Let's be honest - fences are expensive, they need maintenance, and let's face it, they're not exactly pretty. But what if you could create plenty of privacy with living plants instead? The right trees for privacy and tall shrubs can block views, reduce noise, and make your yard feel like a private retreat - all while looking gorgeous.
The best part? Unlike fences, plants actually improve over time. They grow fuller, change with the seasons, and create a much more natural look. Whether you need to screen a busy street, hide a neighbor's second-story window, or just create intimate garden rooms, there's a perfect plant solution.
Before we dive into specific plants, let's talk about why living privacy screens beat fences every time:
Plus, with a good professional landscape design, you can create layers of privacy that look intentional and beautiful, not just like a wall of green.
When you need serious height, these trees for privacy deliver:
This is the go-to choice for privacy in many areas. These slender evergreen trees grow about 15 feet tall but only 3-4 feet wide, perfect for tight spaces.
Why they're great: They grow fast, stay green all year, and form a perfect dense screen when planted close together.
The speed demon of privacy trees, Leyland cypress can grow 3-4 feet per year, reaching 40-60 feet tall if you let them.
Best for: Quick results in large spaces. Just note: They need regular trimming to stay manageable.
Want privacy with berries? This evergreen tree grows 15-30 feet tall with spiny leaves and bright red winter berries.
Bonus: It's a native plant that birds love, and the thick leaves make an excellent natural screen.
For a Mediterranean look, these ultra-narrow trees shoot up to 40 feet tall but stay just 3-5 feet wide.
Ideal for: Tight spaces where width is limited.
When you don't need tree-height, these shrubs make perfect privacy hedges:
A popular choice for good reason - it grows fast to about 15 feet, has shiny evergreen foliage, and tolerates shade.
Why plant it? The thick leaves block views completely, and they handle most soil types.
This holly grows fast to 15-20 feet, with dense prickly leaves that discourage intruders.
Special feature: The red berries add winter color and attract birds.
For ultra-fast privacy (up to 3 feet per year!), clumping bamboo forms impenetrable dense foliage.
Important: Only use clumping types - running bamboo can become an invasive species.
The classic formal hedge plant, privet grows quickly and can be trimmed into neat shapes.
Good to know: It's deciduous in cold climates but grows back thick each spring.
Just planting a row of shrubs isn't enough. For best results:
While these plants are tougher than fences, they do need some care:
Pro tip: For the first year, pay extra attention to watering - this helps plants establish strong roots for a better level of privacy later.
Creating a perfect landscape screening isn't just about planting a wall of green. Our landscape architects consider:
At Signature Landscape, we specialize in professional landscape design that gives you privacy without sacrificing beauty. We can create custom solutions using the best privacy plants for your exact situation.
Who needs a boring fence when you can have living privacy? From the classic Emerald Green Arborvitae to fast-growing bamboo, there are so many ways to create secluded outdoor spaces naturally. The right plants can block views, reduce noise, and make your yard feel like a private oasis - all while looking much prettier than any fence.
Ready to transform your yard? Visit Signature Landscape to see how we can design the perfect natural privacy screen for your home. With our help, you'll enjoy complete privacy in no time - the beautiful, natural way.
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