Best Screening Hedge Plants for Privacy
If you are looking for a natural way to turn your property into a private oasis while keeping nosy neighbors at bay, then screening hedges are the way to go.
Screening hedges can not only provide privacy and security but also can add charm and value to your property.
There is a wide choice of hedges for screening and here is a look at some of the very best privacy hedges you can find.
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11 Best Hedges for Screening (Privacy Plants)
#1. Arborvitae
Known by the nickname the “green giant” a row of Arborvitae can make a great screening hedge that not only protects your property from prying eyes, but adds to the security of your property as well.
The Arborvitae is a thick set evergreen that can form an impenetrable wall. This evergreen grows best in well-drained soil and in full or partial sunlight.
If you live in hardiness zones 5 through 8 you might want to consider this plant for hedging your property.
Arborvitae also makes a good balcony plant for privacy, but you will need to prune it regularly, to prevent it from growing too tall for your balcony.
#2. Firethorn
If you are looking for a screening hedge that offers you privacy, security and dashes of color then you couldn’t do much better than the firethorn.
This plant has stems with sharp spines, green leaves, Ivory flowers and red, yellow and orange berries.
This hedge is a favorite of hummingbirds and bees, but does need to be grown against a wall.
The firethorn does best when planted in well-drained soil and has full sunlight or partial shade. It thrives best when grown in zones 6 through 9.
#3. Copper Beech
Another colorful hedge plant is the Copper Beech. This plant can be clipped into a straight line and leaves that are claret colored in the summer and rust colored in the fall and winter.
However, in order to maintain the leaves during the winter months, this plant needs to be cut during the month of August or it won’t retain its leaves.
This hedge can grow between 6 and 10 feet tall offering a lot of privacy. It grows best in zones 4 through 7.
#4. Blue Arrow juniper Plant
When other hedges are losing their sparkle during the winter months, this is when the Blue Arrow shines.
This conifer has icy-blue colored foliage, which is extremely beautiful during the winter months when snow is on the ground. This plant seems to glow in dim light and serves as a great food source and shelter for wildlife.
Native to the Eastern U.S, the Blue Arrow grows between 5 and 15 feet tall.
It does best in full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil and when several Blue Arrows are planted close together, they make for a beautiful screening hedge. This plant thrives when planted in zones 2 through 7.
#5. Bamboo
There are several varieties of bamboo you can choose from. Not only does this plant make for a great screening hedge, but also it works well in smaller gardens and yards.
Additionally, when the wind blows, bamboo makes a musical whistling rustling sound that is delightful to listen to.
This plant can grow 10 to 15 feet tall, but does need some care as the offshoots or runners need to be cut off close to the main plant in order to maintain growth control. Depending on the type of bamboo you choose this plant grows best in zones 4 through 9.
#6. Oleander
A drought tolerant evergreen shrub, Oleander grows in different types of soil and has fragrant flowers. This hedge can grow 4 feet tall and 10 feet wide.
Oleander is easy to care for and is perfect for Oceanside properties since it can easily withstand sea spray.
This hedge is mound shaped, but it is toxic to humans and pets and burning parts of the plant can cause the toxins to cause respiratory problems.
#7. Holly
Holly is another colorful plant (with spiky leaves) that makes for a wonderful screening hedge. There are both male and female plants with the female plant having whitish green flowers and bright red berries.
The American Holly is the most adaptable and is a medium fast grower. Each plant can grow 6 to 10 feet tall and spreads 5 to 8 feet.
Holly grows best in well-drained slightly acidic soil and full sun or partial shade. This plant grows well in zones 5 to 9.
#8. Pittosporum
The Pittosporum is an evergreen shrub that can grow anywhere from 4 to 15 feet tall.
This plant has glossy green leaves and lovely scented flowers that are sure to perfume the air. It is fast growing and is easy to prune. A hardy plant that likes sun and partial shade as well as well drained soil.
There are different varieties of this shrub; most are better suited to warmer environments. This plant should thrive in zones 7 to 10.
#9. Yew
For those of you who want your privacy hedges to have interesting shapes, the Yew may be the best choice. The Yew is used for decorative topiary hedging and creates privacy due to its dense growth that is easy to prune.
The small leaves allow for easier shaping and this plant can live for hundreds of years with proper care.
It also bears scarlet berries and grows best when planted in well-drained soil. The Yew is poisonous and grows from 6 to 8 feet tall. This plant grows best in zones 5 through 8.
10. Skip Laurel
The Skip Laurel is a variety of the Cherry Laurel. A hardy plant for hedges, the Skip Laurel is an upright evergreen privacy hedge with fragrant flowers.
This screening hedge has shiny leaves and flowers that are bottle brush shaped. The Skip Laurel can grow 6 to 10 feet high and grows best in zones 6 to 9.
11. Boxwood
The Boxwood is a privacy hedge plant that comes in various species. The size of this plant will depend on this species and responds well to shaping and pruning.
This plant needs to be pruned in late spring and grows best in full sunlight or partial shade. The Boxwood grows best in zones 6 to 8.
Final Thoughts on the Best Hedges for Screening (Privacy Hedges)
Choosing the best hedges for screening is going to depend on the climate where you live as well as your own personal taste.
