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Peace. Quiet. Solitude. Privacy.
Privacy Hedges allows you to enjoy all these qualities in any yard, no matter how noisy or urban the area.
It blocks noise and peering eyes while providing beauty to the garden and a home for small animals.
So what bushes are good for privacy? We have compiled a list of the best bushes for privacy. They are each suitable for different situations, so we are sure you will find your perfect match!
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8 Varieties of Privacy Hedges
WHAT MAKES A GREAT PRIVACY HEDGE?
For great privacy hedges there are three main factors:
- 1. Density
- 2. Height
- 3. Evergreen
You want tightly-branched evergreens for privacy to avoid any gaps. You can do this two ways: opt for privacy shrubs with extremely dense branching, or trim your looser-growing hedge religiously each year.
Height
The great news about evergreen hedges for privacy or garden over a fence is you can usually grow a hedge much taller than you might be allowed to build a fence based on CC&Rs from your community. Want privacy for the second story windows of your house? No problem.
Evergreen
This one is flexible. While evergreens will provide solid, year-round protection, if you only need it for an outdoor space in the summer you could go with deciduous privacy hedges. We recommend choosing privacy shrubs, something like European Beech, which is deciduous but holds its copper-colored leaves through the winter and still provides a shield.
MAINTAINING A PRIVACY HEDGE
The key to maintaining a perfectly dense privacy hedge is consistent pruning on the sides. If the hedge is allowed to grow large and leggy, then pruned hard, you will end up with gaps (in laurels and beech this can be corrected, but in conifers, it usually can’t). A quick, simple trim once per year on fast-growing varieties and once every 2 years on slow-growing varieties is all you need to keep your hedge full and dense. Pruning the top half of the privacy hedges a little slimmer than the bottom will keep the lower branches nice and full (see the diagram below).
For more information on how to get privacy trees as fast as possible, check out our page on fast-growing hedges.
Swimming pools are one of the most important places to use privacy hedges
Homes located on busy streets can still feel quiet and secluded when surrounded by a privacy hedge
Simple and elegant privacy hedges can be used at residences, restaurants, and event venues to create private outdoor eating areas
Emerald Green Arborvitae gives dense privacy, blocking noise, wind, and eyesores
Block neighborhood sounds and views with privacy hedges to create a peaceful sanctuary
Entries and driveways gain drama and glamour when lined with lush privacy hedges
Create peaceful, quiet spaces by surrounding them with tall privacy hedges
Outdoor living becomes a lot more peaceful with a lush privacy hedge
Block noise effectively by layering different heights of privacy hedges around an outdoor living space
Even urban courtyard spaces can feel like the country when surrounded by privacy hedges
BEST PRIVACY HEDGES
EUROPEAN BEECH
Fagus Sylvatica
European Beech is one of the best bushes for privacy which is an extremely popular choice in Europe and for European-styled gardens. It offers lush, green foliage in the spring and summer and copper fall color that persists through the winter. Even though it is deciduous, the persistent leaves still provide some peace through the winter months. Grows in full sun to part shade. One of the best plants for privacy for zone 5-8.
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EVERGREEN/DECIDUOUS Deciduous, but holds copper leaves through winter
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HARDINESS ZONE Zones 5-8
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GROWTH RATE Moderate (‘<1-2’ feet per year)
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PRUNING FREQUENCY Once per year
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PESTS None
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GOOD FOR PRIVACY BECAUSE Unique, dense growth, low-maintenance, deer-resistant, adds color and interest to fall/winter garden
ENGLISH LAUREL
Prunus Laurocerasus
One of the fastest-growing evergreens for privacy, English Laurel (or Prunus laurocerasus) will fill out a big space quickly. It is a great option as privacy hedges if you want a tall hedge quickly. Make sure to keep on top of pruning to keep it from getting leggy. Beautiful glossy green foliage with white flowers in spring and inedible berries in the summer. Deer proof. Grows in full sun to partial shade. Best plants for privacy for zone 6-9.
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EVERGREEN/DECIDUOUS Broadleaf Evergreen
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HARDINESS ZONE Zones 6-9
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GROWTH RATE Fast (up to 3 feet per year)
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PRUNING FREQUENCY Once per year
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PESTS None
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GOOD FOR PRIVACY BECAUSE Will get large fast, great for tall hedges, deer proof
SCHIP LAUREL
Prunus Laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’
Schip laurel which is one the best evergreens for privacy (sometimes called Skip Laurel or Schipka Laurel or Cherry Laurel) has the benefits of the English Laurel with the added benefit of a more upright growth habit, requiring less pruning to keep the width in check. It also has a longer, narrower leaf shape that is a bit darker green. Grows in full sun to shade. One of the best privacy bushes to consider.
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EVERGREEN/DECIDUOUS Broadleaf Evergreen
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HARDINESS ZONE Zones 6-9
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GROWTH RATE Fast (up to 3 feet per year)
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PRUNING FREQUENCY Once per year
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PESTS None
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GOOD FOR PRIVACY BECAUSE Will get large fast, great for tall hedges, deer proof
PORTUGUESE LAUREL
Prunus Lusitanica
Portuguese Laurel or Prunus Lusitanica has a wonderfully dense natural growth habit. It also grows quickly, so you could have a large, dense hedge with little effort in a very short time. It is a great option for warmer parts of the country as it is very tolerant of heat, drought, poor soil, salt, and pollution. It has stunning green leaves with contrasting red petioles. It has white flowers in the spring and bears black fruits in the summer that are inedible to humans but a good food source for birds. They are one of the best deer proof privacy bushes. Does well in full sun.
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EVERGREEN/DECIDUOUS Broadleaf Evergreen
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HARDINESS ZONE Zones 7-9
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GROWTH RATE Fast (up to 1.5 feet per year)
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PRUNING FREQUENCY Once per year
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PESTS None
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GOOD FOR PRIVACY BECAUSE Naturally dense growth habit, beautiful foliage, deer proof, great for warm areas
AMERICAN ARBORVITAE
Thuja Occidentalis
American Arborvitae or Thuja Occidentalis is a great choice for those in cold regions (it is hardy to zone 2!) who want a fast-growing privacy hedge. It will get tall quickly and form a very dense screen with consistent pruning. Grows in full sun to partial shade. Excellent choice in terms of fast growing evergreen shrubs for privacy.
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EVERGREEN/DECIDUOUS Evergreen
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HARDINESS ZONE Zones 2-8
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GROWTH RATE Fast (up to 1.5 feet per year)
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PRUNING FREQUENCY Once per year
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PESTS Deer
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GOOD FOR PRIVACY BECAUSE Fast grower, evergreen, dense, very cold hardy
EMERALD GREEN ARBORVITAE
Thuja Occidentalis ‘Smaragd’
Emerald Green Arborvitae is the ultimate choice for a dense privacy hedge. With an Emerald Green hedge, there is zero chance of seeing anything through it. It grows slowly and requires very infrequent pruning. Although it grows slowly, it will become quite tall if given enough time. It has an extremely narrow footprint, so it does well in small areas. It has beautiful, dark green foliage. Requires full sun. Emerald Green Arborvitae is one of the best bushes for privacy.
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EVERGREEN/DECIDUOUS Evergreen
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HARDINESS ZONE Zones 2-8
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GROWTH RATE Slow (less than 1 foot per year )
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PRUNING FREQUENCY Lightly once per year
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PESTS Deer
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GOOD FOR PRIVACY BECAUSE Extremely dense, requires little pruning, small footprint
GREEN GIANT ARBORVITAE
Thuja X ‘Green Giant’
Green Giant Arborvitae has an incredibly vigorous growth rate, reaching up to 5 feet of growth per year under ideal conditions! If a large hedge is needed as fast as possible, this is a great option. Green Giant has lush green foliage all year, providing optimum screening capabilities. It will require intensive pruning to keep at a small size, but it is one of the large privacy trees for backyard. It does well in full sun to partial shade. Deer resistant.
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EVERGREEN/DECIDUOUS Evergreen
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HARDINESS ZONE Zones 5-8
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GROWTH RATE FAST (up to 3-5 feet per year)
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PRUNING FREQUENCY Once per year, or twice to keep small
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PESTS None
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GOOD FOR PRIVACY BECAUSE The fastest grower, ideal for very large hedges, deer resistant
VIRESCENS WESTERN RED CEDAR
Thuja Plicata ‘Virescens’
Virescens Western Red Cedar is a lovely, upright-growing cedar, native to the Pacific Northwest. Considered as one of the best bushes for privacy. Its unique habit means a small footprint, making it great for tight spaces. It responds well to either intense or relaxed pruning. It does well in full sun and partial shade.
Get the Best privacy hedges at affordable prices at InstantHedge Oregon.
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EVERGREEN/DECIDUOUS Evergreen
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HARDINESS ZONE Zones 5-8
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GROWTH RATE Moderate (up to 2 feet per year)
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PRUNING FREQUENCY Once per year
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PESTS None
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GOOD FOR PRIVACY BECAUSE Upright habit, low maintenance, small footprint, deer-proof
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