Do you treasure your privacy but do not like or cannot build a fence? Planting fast-growing shrubs for privacy around your yard is the best barrier you can create between your home and the streets. Shrubs can transform your property into a secluded sanctuary.
A line of shrubs provides privacy better than a fence. There may be city restrictions on a fence’s height, but there are likely no restrictions on high you can grow your shrubs.
The ideal conditions for growth vary by species of shrubs, but shrubs generally love the sun. When exposed to six hours a day of direct sunlight, the shrubs’ foliage will be full, and you will continuously have your privacy.
Features of the Best Shrubs for Privacy
The best shrubs for privacy are the ones that are fast-growing shrubs. Aside from being fast-growing, these shrubs should grow to the height that you need or desire.
These shrubs should grow dense foliage to serve as a natural barrier between your home and the streets or the outside world. These shrubs should not only keep curious and nosy neighbors out but also the wind and noise.
Planting Advice for the Best Shrubs for Privacy
The shrubs you choose for privacy should be able to provide year-round protection not just from nosy neighbors but from the elements, as well. Pick shrubs that can grow tall or have compact cultivars.
While you are planting shrubs to ensure your home’s privacy, they can also enhance the curb appeal of your home.
When planting shrubs, it is vital to bear in mind their mature height and width. Shrubs do not really need much space between them. The space you allot between shrubs should be able to accommodate their mature width.
Shrubs are best planted in a zig-zag pattern rather than in a straight line. This allows more space for the shrubs to grow. The shrubs will also eventually form into a denser and wider row.
The fall season is the best time to plant shrubs. The cool air and warm ground encourage better root growth. These conditions also allow shrubs to be established before winter when they become dormant and before disease and pest arise in spring.
How to Maintain Privacy Shrubs
They are many types and varieties of privacy shrubs. They create secluded gardens with year-long foliage and completely block the view of your home from the outside. Their beautiful flowers create fantastic borders for your property, too.
The best shrubs for privacy are fast-growing, grow densely, and need little maintenance. Most fast-growing shrubs grow tall and straight and only need occasional pruning to control their spread and height.
How to Choose the Best Privacy Shrubs
Take into consideration these factors when choosing the best shrubs for privacy:
• Size
Know the mature size of your chosen shrub. This will help you determine how far apart you need to plant them.
• Maintenance
If you want a formal and uniform living fence, you should be willing to find the time to shape the shrubs every year so they will look tidy and neat. There are also shrubs you can use for privacy that needs little or no maintenance. This will create an informal fence.
• Hardiness Zone
The hardiness zone of a shrub is an essential factor in your choice. It would be best to choose shrubs that will grow well in your area and with maintenance plans that suit your lifestyle.
Fast-growing shrubs need more maintenance to keep them looking neat and beautiful. On the other hand, deciduous and flowering shrubs will fill your yard with debris in fall and summer.
10 Fast-Growing Shrubs for Privacy
Some shrubs grow fast, while others take some time to grow. If you need shrubs for privacy, they should be fast-growing and get established quicker.
1. Arborvitae
Arborvitae can grow in sand or clay soil or any soil conditions. They should be planted at least five to six feet apart for a quick windbreak if you want a gradual hedge, plant arborvitae five to ten feet apart.
Arborvitae grows into a pyramid shape. They do not need to be pruned and are resistant to pests. They are deer resistant, too.
Arborvitae is a fast-grower. They can grow to be 60 feet and spread up to 20 feet. They thrive on partial to full sun. Although they can grow in any soil condition, they prefer moist and well-drained loams.
Growing Zones: 2-7
2. Dwarf Pink Almond
Dwarf Pink Almond is a broad-leafed shrub with multiple stems. It comes with double pink flowers or sometimes white blossoms during spring. This deciduous shrub can grow to up to 5-feet in height and 4-feet wide.
The flowers of this shrub come out before leaves appear in the branches. This shrub requires pruning every year after it blooms.
Growing Zones: 4-9
3. Boxwood
Boxwood is a versatile and flexible shrub. You can plant it in any soil condition provided the soil drains well. It thrives in partial shade.
It brings year-round color to your yard. It can be shaped and pruned inro whimsical and geometric shapes.
Boxwoods come in various growth rates, habits, and sizes. If you want cones or spirals, choose the more vigorous and taller plants with columnar or conical shapes such as the B. Green Tower or the Buxus ‘Green Mountain’ varieties.
Growing Zone: 6-8
4. Cherry Laurel
Cherry Laurel is an excellent privacy shrub. It is fast-growing and has year-round shiny green foliage. It comes with dense growth and can grow up to 15 -30 feet.
Cherry laurels need to be regularly pruned to keep them at a manageable size. It thrives in partial to full sun.
Cherry laurel is not only a privacy screen; it can also brighten your yard with its white flowers that appear in summer. The flowers also give off a fruity fragrance.
Growth Zones: 5-9
5. Laurustinus
Laurustinus is a perfect living privacy screen for your home. It is easy to grow, and its stunning flowers are what create your living fence.
This shrub comes with densely clustered flowers and dark leaves that can add beauty to your yard. This fast-growing shrub can grow to a height of up to 6 feet and is perfect as a border hedge.
It requires regular pruning, so it will grow as a romantic and formal hedge.
Growth Zones: 7-8
6. Firethorn
The Firethorn creates a privacy screen with its ornamental and decorative red berries. The bushes create stunning glossy foliage circled with thorny spikes. White flower clusters appear in summer and spring and turn to orange or bright red in fall and winter.
You can prune Firethorns or allow them to grow as border bushes along walls or fences for added security. As a barrier hedge, they can keep unwanted guests away.
Growth Zone: 6-9
7. Forsythia (Forsythia)
Forsythias (Forsythias) are broad-leafed flowering shrubs that are part of the olive family. These fast-growing shrubs are low in maintenance. They grow in an arching and upright form.
When Forsythias flowers start to turn yellow, it means spring is fast approaching. Forsythias flowers are among the earliest to appear in spring.
Forsythias have long branches with yellow blooms. This shrub’s flowers appear before their leaves. This means you get to enjoy the flowers without leaves blocking your view.
They thrive in part shade to a full sun and love well-drained and loose soil.
Growing Zones: 5-8
8. Japanese Spindle
The Japanese Spindle is a privacy screen with dense foliage. It is excellent as a border privacy shrub.
The Japanese Spindle Shrub has brightly colored and small leaves that develop into dense foliage. It is ideal to be planted side by side to make jolly privacy hedges. They are easy to grow and are among the best choices when you need added privacy and security in your home.
Mature Japanese Spindle can grow from 6.5 feet to 26 feet. It can grow well in your garden even with minimal maintenance.
Growth Zones: 7B -10A
9. Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster comes with glossy and green leaves as well as small and red berries. The branches of this shrub are dense and stiff (rock cotoneaster). Stems protrude from the branches in what is called by landscapers a “herringbone pattern,”
If you are looking at Cotoneasters as a privacy screen, go for the taller varieties such as the C. lucidus.
Growth Zones: 5 – 7
10. Canadian Hemlock
The Canadian Hemlock is not poisonous that, history says, killed Socrates. The Canadian Hemlock can be a shrub or a tree, depending on where you live. The Canadian Hemlock is known to be a towering tree if you live.
Canadian Hemlock is known to be a towering tree if you live in rural North America. If you live in suburbia, the Canadian Hemlock is one of the best shrubs for privacy.
The Canadian Hemlock grows well in moist and rich soil. It thrives in part shade and part sun.
Growth Zone: 3-7
Final Thoughts
To choose the best shrubs for privacy, look around your neighborhood and check which shrubs are already there. This will give you an idea of which shrubs to pick based on your home’s hardiness zone.
If you are in a dilemma on what shrub to choose, go down to your local nursery in the early spring, and you will be able to decide on the best shrubs for privacy for your home.
Jenny M
Tribal Writer
Edited by
Patricia Godwin
