Privacy in your outdoor space can feel like a luxury in today's world of close neighbors and crowded living conditions. Nosy neighbors peering over the fence can disrupt your peace of mind and ruin the enjoyment of your backyard sanctuary. Fast-growing privacy plants offer a natural, beautiful solution to shield your space from prying eyes.
These living privacy screens not only block unwanted views but also reduce noise, filter air pollutants, and create a tranquil environment where you can truly relax. From towering evergreen trees to dense flowering shrubs, there's a perfect privacy plant for every yard size and growing condition.
Leyland Cypress
Leyland Cypress trees are among the fastest-growing privacy options available, shooting up 3-4 feet per year until reaching their mature height of 60-70 feet. These evergreen trees form a dense, emerald-green barrier that effectively blocks views year-round without losing foliage in winter. Their columnar growth habit means they don't spread too wide, making them ideal for narrower spaces.
These trees thrive in USDA hardiness zones 6-10 and prefer full sun to partial shade conditions. They adapt to most soil types but perform best in well-draining locations. For maximum privacy, plant Leyland Cypress trees 6-8 feet apart in a straight line or staggered pattern to create an impenetrable living wall.
Bamboo
Bamboo creates an exotic, tropical privacy screen that can grow incredibly fast; some varieties adding 3-5 feet of height annually. This versatile plant comes in running varieties (which spread aggressively) and clumping varieties (which stay more contained). Clumping bamboo like Fargesia is generally preferred for privacy screens as it won't take over your yard.
The dense foliage of bamboo provides excellent visual screening while its flexible stems produce a soothing rustling sound in the breeze. Bamboo thrives in zones 5-10 depending on the variety and prefers consistently moist, well-draining soil. For instant privacy, select larger container-grown specimens and plant them close together, typically 3-5 feet apart.
Arborvitae (Thuja)
Arborvitae trees offer reliable, low-maintenance privacy with their dense, evergreen foliage that maintains color throughout all seasons. Green Giant and Emerald Green varieties are particularly popular, growing 3-5 feet per year until reaching heights of 20-40 feet. Their naturally conical shape requires minimal pruning to maintain an attractive appearance.
These hardy trees grow well in zones 2-8 and tolerate various soil conditions, though they prefer consistent moisture. Plant arborvitae 3-4 feet apart for a solid privacy screen that will fill in quickly. Their thick foliage not only blocks views but also helps reduce noise pollution from busy streets or neighbor activities.
Italian Cypress
Italian Cypress trees create a dramatic, Mediterranean-inspired privacy screen with their tall, slender profile reaching 40-60 feet in height but staying just 3-5 feet wide. These distinctive evergreens grow approximately 2-3 feet per year, forming elegant columns that don't take up much ground space. Their blue-green foliage remains dense from top to bottom, providing consistent screening.
These drought-tolerant trees thrive in zones 7-11 and perform best in full sun with well-draining soil. Italian Cypress trees make excellent boundary markers when planted 3-4 feet apart, creating a formal, sophisticated privacy barrier that requires minimal maintenance once established. Their vertical growth makes them perfect for tight spaces where width is limited.
Eastern Red Cedar
Eastern Red Cedar trees offer native beauty and exceptional privacy with their dense, aromatic foliage that deters pests naturally. These North American natives grow about 1-2 feet yearly, eventually reaching 40-50 feet tall with a 10-20 foot spread. Their blue-green needles take on a bronzy hue in winter, adding seasonal interest to your privacy screen.
These highly adaptable trees thrive in zones 2-9 and tolerate poor soils, drought, and urban pollution once established. Eastern Red Cedars provide excellent wildlife habitat while screening unwanted views and reducing noise. Plant them 5-8 feet apart for an effective privacy barrier that will fill in over several growing seasons.
Privet
Privet shrubs create a fast-growing, formal hedge that can quickly reach 10-15 feet tall with an annual growth rate of 2-3 feet. Their small, oval leaves form a dense mass that effectively blocks views when left unpruned, though they can also be shaped into a precise, manicured hedge. Many varieties produce fragrant white flowers in summer, adding seasonal interest.
These adaptable shrubs grow well in zones 5-8 and tolerate most soil conditions and partial shade, though they flower best in full sun. For a quick privacy screen, plant privet shrubs 2-4 feet apart and water regularly during establishment. Within two growing seasons, the plants will merge to form a solid, living wall that can be trimmed to your desired height.
Euonymus
Euonymus shrubs offer versatile privacy solutions with their dense, evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage that creates effective screening at heights of 10-15 feet. Varieties like Manhattan euonymus grow 1-2 feet annually and feature glossy, variegated leaves that add visual interest to your property boundary. Their compact growth habit requires minimal pruning to maintain shape.
These adaptable plants thrive in zones 5-9 and tolerate urban conditions including poor soil, pollution, and partial shade. For a continuous privacy screen, plant euonymus shrubs 3-4 feet apart and water consistently during the first year. Their multi-season interest includes attractive foliage and sometimes colorful berries that persist through winter.
Photinia
Photinia shrubs create striking privacy screens with their vibrant red new growth that matures to glossy green, providing year-round interest. These fast-growing evergreens add 2-3 feet of height annually until reaching 10-15 feet tall with a similar spread. Red Tip Photinia is particularly popular for its dramatic spring flush of crimson foliage.
These robust shrubs grow well in zones 7-9 and prefer full sun to part shade with moderate water once established. Plant photinias 4-6 feet apart for a privacy hedge that will fill in within 2-3 years. In spring, clusters of small white flowers appear, followed by red berries in fall, attracting birds while maintaining your privacy barrier.
Holly
Holly shrubs provide excellent privacy with their dense, evergreen foliage and distinctive spiny leaves that create a natural deterrent to intruders. Fast-growing varieties like Nellie Stevens holly can add 2-3 feet per year, quickly reaching heights of 15-25 feet. Their upright, pyramidal growth habit requires minimal maintenance while providing four-season screening.
These resilient plants thrive in zones 6-9 and adapt to various soil conditions in full sun to partial shade. For female hollies to produce their signature red berries, plant a male pollinator nearby. Space holly shrubs 5-6 feet apart for a privacy screen that will fill in within 3-4 years while providing habitat for birds and visual interest through all seasons.
Forsythia
Forsythia shrubs deliver privacy with a spectacular spring show, as their arching branches burst with brilliant yellow flowers before the leaves emerge. These deciduous shrubs grow quickly, adding 2-3 feet annually until reaching their mature size of 8-10 feet tall and wide. Their fountain-like growth habit creates a natural, informal screen.
These low-maintenance plants thrive in zones 5-8 and adapt to most soil types in full sun to partial shade. For maximum privacy, plant forsythia 4-6 feet apart and allow their branches to grow naturally, or prune immediately after flowering to maintain a more controlled shape. Though they lose leaves in winter, their dense branch structure still provides partial screening during dormancy.
Lilac
Lilac bushes offer privacy with intoxicating fragrance when their lavender, purple, or white flower clusters bloom in spring. These deciduous shrubs grow at a moderate rate of 1-2 feet per year, eventually reaching 8-15 feet tall depending on the variety. Their heart-shaped leaves create dense summer foliage that effectively blocks views.
These hardy plants thrive in zones 3-7 and prefer well-draining soil with full sun exposure for best flowering. Plant lilacs 6-8 feet apart for a privacy screen that will mature within 3-5 years. While deciduous, their branching structure provides some winter screening, and their sweet perfume and butterfly-attracting blooms make them worth the seasonal trade-off.
Viburnum
Viburnum shrubs create excellent privacy screens with their diverse leaf shapes, flowers, and berries while growing 1-2 feet annually. Varieties like Leatherleaf Viburnum maintain evergreen foliage in warmer regions, reaching 10-15 feet tall with a similar spread. Their layered branching pattern forms a dense barrier that blocks views effectively.
These versatile plants thrive in zones 4-8 and adapt to various light conditions from full sun to partial shade. Plant viburnums 5-6 feet apart for a privacy hedge that offers multi-season interest with fragrant spring flowers, summer berries, and often spectacular fall color. Their bird-friendly fruits add ecological value while maintaining your visual separation from neighbors.
Boxwood
Boxwood shrubs create formal, evergreen privacy screens with their dense, small leaves that can be sculpted into precise shapes or left more natural. Though slower growing than some options at 6-12 inches per year, they form impenetrable barriers up to 8-10 feet tall depending on the variety. Their fine texture adds sophistication to property boundaries.
These classic hedge plants thrive in zones 5-9 and prefer partial shade in well-draining soil. Plant boxwoods 2-3 feet apart for a privacy screen that will become increasingly dense over time. Their evergreen nature ensures year-round screening, while their tolerance for regular shearing allows you to maintain exactly the height and width needed for your privacy requirements.
Laurel
Laurel shrubs provide fast-growing privacy with their broad, glossy leaves forming dense screens that effectively block views. Skip Laurel and Cherry Laurel varieties grow 2-3 feet annually, quickly reaching heights of 10-18 feet with a spread of 5-10 feet. Their lush, evergreen foliage creates an attractive backdrop while ensuring year-round privacy.
These vigorous plants grow well in zones 6-9 and tolerate shade better than many privacy options, though they also thrive in full sun. Plant laurels 5-6 feet apart for a hedge that will fill in within 2-3 years. In spring, fragrant white flower spikes appear, followed by small berries that attract birds while maintaining your privacy barrier.
False Cypress
False Cypress trees create soft, feathery privacy screens with their delicate-looking but resilient evergreen foliage. Varieties like Leyland False Cypress grow 1-3 feet per year, reaching heights of 20-30 feet with a spread of 10-15 feet. Their graceful, slightly pendulous branches add movement and texture to privacy plantings.
These elegant conifers thrive in zones 4-8 and prefer moist, well-draining soil in full sun to light shade. Plant False Cypress trees 4-6 feet apart for a privacy screen that combines effective visual blocking with ornamental appeal. Their scale-like foliage comes in various colors from bright green to blue-gray to gold, allowing for creative privacy solutions.
Rose of Sharon
Rose of Sharon shrubs offer privacy with a summer-long flower show, as their hollyhock-like blooms in white, pink, blue, or purple appear from July through September. These deciduous shrubs grow 1-2 feet yearly until reaching 8-12 feet tall with a 6-10 foot spread. Their upright growth habit creates effective screening during the growing season.
These reliable plants thrive in zones 5-9 and tolerate urban conditions including poor soil, heat, and humidity. Plant Rose of Sharon shrubs 4-6 feet apart for a flowering privacy screen that will mature within 3-4 years. Their late-season blooms provide nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies while their dense summer foliage ensures privacy when outdoor living is at its peak.
Ninebark
Ninebark shrubs create colorful privacy screens with their purple, copper, or golden foliage that stands out in the landscape. These deciduous natives grow 1-2 feet annually, reaching 5-10 feet tall and wide depending on the variety. Their arching branches form a dense mass that effectively blocks views during the growing season.
These adaptable plants thrive in zones 2-8 and tolerate various soil conditions in full sun to partial shade. Plant ninebarks 4-5 feet apart for a privacy screen that combines practical screening with ornamental interest. Their exfoliating bark provides winter interest, while their small spring flower clusters and fall color extend their seasonal appeal.
Escallonia
Escallonia shrubs deliver privacy with glossy evergreen leaves and clusters of pink, red, or white tubular flowers that bloom from summer through fall. These fast-growing shrubs add 1-2 feet annually, reaching 6-15 feet tall depending on the variety. Their dense growth habit creates effective year-round screening in milder climates.
These versatile plants thrive in zones 7-9 and perform best in full sun with moderate moisture. Plant escallonias 4-5 feet apart for a privacy hedge that combines practical screening with ornamental qualities. Their slightly sticky leaves have a pleasant apple-cinnamon scent when brushed, adding sensory appeal to your privacy barrier.
Eastern White Pine
Eastern White Pine trees create soft, billowing privacy screens with their long, blue-green needles arranged in bundles of five. These native evergreens grow 1-3 feet annually, eventually reaching 50-80 feet tall with a spread of 20-40 feet. Their graceful, horizontal branching pattern forms effective visual barriers while allowing filtered light beneath.
These adaptable trees thrive in zones 3-8 and prefer acidic, well-draining soil in full sun to partial shade. Plant Eastern White Pines 10-15 feet apart for a privacy screen that will mature into a magnificent living wall. Their soft texture, pleasant fragrance, and wildlife value make them an excellent choice for naturalistic privacy solutions.
Creating Your Perfect Natural Privacy Screen
Privacy plants transform ordinary boundaries into living sanctuaries that enhance property value while providing personal space. The best approach often combines several plant types at different heights to create a layered effect that looks natural while maximizing screening. Consider your climate, available space, and desired maintenance level when selecting from these fast-growing options.
Remember that even the fastest-growing plants require some patience; plan your privacy strategy before urgent needs arise. With thoughtful selection and proper care, these natural privacy solutions will continue to improve with age, creating boundaries that not only block unwanted views but also beautify your landscape and support local wildlife.