Best Shrubs for Privacy

The best shrubs for privacy grow quickly, require little maintenance and block a view completely. There are two kinds of privacy shrubs – those that are evergreen and those that are deciduous and lose their leaves each fall. Read on to find out which work best in the area you have selected.

Selecting Shrubs

Shrub Maintenance

Once you've decided that you want to plant a privacy fence, you'll need to decide how much maintenance you're willing to do on a yearly basis. If you choose a formal fence, plan on spending time shaping the bushes each year so they'll look neat and tidy. If leaving things alone is more your cup of tea, choose an informal fence that is either one low-maintenance variety or a combination of privacy bushes.

Shrub Location

The location you choose is very important when deciding which plants you'll use in your privacy fence. Roots grow down and laterally. The bigger the plant, the longer the roots will be. This is an important consideration when the plants will be located near a sidewalk, foundation, pool or driveway.

Shrub Size

When you're choosing shrubs be sure to know what the mature size will be. The size that the plant is in the pot may be small in relation to what it will look like full-grown. Most plants at a nursery will have tags that detail the care and mature size for each plant. If you're not sure, ask an employee in the gardening center for more information on a particular plant.

Your hardiness zone also plays a part in plant selection. Choose plants that will do well in your area and grow at a rate that fits in your maintenance plans. Fast growing shrubs will require more maintenance to keep them looking good. Flowering and deciduous shrubs will create debris in the summer and fall.

Best Shrubs for Privacy Fences

Slow Growing Varieties

• Berckman's Golden Arborvitae – Grows to a height of five feet and is densely branched. Remains golden-colored year 'round and does not require pruning.
• Camellia Japonica – A flowering evergreen that grows to a height of 12 to 20 feet and spreads 10 to 15 feet wide. Spent blooms should be removed.
• Emerald Arborvitae – Grows to a height of 15 feet and spreads up to four feet wide. Rarely needs any pruning.
• Japanese Yew – Column shaped shrub that can grow to a height of 30 feet or more. Can grow in areas with a salt spray.
• Saucer Magnolia – Works well as a hedge when used in groupings. Will grow to a height of 20 to 30 feet if not pruned.

Medium Growing Varieties

• Dense Yew – Grows up to six feet tall and wide spreading with dense branches. Prune as desired.
• French Lilac – Grows 8 to 15 feet tall and will spread slowly as additional shoots grow. Produces fragrant blooms in a variety of colors.
• Savannah Holly – Grows 8 to 12 feet tall and six to eight feet wide. Female plants produce the familiar red berries. May be pruned if desired.
• Sweet Olive – Grows up to 10 feet tall and eight feet wide. This plant is a broadleaf evergreen with dense branches. Tiny white blooms produce an apricot fragrance.
• Wax Myrtle – grows up to eight feet tall and eight feet wide. Can be pruned to shape.

Fast Growing Varieties

• Dwarf Pink Almond – Grows up to five feet tall and four feet wide. Produces double pink blossoms. Should be pruned after blooming each year.
• Forsythia – Can reach heights of 30 feet tall if not pruned and up to 20 feet wide.
• Nikko Blue Hydrangea – Grows up to 12 feet tall and 12 feet wide. Produces large blue snowball shaped blooms. Can be pruned if desired.
• Northern Bayberry – Grows up to nine feet tall with dense branches and spreads several feet wide. Can be pruned as desired.
• Redtwig Dogwood – Grows up to eight feet tall and spreads several feet wide. Noted for its red twigs in the winter and creamy white flowers in the summer.

In order to choose the best shrubs for privacy, take a look around your neighborhood to see which shrubs already exist. This may help you select the best plants for your hardiness zone. It is also important to decide whether you want lawn debris from a flowering or deciduous shrub or an evergreen that requires little maintenance. In addition, many shrubs look even better in groupings instead of just one type of shrub.

Check out local nurseries early in the spring for the best selection and you'll be on your way to a beautiful privacy fence in no time!

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