Plants for Privacy
Browse the best plants to create a green screen for your outdoor living space.
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Emerald Green Arborvitae
Clematis
Vines make great screens. Clematis features large, spring-blooming flowers that come in a variety of colors. The plants are slow to mature, so for fast results purchase plants that are at least two years old.
Climbing Roses
Cherry Laurel
Ivy
Boxwood
Boxwood are easy to grow and maintain. They tolerate heavy pruning and can be clipped into various shapes.
Privet
Privet has dark green leaves which are semi-evergreen in Southern states or slightly deciduous in Northern states. May to early June brings fragrant white flowers that bees find very attractive. It grows extremely fast — careful pruning and training is critical in the first year to establish a dense, sturdy hedge.
Japanese Holly
Japanese holly is a dense evergreen that reaches 6 to 10 feet. It grows slowly, but can be invasive. Black, berry-like fruits provide winter interest.
Buckthorn
Fan Palm
Perfect for zones 8 through 11, European fan palms (Chamaerops humilis) grow to up to 15 feet. The fan-like leaves spread to about 3 feet wide, creating the perfect screen. You can prune the suckers or allow the plant to become shrubby.