Want privacy but hate the look of a fence? Natural screening is more beautiful, often more effective, and can add significantly to your property value.
Fast-Growing Options
Bamboo (Running Types)
Grows 3-5 feet per year. Must be contained with barriers. Evergreen and dense. Clumping varieties are less aggressive but slower.
Leyland Cypress
Grows 3-4 feet per year. Evergreen screen to 40+ feet. Plant 6-8 feet apart. Can be pruned to any height.
Arborvitae
Grows 1-2 feet per year. Dense, evergreen, low-maintenance. 'Green Giant' variety is disease-resistant. Deer may browse in winter.
Evergreen Screens
Holly
Dense, spiny leaves deter intruders. Red berries in winter. Grows in sun or shade. Slow but worth the wait.
Privet
Semi-evergreen in cold climates. Fast-growing and tolerant. Can be formal (hedged) or informal. Inexpensive to install.
Podocarpus
Yew pine — soft texture, dense growth. Tolerates pruning extremely well. Does well in containers too.
Layered Privacy
The most effective privacy comes from combining plants at different heights. Plant trees at the back for upper-level screening. Add large shrubs in the middle for mid-level coverage. Use ornamental grasses or perennials in front.
Design Tips
Calculate mature size before planting — avoid future problems. Stagger plants for more natural appearance. Include plants with different textures. Consider seasonal interest (what blooms when, fall color, winter structure).