15 Privacy Shrubs That Will Look Beautiful in Your Yard

Patch of azalea plants in spring — Photo:
Catherine McQueen / Getty Images

If you want to create privacy in your yard, skip the fence and try growing shrubs instead. There are many tall varieties that can block out external noise and shield your home from view while adding color and beauty to your landscape. From pollinator-friendly blooming options to evergreens that provide year-long interest, these expert-recommended privacy shrubs will make your yard feel like an oasis.

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Oakleaf Hydrangea

Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is one of the most beautiful shrubs to grow in the landscape. "It provides year-round interest with dried flower heads and attractive peeling bark in winter," says Mary Phillips, head of native plant habitat strategy and certifications at the National Wildlife Federation. It produces large panicles of white flowers that mature to shades of pink from late spring to summer.

Zones: 5 to 9
Size: 3 to 12 feet tall x 2 to 8 feet wide
Care requirements: full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil

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Carolina Rose

Carolina rose (Rose carolina) is great for privacy, but it's also beautiful to look at. From late spring to summer, it produces showy, fragrant pink flowers with a yellow center. The red rosehips attract birds, and the thorny branches provide protection for shelter and nests, says Phillips. It can be planted in a row to create a living fence, creating a natural separation that still lets some light and air through.

Zones: 4 to 9
Size: 1 to 6 feet tall x 1 to 10 feet wide
Care requirements: full sun to partial shade; moist, well-draining soil

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Viburnum

Create a fast-growing privacy screen with viburnum. “Different varieties and species offer stunning visual appeal, whether through vibrant flowers, attractive fall foliage, or the shifting colors of new foliage growth," says Jim Putnam, plant expert for Southern Living Plant Collection. "Viburnum is a real showstopper, especially if you plant it in a sunny spot where the new leaves can put on their best color."

Zones: 7 to 10
Size: 8 to 10 feet tall x 5 to 6 feet wide
Care requirements: full sun; well-draining soil

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Plum Pine

Plum pine (Podocarpus) is an evergreen shrub with foliage that creates a year-round privacy screen. "Podocarpus is like having a living fence that puts on a colorful show throughout the year," says Putnam. "With its fast growth and easy maintenance, you'll be enjoying a lush, green barrier in no time. Plus, it tolerates some shade, making it a versatile option for many landscapes."

Zones: 7 to 10
Size: 10 to 15 feet tall x 3 to 4 feet wide
Care requirements: full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil

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Holly

Holly (Ilex) is a beloved shrub that has year-round interest. There are many varieties of holly that grow to be quite tall, forming a solid barrier in the yard. "Hollies are low-maintenance too, so once they’re established, they offer plenty of beauty with little hassle," says Putnam.

Zones: 6 to 9
Size: 15 to 20 feet tall x 12 to 15 feet wide
Care requirements: full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil

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Forsythia

Forsythia is one of the earliest bloomers in the garden, arriving in late winter to early spring. "Forsythia shrubs feature vibrant yellow bell-shaped flowers that appear before leaves emerge on the branches," says Kelly Funk, president for Jackson & Perkins. "The shrubs are fast-growing and have an upright arching habit."

Zones: 5 to 8
Size: 6 feet tall x 6 feet wide
Care requirements: full sun to partial shade; moist, well-draining soil

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Thuja

A fast-growing, woody evergreen, thuga has dense foliage characterized by its conical shape. "Thuja is good for privacy because it is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub that produces dense foliage that can provide privacy year-round," says Funk. "Prune in early spring to maintain desired height and shape."

Zones: 5 to 8
Size: 18 feet tall x 8 feet wide
Care requirements: full sun to partial shade; moist, well-draining soil

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Butterfly Bush

Butterfly bush (Buddleia) is a deciduous flowering shrub that produces colorful blooms and attractive foliage. "The plant features long, arching branches covered with clusters of small, fragrant flowers," says Funk. "The flowers come in various colors, including purple, pink, white, and yellow, attracting butterflies, bees, and other pollinators." It's a dense, fast grower that should be regularly pruned in late winter or spring to ensure it maintains its shape.

Zones: 5 to 9
Size: 5 feet tall x 6 feet wide
Care requirements: full sun; well-draining soil

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Weigela

Weigela has arched branches that are covered in red and pink blooms from late spring to early summer. The foliage is typically deep green, burgundy, or purple and can be variegated. "Due to its dense foliage and upright growth, weigela is ideal for privacy screening," says Funk. "Pruning after flowering maintains shape and encourages future blooms."

Zones: 4 to 8
Size: 5 feet tall x 5 feet wide
Care requirements: full sun to partial shade; moist, well-draining soil

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Barberry

If you're looking for a low-maintenance shrub option, consider barberry. It's commonly grown in landscapes for its durability and adaptability to poor soils. "Varieties with reddish or golden foliage add an intriguing element to the landscape," says Damon Abdi of the Hammond Research Station at Louisiana State University's agricultural center. While it's a great privacy shrub, keep in mind that it may be considered invasive in some zones, so do your research before planting.

Zones: 4 to 9
Size: 3 to 6 feet tall x 4 to 7 feet wide
Care requirements: full sun; well-draining soil

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Loropetalum

Chinese Fringe Flower — jiamiao lin / GETTY IMAGES

Loropetalum boasts red, burgundy, or green foliage and flowers in a range of colors, from pinks and reds to purples and whites, says Abdi. It's an insect- and disease-resistant plant that will beautifully accent the other plants in your yard.

Zones: 7 to 9
Size: 8 to 15 feet tall x 8 to 15 feet wide
Care requirements: full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil

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Pittosporum

Pittosporum has evergreen leaves in tight whorls that form at the top of the branches, creating a pleasant texture in the garden, says Abdi. It provides white flower clusters that stand out against the shrub's foliage.

Zones: 7 to 9
Size: 5 to 13 feet tall x 4 to 8 feet wide
Care requirements: full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil

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Sweet Olive

Glossy green leaves with small white flowers — saraTM / Getty Images

For a fragrant option, sweet olive (Osmanthus fragrans) has pleasant-smelling small flowers that bloom during fall, winter, and spring, adding subtle interest to the landscape. "The blooms are small and not super showy, but they definitely have an appealing scent," says Abdi.

Zones: 8 to 10
Size: 10 to 20 feet tall x 10 to 14 feet wide
Care requirements: full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil

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Azalea

Azaleas are known for their vibrant pink blooms, which add vibrant color to the garden. While not all azalea varieties are good for privacy, some can grow to be up to 10 feet tall and look beautiful as a living fence.

Zones: 6 to 9
Size: Depends on variety
Care requirements: full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil

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Camellia

Camellias have very showy, pink, yellow, red, or white flowers—with some varieties even blooming during winter. This pollinator-friendly shrub has thick foliage that can create a beautiful privacy hedge in the landscape.