Privacy Screening: 6–10 ft Evergreens That Need No Annual Trimming

Want privacy plants 6–10 ft tall, no yearly trimming. Considered arborvitae but unsure about maintenance. Suggestions?

Arborvitae Caveat

Many grow 20–70 ft. Dwarf cultivars (3 ft) need shearing. Choose variety carefully.

Better Low-Maintenance Options

• Viburnum tinus – 8–10 ft, winter flowers, light pruning only.
• Escallonia rubra 'Macrantha' – 6–8 ft, glossy leaves, summer pink flowers, shear or leave natural.
• Olearia haastii (NZ daisy bush) – 6–8 ft, white summer flowers, informal.
• Cotoneaster (select variety) – white spring flowers, fall berries, various sizes.
• Berberis darwinii – 8–10 ft, orange spring flowers, very spiny (security bonus).

Or Mix Them

Mixed hedge = more resilience, seasonal interest, wildlife value.