excellent privacy choice for an edible garden. An important benefit of butterfly bush is that it is drought resistant and blooms from spring to fall. Most varieties are not invasive, but it is important to confirm before purchasing any variety.

14. Hydrangea (Hydrangea L.,

The hydrangea (Hydrangea L.) shrub produces brilliant blue flowers.
Photo: David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

hydrangea Plants grow up to 8 feet wide and 8 feet tall, making them great hedge plants. Planted in a row, the cone-shaped flowers on these privacy bushes become the focal point of the garden. One caveat: hydrangeas lose their leaves in the fall, so they don’t provide year-round privacy. However, you can combine them with other hedge plants to maintain some cover during the off-season.

15. Juniper (Juniperus communis L.,

A hanging branch of a juniper (Juniperus communis L.) bush is littered with light blue berries.
Photo: Anna Reinert via Getty Images

Many varieties of juniper are excellent privacy screen plantMany varieties, including California and Sierra junipers, grow to 10 feet or more. Some varieties are better suited to larger properties, while others prefer Spartan JuniperCan be planted closer together. Their tightly-spaced leaves also make junipers a great choice for blocking wind.

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