Top Flowering Plants for Seclusion - Create a Stunningly Private Backyard Sanctuary with These Picks
In the quest for a lush, private outdoor space, fast-growing, flowering shrubs can be an ideal solution. These plants, suitable for privacy screens, vary by USDA hardiness zone, offering a range of options for different climates.
Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is a popular choice, known for its fragrant spring blooms. This shrub grows 12-16 feet tall and 8-12 feet wide, thriving in full sun and suitable for USDA zones 3-7. Lilacs bloom on old wood and can be pruned into hedges for privacy.
Holly (Ilex spp.), especially Nellie Stevens Holly, is another excellent option. This evergreen shrub offers year-round screening with glossy dark green leaves and red winter berries. Its growth depends on the species, ranging from 15-30 feet tall. Nellie Stevens Holly is moderately fast-growing (1-2 feet/year), and hardy across various zones depending on species.
Leyland Cypress (Cupressus × leylandii) is one of the fastest-growing privacy trees/shrubs, with growth up to 4 feet per year, reaching 60-70 feet tall. It is suitable for tall dense screens but requires space and regular maintenance.
Arborvitae (Thuja spp.), including Green Giant and Private Jet™ varieties, are fast-growing, columnar evergreens forming dense privacy screens up to 15-20 feet tall. They are suitable for zones generally around 4-8, depending on cultivar.
Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) is a native shrub offering white fragrant flowers in spring and reaching 8-10 feet tall and wide. It is low maintenance, supports biodiversity, and grows well in zones 2-8 with full to part sun exposure.
Virginia Rose (Rosa virginiana) is a thorny, spreading shrub growing 4-6 feet tall, with pink fragrant flowers from June to August and attractive rose hips in winter. It is hardy in USDA zones 3-8 and offers both privacy and wildlife benefits.
English Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is a versatile shrub with broad glossy leaves and fragrant white spring flowers. It grows well in zones 5-9 and makes a dense privacy screen.
Lastly, the Hardy hibiscus produces large, colorful flowers over a long period in mid-summer and into fall. This North American native shrub tolerates cold winters (zones 5 through 9) and prefers full sun. It also tolerates wet soil and is ideal for screening a low area that sometimes retains water. When trained to a trellis or other structure, hardy hibiscus makes a very showy screen. Regular pruning is necessary to maintain its size and control its direction of growth.
On the other hand, Bougainvillea is a warm-climate vine that blooms throughout the year with bracts that resemble flowers. It is hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11 and tolerates dry conditions. If no climbing frame is provided, bougainvillea grows low to the ground like a shrubby ground cover. When trained to a trellis or other structure, it makes a very showy screen. Regular pruning is necessary to maintain its size and control its direction of growth.
These shrubs provide a mix of evergreen and deciduous options, with fragrant flowers and rapid growth suited to various USDA hardiness zones, enabling tailored selection for privacy screens in different climates.
- By considering a home-and-garden approach, combining evergreen and deciduous shrubs such as lilacs, holly, Arrowwood Viburnum, Virginia Rose, or even English Laurel, can cater to diverse lifestyles and lush, private outdoor spaces in varying USDA hardiness zones.
- In the realm of home-and-garden design, gardening enthusiasts can choose from a range of fast-growing, flowering shrubs, including holly, Leyland Cypress, Hardy hibiscus, and bougainvillea, which allow for privacy screens that thrive in different climates and make beautiful home-and-garden additions.
