7 Best Plant Types for Privacy Screens and How to Use Them

Privacy is a top priority for homeowners with close neighbors, noise, or unsightly views. Plants make excellent screens—they block noise and views while adding color, texture, and seasonal interest that improves each year. Here are the best plant types for privacy and how to use them.

Tips for Responsible Privacy Planting

• Choose dense growth over quick growth. Fast-growing trees (poplar, pear) are weak-wooded, short-lived, and storm-prone. Opt for densely growing plants for solid coverage.
• Do not plant invasive species. Invasives displace natives and degrade biodiversity. Many were introduced for quick privacy and now choke natural areas. Research before buying.

1. Evergreen Trees

Provide year-round coverage. Large-leaved evergreens or conifers with branches to the ground are best.

How to plant: Space so branches just touch, or mix with evergreen shrubs for a wider screen.

Example Species:

• 'Green Giant' western redcedar (Thuja plicata 'Green Giant', zones 5–8), native to Pacific NW
• Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica, zones 5–9), native to Japan
• Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris, zones 7–10) or slash pine (P. elliottii, zones 7–10), native to SE U.S.
• Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora, zones 7–9), native to SE U.S.
• White spruce (Picea glauca, zones 2–6), native to Canada/northern U.S.; blue spruce (P. pungens, zones 2–7), native to Rockies/Northeast

2. Evergreen Shrubs

Coniferous and broadleaf evergreens provide lower sightline privacy for patios and sitting areas.

How to plant: Space so branches slightly touch, allowing overlap over time.

Example Species:

• 'Sungold' sawara cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Sungold', zones 3–7), native to Japan. Caution: All parts poisonous.
• Japanese holly (Ilex crenata, zones 5–8), native to Japan/eastern China. Caution: Fruit slightly poisonous.
• Dahoon holly (Ilex cassine, zones 6–9), native to SE U.S. Caution: Fruit poisonous.
• Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens, zones 8–11), native to SE U.S.

3. Hedge Plants

Columnar trees or upright shrubs that respond to pruning by becoming denser.

How to plant: Space at half mature width for full screening when pruned (e.g., 10‑ft wide yew planted 5 ft on center).

Example Species:

• Common privet (Ligustrum vulgare, zone 4), native to Central/Southern Europe. Caution: Leaves and berries poisonous.
• Yew plum pine (Podocarpus macrophyllus, zones 8–11), native to Japan/eastern China.
• Indian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis indica, zones 7–11), native to southern China.

4. Robust Vines

Vigorous vines that spread outward and upward form a living wall.

How to plant: Match support to climbing method: twining vines need cables/trellises; clinging vines attach to surfaces (stucco walls).

Example Species:

• Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia, zones 3–10), native throughout N. America. Caution: Berries poisonous.
• Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris, zones 4–8), native to Japan/Korea; dislikes warm, humid climates.
• Evergreen wisteria (Millettia reticulata, zones 8–11), native to southern China.

5. Bamboo

Can be invasive; choose species carefully. Two types: clumping (dense, non-spreading) and running (long rhizomes, highly invasive).

How to plant: Best in confined spaces and containers. Use root-barrier liner if planting in ground. Plant culms densely for fast privacy.

Example Species:

• Cold-hardy: Running bamboo (Phyllostachys spp.); many suit cold climates but highly invasive in U.S. South.
• Warm climates: Clumping hedge bamboo (Bambusa multiplex, zone 8), cultivars like 'Alphonse Karr'.

6. Ornamental Grasses

Best for summer/autumn privacy when they reach full lushness.

How to plant: Place in highly visible areas adjacent to summer-use spaces. Choose species 3–4 ft+ tall; use to fill gaps.

Example Species:

• 'Shenandoah' switchgrass (Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah', zones 4–9), from U.S. Midwest native.
• 'Karl Foerster' feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster', zones 5–9), from European native.
• Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii, zones 3–9), native to Midwest, West, SE U.S.
• Pacific Island silvergrass (Miscanthus floridulus, zones 6–9), native to SE U.S.

7. Weeping Trees

Specialty cultivars with branches that "melt" downward; dense foliage to ground provides privacy.

How to plant: Expensive; usually single specimens. Plant where they have room to mature.

Example Species:

• Weeping beech (Fagus sylvatica 'Pendula', zones 4–7), from European native.
• Weeping European larch (Larix decidua 'Pendula', zones 3–6), from European native.
• Weeping willow (Salix babylonica, zones 5–10), native to China.

Discover 10 intriguing weepers and creepers for your garden.