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Trees and Shrubs for Privacy

Trees and Shrubs for Privacy

Create a cozy retreat in your garden

Shrubs are a great way to add a green fence to your yard to create privacy or hide unsightly views while surrounding yourself with nature. We've assembled some of our most popular choices for plants in several categories, including trees, tall shrubs, and vines. When it comes to making your garden a private retreat there are a few tips to keep in mind. Choose plants with dense, fast-growing, evergreen foliage, that will reach a minimum height of ten feet or more.

a bench in a garden

Tall Shrubs 5’ to 10’ + for Privacy

Soften existing fence-lines and extend them upwards with tall hedge plants, choosing varieties that are easily maintained to your desired height and depth. Plant hedges with appropriate spacing according to each species growth habit, many of our best choices will grow quickly within one to two years. One of our Associates can help you determine how many are needed to line your yard. Plant one variety for a classic and clean look, or plant groupings of different types for a more natural appearance and additional garden texture.

  • Bambusa multiplex 'Alphonse Karr' (Bamboo) *available early Spring through Fall learn more
  • Bambusa multiplex 'Golden Goddess' (Bamboo) *available early Spring through Fall learn more
  • Camellia species learn more
  • Eugenia myrtifolia 'Monterey Bay' (Brush Cherry) learn more
  • Hibiscus *available Spring through Fall learn more
  • Laurus nobilis (Sweet Bay Laurel) learn more
  • Ligustrum japonicum 'Texanum' (Wax Leaf Privet) learn more
  • Pittosporum 'Marjorie Channon' (Kohuhu) learn more
  • Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver sheen' (Kohuhu)
  • Podocarpus elongatus (Icee Blue® Yellowwood) learn more
  • Podocarpus gracillior (Fern Podocarpus) learn more
  • Prunus carolina compacta (Carolina Cherry Laurel) learn more
a tree in a forest

Bambusa multiplex 'Alphonse Karr' (Bamboo) *available early Spring through Fall

a tree in front of water

Bambusa multiplex 'Golden Goddess' (Bamboo) *available early Spring through Fall

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Camellia species

flowers on a tree

Eugenia myrtifolia 'Monterey Bay' (Brush Cherry)

a close up of a flower

Hibiscus *available Spring through Fall

a green plant in a garden

Laurus nobilis (Sweet Bay Laurel)

a green plant in a garden

Ligustrum japonicum ‘Texanum’ (Wax Leaf Privet)

a close up of a flower garden

Pittosporum 'Marjorie Channon' (Kohuhu)

a green plant in a forest

Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Silver sheen’ (Kohuhu)

a plant in a garden

Podocarpus elongatus (Icee Blue® Yellowwood)

a close up of a green plant

Podocarpus gracilior (Fern Podocarpus)

a tree in front of a house

Prunus caroliniana compacta (Carolina Cherry Laurel)

Vines for Privacy

These vigorous vines make a wonderful accent growing on existing fences, or climbing on large trellises or arbors, or even as ground-covers. Create pockets of privacy with seating or a bistro set nestled into an arbor with blooming vines. All vines grow beautifully on trellises, but these are some of our favorite evergreen options.

  • Campsis radicans (Trumpet Creeper) learn more
  • Distictus buccinatora 'Rivers' (Royal Trumpet Vine) learn more
  • Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig) learn more
  • Solanum jasminoides *available Spring through Fall
  • Tecoma *available Spring through Fall learn more
  • Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine) learn more
a close up of a flower garden

Campsis radicans (Trumpet Creeper)

a purple flower on a plant

Distictus buccinatora 'Rivers' (Royal Trumpet Vine)

a group of green plants

Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig)

a green plant in a garden

Solanum jasminoides *available Spring through Fall

a close up of a flower

Tecoma *available Spring through Fall

a close up of a flower garden

Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine)

Trees for Privacy

These evergreen trees provide both beauty and privacy, with dense canopies that keep their leaves year-round. Plant large trees at the corners of your property to establish a framework for other plants, or in strategic spots to help obscure sight-lines of neighbors. Some of our favorites include Magnolia, Arbutus marina, and Citrus trees which provide year-round interest with showy flowers or fruit.
  • Arbutus marina (Strawberry Tree) learn more

  • Cupaniopsis anacardioides (Carrotwood) learn more

  • Cinnamomum camphora (Camphor Tree) learn more

  • Citrus species (Lemon, Lime, Orange, Tangerine, and more) learn more

  • Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' learn more
  • Schinus molle (California Pepper Tree)
a group of oranges hanging from a tree

Arbutus marina (Strawberry Tree)
20-30 ft. + tall and wide in Full sun

a tree in front of a house

Cupaniopsis anacardioides (Carrotwood)

a tree in a forest

Cinnamomum camphora (Camphor Tree)

a group of oranges hanging from a branch

Citrus species (Lemon, Lime, Orange, Tangerine, and more)

a close up of a flower

Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem'

a tall tree

Schinus molle (California Pepper Tree)

We can plan & plant your dream garden

Armstrong Home Landscape Design

Let us create a beautiful unique landscape in your home, based on your needs and preferences. A local Armstrong landscape designer will walk your landscape with you discussing your lifestyle while assessing the existing garden conditions. Then, they'll create a custom hand-drawn landscape design diagram & plant list, which we can bring to life with Armstrong certified installers. Receive a $499 design rebate credited to your invoice when you purchase $3,000 of plants and materials from your design.

a plant in a garden

Lifetime Guarantee on All Trees and Shrubs

We are committed to your gardening success and strive to be your preferred nursery. In living our commitment to Gardening without Guesswork we guarantee all of outdoor trees and shrubs for life.