Shrubs for Privacy

If the phrase 'love thy neighbor' is not your cup of tea then perhaps, you would be better off having a privacy screen or a privacy hedge. Privacy hedge is nothing but a way to keep your house a bit aloof from the unpleasant noises and external sights or to keep away overly curious neighbors. This does not imply that those who want to hide something from their neighbors should put up a privacy fence. It is just that you like it that way, it gives you and your family a space.

Basically, privacy hedges or privacy screens or privacy fences can be either hardscape fences or softscape fences. Hardscape refers to concrete wall, wooden or vinyl fencing. Softscape fence on the other hand involves a 'living wall' privacy fence, that is privacy hedge developed from plants, especially shrubs. Privacy shrubs and bushes give a distinct look to the house, a beautiful green contour to the surroundings and fresh air, above all. Shrubs for privacy are very common and are the best option for a privacy fence.You can maintain the privacy of your house along with improving the surrounding environment. So, let us take a look at the best shrubs for privacy with regards to rate of growth, height and other characteristics. For more on privacy fences read ideas for privacy fences.

Fast Growing Shrubs for Privacy

Nikko blue Hydrangea: Most common of Hydrangea varieties, this has bold, blue flower heads that are round in shape. What makes nikko blue hydrangea a good privacy shrub is the fact that the plant has large leaves, often tapering to a point. This plant grows up to 12 feet wide and 12 feet tall. It is easy to prune as well.

Forsythia: These are deciduous flowering shrubs, with bright yellow petals. Primarily a native of Asia, there is one species which you can find originating in Southern Europe. If not pruned, Forsythia can grow upto 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide. It can be categorized as one of the tall shrubs for privacy.

Redtwig Dogwood: A native of western and North America, it is basically a tall shrub. A unique aspect of this is that its twigs are dark red and leaves are normal green. It is a fantastic choice on account of its color combination as well as its rate of growth. It grows up to 8 feet tall and spreads proportionally.

Dwarf Pink Almond: This is another delightful deciduous shrub which gets double pink blossoms. It grows considerably fast, at a height of around 5 feet and the width can go up to 4 feet. But pruning is essential after every bloom annually.

There are few others like Chinese Pivet, American Cranberry, Northern Bayberry, etc, which are perfect shrubs for privacy. For more on fast growing hedges, read fast growing privacy hedges.

These were the privacy shrubs which are fast growing, but the problem with most of them is that they lose their foliage in a particular season. So, here are some shrubs which are evergreen for your privacy screen.

Evergreen Privacy Shrubs

Irish Juniper: A darling of the gardening experts, this is a dense growth evergreen shrub with a columnar form. A lovely bluish color and a height which can go till 12 feet makes this a perfect privacy shrub.

Little Red Holly: A compact nature combined with a dense growth trait is what little red holly is all about. It is best in places or to be specific, yards where you do not need a very tall privacy fence. These do not have very fast growth rate but they are evergreen. They are suitable for sculpting as well, which implies, that you can create a beautifully carved hedge.

Red Tip Photinia: Another evergreen shrub which does not lose leaves in winter, rather gets new growth in the form of lovely red leaves. This gives a fantastic hue to the landscape. This shrub also has a dense growth pattern.

Emerald Arborvitae: This is a good choice when it comes to shrubs for privacy because of its dense growth trait and low maintenance. It can attain a height between 15 to 20 feet and width between 4 to 6 feet. It has a narrow and upright form.

Sweet Olive: With dense branches and broad leaf, the evergreen sweet olive is one of the unique privacy shrubs. An apricot fragrance is produced by its tiny white blooms.

A few other ever green privacy shrubs are deodar cedar, cherry laurel, leyland cypress, sweet viburnum and so on. These can also be termed as best hedges to plant for privacy. There are many more but if I describe all of them, you would probably give up the idea of a privacy shrub!

So, I will draw the article to a close here and hope that you build a fantastic privacy fence with the help of these amazing and colorful shrubs. Make sure you do not forget that good fences make good neighbors, as said by Robert Frost in one of his poems!