Choosing Between Buddleia davidii and B. alternifolia for a Privacy Hedge

For a 100-foot, fast-growing, deer-resistant privacy screen at 3,300 ft elevation in Zone 7 (Cobb, CA), the choice between Buddleia davidii and B. alternifolia matters — but neither may be ideal.

Key Differences

Expert Verdict

Avoid B. davidii — it requires hard pruning to bloom well and stay vigorous. B. alternifolia is better but still not ideal for a dense, tall screen.

Better Alternatives for Privacy

• Forsythia — fast, dense, early flowers
• Weigela — colorful blooms, tidy habit
• Pine species — for height and year-round screening

Plant 4–6 ft apart for a solid hedge; keep 3+ ft from property line.