19 Rapidly Expanding Flora Species for Private Gardens, Naturally Shielding Curious Neighbors
Tired of nosy neighbors peering over the fence and ruining your peace? Look no further! We've got the ultimate guide to give you a 'Fuck you, I'm private!' outdoor space.
Fast-growing privacy plants provide a natural, beautiful solution to transform your outdoor sanctuary into a hidden sanctuaries unseen by prying eyes. From towering evergreens to dense flowering shrubs, there's a perfect privacy plant for every yard size and growing condition.
Leyland Cypress
Those looking for a quick fix for their privacy woes, look no further than the fast-growing Leyland Cypress. These bad boys shoot up 3-4 feet per year, reaching heights of 60-70 feet. Their dense, emerald-green foliage creates an impenetrable barrier year-round, even during winter. They prefer full sun to partial shade and adapt to most soil types, but perform best in well-draining locations. For ultimate privacy, plant Leyland Cypress trees 6-8 feet apart in a straight or staggered pattern.
Bamboo
For something a little more exotic, try bamboo. These aggressive growers can add 3-5 feet of height annually, making for one hell of a privacy screen! Clumping bamboo like Fargesia is generally preferred for privacy, as it's less likely to take over your yard. You'll find bamboo thriving in zones 5-10, depending on the variety, and prefers consistently moist, well-draining soil. For instant privacy, select larger container-grown specimens and plant them close together, typically 3-5 feet apart.
Arborvitae (Thuja)
The ever-dependable Arborvitae never fails to deliver reliable, low-maintenance privacy. With its dense, evergreen foliage, it maintains color throughout all seasons and grows 3-5 feet per year until reaching heights of 20-40 feet. Its naturally conical shape requires minimal pruning to maintain an attractive appearance. These hardy trees grow well in zones 2-8 and tolerate various soil conditions, though they prefer consistent moisture. Plant arborvitae 3-4 feet apart for a solid privacy screen that will fill in quickly.
Italian Cypress
Add a dramatic, Mediterranean-inspired touch to your yard with Italian Cypress trees. Reaching 40-60 feet in height but staying just 3-5 feet wide, these majestic evergreens grow approximately 2-3 feet per year. Their blue-green foliage remains dense from top to bottom, providing consistent screening. These drought-tolerant trees thrive in zones 7-11 and perform best in full sun with well-draining soil. Italian Cypress trees make excellent boundary markers when planted 3-4 feet apart, creating a formal, sophisticated privacy barrier that requires minimal maintenance once established.
Eastern Red Cedar
North American natives Eastern Red Cedars offer exceptional privacy with their dense, aromatic foliage. These trees grow about 1-2 feet yearly, eventually reaching 40-50 feet tall with a 10-20 foot spread. In addition to screening unwanted views and reducing noise, they provide excellent wildlife habitat. These highly-adaptable trees thrive in zones 2-9 and tolerate poor soils, drought, and urban pollution once established.
Privet
For a fast-growing, formal hedge, look no further than privet shrubs. These beauties can quickly reach 10-15 feet tall with an annual growth rate of 2-3 feet. Their small, oval leaves form a dense mass that effectively blocks views when left unpruned, though they can also be shaped into a precise, manicured hedge. Many varieties produce fragrant white flowers in summer. Privet grows well in zones 5-8 and tolerates most soil conditions and partial shade, though they flower best in full sun.
Euonymus
Euonymus shrubs offer versatile privacy solutions with their dense, evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage. Varieties like Manhattan euonymus grow 1-2 feet annually and feature glossy, variegated leaves that add visual interest to your property boundary. Their compact growth habit requires minimal pruning to maintain shape. These adaptable plants thrive in zones 5-9 and tolerate urban conditions including poor soil, pollution, and partial shade.
Photinia
Photinia shrubs create striking privacy screens with their vibrant red new growth that matures to glossy green, providing year-round interest. These fast-growing evergreens add 2-3 feet of height annually until reaching 10-15 feet tall with a similar spread. Their layered branching pattern forms a dense barrier that blocks views effectively. These robust shrubs grow well in zones 7-9 and prefer full sun to part shade with moderate water once established.
Holly
Holly shrubs provide excellent privacy with their dense, evergreen foliage and distinctive spiny leaves that create a natural deterrent to intruders. Fast-growing varieties like Nellie Stevens holly can add 2-3 feet per year, quickly reaching heights of 15-25 feet. Their upright, pyramidal growth habit requires minimal maintenance while providing four-season screening. These resilient plants thrive in zones 6-9 and adapt to various soil conditions in full sun to partial shade. For female hollies to produce their signature red berries, plant a male pollinator nearby.
Forsythia
Forsythia shrubs deliver privacy with a spectacular spring show, as their arching branches burst with brilliant yellow flowers before the leaves emerge. These low-maintenance plants thrive in zones 5-8 and adapt to most soil types in full sun to partial shade. For maximum privacy, plant forsythia 4-6 feet apart and allow their branches to grow naturally, or prune immediately after flowering to maintain a more controlled shape. Though they lose leaves in winter, their dense branch structure still provides partial screening during dormancy.
Lilac
Lilac bushes offer privacy with intoxicating fragrance when their lavender, purple, or white flower clusters bloom in spring. These hardy plants thrive in zones 3-7 and prefer well-draining soil with full sun exposure for best flowering. Plant lilacs 6-8 feet apart for a privacy screen that will mature within 3-5 years. While deciduous, their branching structure provides some winter screening, and their sweet perfume and butterfly-attracting blooms make them worth the seasonal trade-off.
Viburnum
Viburnum shrubs create excellent privacy screens with their diverse leaf shapes, flowers, and berries while growing 1-2 feet annually. Varieties like Leatherleaf Viburnum maintain evergreen foliage in warmer regions, reaching 10-15 feet tall with a similar spread. Their layered branching pattern forms a dense barrier that blocks views effectively. These versatile plants thrive in zones 4-8 and adapt to various light conditions from full sun to partial shade. Plant viburnums 5-6 feet apart for a privacy hedge that offers multi-season interest with fragrant spring flowers, summer berries, and often spectacular fall color.
Boxwood
Boxwoods create formal, evergreen privacy screens with their dense, small leaves that can be sculpted into precise shapes or left more natural. Though slower growing than some options at 6-12 inches per year, they form impenetrable barriers up to 8-10 feet tall depending on the variety. Their fine texture adds sophistication to property boundaries. These classic hedge plants thrive in zones 5-9 and prefer partial shade in well-draining soil. Plant boxwoods 2-3 feet apart for a privacy screen that will become increasingly dense over time.
Laurel
Laurel shrubs provide fast-growing privacy with their broad, glossy leaves forming dense screens that effectively block views. Skip Laurel and Cherry Laurel varieties grow 2-3 feet annually, quickly reaching heights of 10-18 feet with a spread of 5-10 feet. Their lush, evergreen foliage creates an attractive backdrop while ensuring year-round privacy. These vigorous plants grow well in zones 6-9 and tolerate shade better than many privacy options, though they also thrive in full sun. Plant laurels 5-6 feet apart for a hedge that will fill in within 2-3 years.
False Cypress
False Cypress trees create soft, feathery privacy screens with their delicate-looking but resilient evergreen foliage. Varieties like Leyland False Cypress grow 1-3 feet per year, reaching heights of 20-30 feet with a spread of 10-15 feet. Their graceful, slightly pendulous branches add movement and texture to privacy plantings. These elegant conifers thrive in zones 4-8 and prefer moist, well-draining soil in full sun to light shade. Plant False Cypress trees 4-6 feet apart for a privacy screen that combines effective visual blocking with ornamental appeal.
Rose of Sharon
Rose of Sharon shrubs offer privacy with a summer-long flower show, as their hollyhock-like blooms in white, pink, blue, or purple appear from July through September. These reliable plants thrive in zones 5-9 and tolerate urban conditions including poor soil, heat, and humidity. Plant Rose of Sharon shrubs 4-6 feet apart for a flowering privacy screen that will mature within 3-4 years. Their late-season blooms provide nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies while their dense summer foliage ensures privacy when outdoor living is at its peak.
Ninebark
Ninebark shrubs create colorful privacy screens with their purple, copper, or golden foliage that stands out in the landscape. These deciduous natives grow 1-2 feet annually, reaching 5-10 feet tall and wide depending on the variety. Their arching branches form a dense mass that effectively blocks views during the growing season. These adaptable plants thrive in zones 2-8 and tolerate various soil conditions in full sun to partial shade. Plant ninebarks 4-5 feet apart for a privacy screen that combines practical screening with ornamental interest.
Escallonia
Escallonia shrubs deliver privacy with glossy evergreen leaves and clusters of pink, red, or white tubular flowers that bloom from summer through fall. These fast-growing shrubs add 1-2 feet annually, reaching 6-15 feet tall depending on the variety. Their dense growth habit creates effective year-round screening in milder climates. These versatile plants thrive in zones 7-9 and perform best in full sun with moderate moisture. Plant escallonias 4-5 feet apart for a privacy hedge that combines practical screening with ornamental qualities.
Eastern White Pine
Eastern White Pine trees create soft, billowing privacy screens with their long, blue-green needles arranged in bundles of five. They grow 1-3 feet annually, eventually reaching heights of 50-80 feet with a spread of 20-40 feet. Their graceful, horizontal branching pattern forms effective visual barriers while allowing filtered light beneath. These adaptable trees thrive in zones 3-8 and prefer acidic, well-draining soil in full sun to partial shade. Plant Eastern White Pines 10-15 feet apart for a privacy screen that will mature into a magnificent living wall. The soft texture, pleasant fragrance, and wildlife value make them an excellent choice for naturalistic privacy solutions.
In summary, there's a fast-growing privacy plant for every yard size and growing condition, so don't settle for a life exposed! Choose from our selection of fast-growing evergreens, shrubs, and trees to create your perfect natural privacy screen, transforming your outdoor living space into a private oasis.
Nurture your dream of a secluded retreat by integrating home- and garden plants that act as natural privacy barriers. Incorporate Leyland Cypress or Eastern White Pine, growing up to 60 feet, for a rapid cover, or opt for Euonymus, Photinia, or boxwood hedges, requiring minimal space and offering low-maintenance screening solutions. For something more exotic, grow bamboo, which shoots up 3-5 feet per year, or cultivate privacy shrubs like Forsythia, Rose of Sharon, or Ninebark to add color and fragrance to your outdoor living space.
