Privacy Trees & Shrubs

Plants that work well for privacy typically grow dense, reach the desired height, and hold foliage for most or all of the year. The best choice depends on how tall you want the screen and how quickly you’d like it to fill in.

Matching mature size and growth rate to your space helps create effective, long-lasting privacy without overcrowding.

Growth rate varies by variety, but many privacy trees and shrubs are selected specifically because they grow quickly and fill in gaps within a few seasons.

• Fast-growing options: Some evergreens and large shrubs can add 12–24 inches (or more) of height per year under good conditions.
• Moderate growers: Many landscape-quality plants average 8–12 inches per year, balancing speed with strong structure.
• What affects growth: Sunlight, soil quality, water, fertilizer, and spacing all play a role in how quickly your screen fills in.

For the quickest results, choose varieties noted as fast-growing, prepare the soil well, and water consistently during the establishment period.

In smaller yards or narrow side yards, compact and columnar plants are usually the best choice. They provide height and coverage without taking over the entire space.

• Columnar evergreens: Narrow, upright varieties are ideal for tight property lines, along driveways, or beside patios where width is limited.
• Dwarf and compact shrubs: Smaller shrub forms can be clipped into low hedges or used in staggered rows for softer, layered privacy.
• Mixed plantings: Combining a few taller columns with shorter shrubs or ornamental grasses can create a more natural, space-efficient screen.

Always check the mature width on each product page and choose plants that fit comfortably in your available space without constant heavy pruning.

Evergreen plants are usually the first choice for privacy because they hold foliage year-round, but deciduous shrubs and trees also have a place in privacy plantings.

• Evergreen benefits: Provide consistent screening in all seasons, including winter. Ideal for blocking views of roads, neighboring windows, or busy areas.
• Deciduous benefits: Often grow quickly, offer spring flowers or fall color, and can be more open and airy when leafless in winter.
• Best approach: Many landscapes use a backbone of evergreens for constant coverage, then layer deciduous shrubs or small trees in front for seasonal interest.

If year-round privacy is your main goal, prioritize evergreens and semi-evergreens, then mix in deciduous plants where you want extra color or texture.

Proper spacing is essential for forming a healthy hedge or screen. A common guideline is to space plants at roughly two-thirds of their mature width.

Allowing enough room prevents overcrowding and reduces long-term maintenance while still achieving effective privacy.

Many privacy trees and shrubs are well-suited to cold climates and breezy sites, but it’s important to match each plant to your conditions and USDA Hardiness Zone.

• Check hardiness zones: Each product page lists a USDA Hardiness Zone range. Choose plants that are reliably hardy in your zone or colder.
• Look for wind-tolerant varieties: Some evergreens and shrubs naturally handle wind better than others. Dense, flexible plants often perform best in exposed areas.
• Planting for protection: In very windy sites, staggered rows, mixed plantings, and a bit of extra spacing can help reduce stress and break up strong gusts.
• Winter care: Deep watering in fall, a layer of mulch, and avoiding heavy pruning late in the season all help privacy plants handle winter better.

When you choose varieties that are hardy for your zone and suited to your site conditions, privacy trees and shrubs can provide reliable coverage even through cold winters and blustery days.