Gardening Plants & Flowers Shrubs

10 Best Evergreens for Hedges and Privacy Screens

Trees and Shrubs as Screens

Best Evergreens for Hedges and Privacy Screens

The Spruce / Paige McLaughlin

Evergreen hedges make wonderful privacy screens. They come in all shapes and sizes, retain their foliage year-round to create consistent privacy, and they can hide unsightly structures and fencing. Tall hedges serve as windbreaks and provide shade for garden plants. Some evergreens with sharp pointed leaves or thorns can act as a barrier to discourage animals and pets.

Variegated foliage features a wide range of colors and patterns which, along with leaf size and type, create a look to fit your landscape plan, even if you need privacy most in shady areas. Most evergreens produce insignificant flowers if any at all. Consider the following 10 shrubs to create evergreen hedges that meet your needs.

Warning

Note that some shrubs listed here are toxic to humans, animals, or both, as indicated. 

Best Evergreen Hedges for Privacy

  • 01 of 10

    Boxwood

    Boxwood evergreen tree with small compact leaves as hedge

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

    Long a European favorite, boxwood responds very well to pruning and shaping. Besides making great hedges, boxwoods are a favorite tree for a topiary. The tiny, evergreen leaves remain tidy when clipped. Korean boxwood is proving to be hardier than the English varieties. Prune in late spring, as new growth darkens. Size varies with species and it prefers full sun to partial shade. Boxwood is toxic to animals.

    • Name: Boxwood (Buxus)
    • USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Green, gold, or bronze foliage depending on type
    • Sun Exposure: Partial or dappled shade
    • Soil Needs: Well-drained soil in the 6.8 to 7.5 pH range
  • 02 of 10

    Yew

    Yew evergreen tree with small needle-like leaves on dense branches

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

    Yew makes a dense hedge that responds well to pruning. Overgrown yew hedges can often be restored by hard pruning in late winter. Many yews used for foundation plantings remain squat. T. baccata grows to 6 feet tall and 16 feet wide, making it great for hedging. The uniformity of a yew hedge makes a great wall for enclosed gardens. It is a slow-to-medium grower. Yew is toxic to humans and animals.

    • Name: Yew (Taxus baccata)
    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 10, depending on the variety
    • Color Varieties: Non-flowering, dark green needles, and red berries
    • Sun Exposure: Sun, partial shade, or full shade depending on the variety
    • Soil Needs: Well-draining soil with a neutral pH
  • 03 of 10

    Arborvitae Green Giant

    Thuja Trees

    Valery Kudryavtsev/Getty Images

    Arborvitae green giant (Thuja standishii x plicata ‘Green Giant’) was introduced by the U.S. National Arboretum. You can grow it in almost any soil condition from sand to clay. It forms a pyramid shape and requires no pruning. It is pest-resistant and even deer-resistant. For a quick hedge or windbreak, plant these plants 5 to 6 feet apart. For a more gradual hedge, plant 10 to 12 feet apart. These fast-growers can reach 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide.

    • Name: Arborvitae green giant (Thuja standishii × plicata)
    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 7
    • Color Varieties: Green to gold foliage depending on type
    • Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
    • Soil Needs: Tolerates a range of soils but prefers moist well-drained loams
  • 04 of 10

    Holly

    Holly shrub branches with glossy green leaves and small bright red berries hanging

    The Spruce / Autumn Wood

    Popular for its glossy green leaves, and bright red berries, hollies look best if kept trimmed and full. Only the females set berries, but you will need a male to cross-pollinate. Some new varieties do not require two sexes. Hollies prefer acidic soil and the addition of peat or garden sulfur may be necessary. The American holly is more widely adaptable than English holly. It is a medium grower, reaching a height of 6 to 10 feet and a spread of 5 to 8 feet. Plant hollies 2 to 4 feet apart and take care of heavy pruning for shaping in late winter or early spring. Hollies can be lightly pruned any time of year. All holly berries are toxic to humans and animals.

    • Name: Holly (Ilex)
    • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Greenish-white flowers and red berries
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
    • Soil Needs: Well-drained, slightly acidic, fertile soil
    Continue to 5 of 10 below
  • 05 of 10

    Firethorn

    Firethorn evergreen branches with bright orange berries clustered together

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Firethorn can be a bit unruly, but it still looks striking in the landscape. It is an evergreen with white flowers in spring and orange-red berries from summer into winter and is popular for Christmas decorations. This drought-tolerant plant likes full sun to partial shade. Plant firethorns 3 to 4 feet apart. It is a fast grower and can reach a height of 8 to 12 feet and a spread of 3 to 5 feet. Prune if necessary, after flowering.

    • Name: Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea)
    • USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Small white flowers resulting in orange fruits
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
    • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained soil
  • 06 of 10

    Leyland Cypress

    Leyland cypress evergreen trees with long flat branches in sunlight

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    The Leyland cypress is a column-like evergreen with flat scale-like leaves. It makes a tough privacy screen or windscreen that is salt tolerant and grows best in full sun. Many new cultivars are being bred for bluer color, variegation, and more feathery foliage. It is a fast grower and you can prune to shape it as new foliage deepens in color. It can reach a height of 60 to 70 feet and a spread of 15 to 20 feet. This evergreen is slightly toxic to people and animals.

    • Name: Leyland Cypress (x Cupressocyparis Leylandii)
    • USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 10
    • Color Varieties: Green to yellow-gold foliage
    • Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
    • Soil Needs: Acidic or neutral clay, loam, and sand
  • 07 of 10

    Variegated Japanese Laurel

    Variegated Japanese laurel evergreen branches with white spotted leaves in sunlight

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Also known as the gold dust tree, the variegated Japanese laurel (Aucuba japonica) has leathery pale green leaves mottled with yellow variegation. This tree is a standout, especially when used to light up a shady area, which it prefers. Variegata is a female and requires a male for pollination, to produce red berries. Good choices include 'Mr. Goldstrike' and 'Maculata'. This laurel likes moist soil but can handle periodic dry spells. It is a slow grower that can be pruned in early spring to summer. It will reach a height of 6 to 9 feet and a spread of 3 to 5 feet.

    • Name: Variegated Japanese Laurel (Aucuba japonica 'Variegata')
    • USDA Growing Zones: 7 to 10
    • Color Varieties: Variegated foliage, gold spots, red berries
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
    • Soil Needs: Almost all well-drained soils
  • 08 of 10

    Cotoneaster

    Cotoneaster evergreen shrub with wide-spreading branches and small red berries

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

    The more upright cotoneasters can be used to form a solid hedge. Several cotoneaster species are evergreen or semi-evergreen. There are several varieties; C. lucidus grows up to 10 feet tall, C. glaucophyllus grows 3 to 4 feet tall with a 6-foot spread, and C. franchetii grows 6 feet tall with a 6-foot spread. This shrub requires little pruning but any shaping should be done in early spring for evergreens and just before the start of new growth for semi-evergreens. Berries are toxic to humans and animals (but not to birds).

    • Name: Cotoneaster (C. lucidus, C. glaucophyllus, C. franchetii)
    • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9 depending on the variety
    • Color Varieties: Red berries and bright foliage in fall
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
    • Soil Needs: Moist but well-drained, loamy soil
    Continue to 9 of 10 below
  • 09 of 10

    Heavenly Bamboo

    Heavenly bamboo trees with bright green leaves and pink hydrangea-like panicles

    The Spruce / Gyscha Rendy

    Nandina domestica is popular in the southern United States, where its fall/winter berries are the most striking. However, Nandina is tougher than its delicate foliage would suggest. White spring flowers come in hydrangea-like panicles and are followed by bunches of red berries. The foliage blushes red for fall and winter. It is a medium-to-fast grower and can be pruned before new growth. Expect a height of 5 to 7 feet and a spread of 3 to 5 feet.

    • Name: Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica)
    • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 10
    • Color Varieties: White or pinkish blossoms, red berries, fall foliage
    • Sun Exposure: Partial sun
    • Soil Needs: Rich, acidic soil
  • 10 of 10

    Privet

    Privet

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    A classic hedge plant, not all privets are evergreen. The dense foliage responds extremely well to pruning and can be pruned after flowering. Most have white summer flowers followed by black berries. Privet is very adaptable and will grow in just about any conditions from full sun to shade. These fast growers reach a height of 15 feet and a spread of 5 to 6 feet. To keep privet tidy, it may require pruning monthly or every six weeks during the growing season. Privet is toxic to people and pets.

    • Name: Privet (Ligustrum)
    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
    • Color Varieties: White flowers, black berries
    • Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
    • Soil Needs: Tolerant of a variety of soil types

Tips for Growing Evergreen Hedges

  • Evergreens that grow rapidly may require trimming as often as once a month during the growing season to maintain an attractive even appearance. Trimming once annually in spring is sufficient to keep a slow-growing hedge in tip-top shape.
  • While a rapidly growing hedge can form a screen as quickly as two years, be prepared to trim frequently to achieve and maintain the shape and size desired.
  • Measure the desired height and width of the border you want to create and take your measurements to the garden center. When choosing plants, make a note of their mature size and width to help you decide how many plants you'll need. Plant tags often suggest adequate spacing.
  • When planting your living screen, do not plant in a straight line. Instead, zigzag the trees to give a fuller effect and to allow the trees to get air and sun. This also helps the hedge with the wind, preventing breakage and wind tunnels.

Trimming Evergreen Hedges

Trimming your evergreen hedge is not just important for achieving and maintaining a uniform, attractive appearance. Dense branching and foliage are features that make allowing for adequate air circulation key to the health of your border.

How to Trim

Think of each plant in the hedge as an individual shrub. Each should have its own growing space without excessive crossing of branches with its neighbor. Thin the interior or center of each shrub to eliminate large crossing branches.

To create a simple uniform shape with squared or rounded edges, trim the sides before reducing top growth. This also helps prevent a narrow base with a flared top, which can leave unsightly gaps between plants. Trim the sides of the hedge down to where woody growth begins. New stems are soft, green, and removed fairly easily. Collect and compost or dispose of all trimmings. Leaving them on the hedge can lead to insect and disease problems.

When to Trim

You can't go wrong with an early spring trimming. Whether the hedge is fast or slow growing, early pruning before bud break, and before active photosynthesis begins, will not damage new growth. This is when to do the heaviest pruning. For shrubs that grow rapidly, trimming throughout the growing season is done mostly for appearance.

It's fine to remove dead or diseased branching and foliage anytime. However, with few exceptions, avoid pruning in winter when plants are brittle. Winter pruning can damage healthy tissue, creating vulnerability to disease and insect infestation. Even when done judiciously it can cause stunting.

How to Choose an Evergreen Hedge

It's important to know the intended purpose of the hedge when choosing a landscaping shrub. If you're looking for a decorative border, slow-growing evergreens with soft or variegated leaves are a good option. But if you need a sound barrier between your backyard and a busy road, a fast-growing evergreen with dense leaves and branching serves this purpose quickly and more effectively. Here are a few other considerations:

  • What is the desired mature height and width of the evergreen you want to use? Some grow straight and tall while others have a shorter and wider spread.
  • How quickly do you want the hedge to grow so that it will be a useful barrier? Growth rates vary greatly. Fast-growing shrubs will, at least initially, require more frequent pruning and trimming.
  • Make sure the shrub is evergreen in your growing zone. Semi-evergreen usually means the plant will drop its leaves in winter and deciduous plants always drop their leaves in winter. Bare branches won't be as attractive during winter months and even those with dense branching won't provide the same degree of privacy.
  • Consider how you use your outdoor space, including sidewalks and driveways. For example, holly bushes with spikey leaves and shrubs that are very twiggy won't work as well in high-traffic areas as evergreens with soft needles.
  • Mark where water and underground utility lines are located. Avoid these areas for growing a hedge or choose varieties specifically for their shallow root systems so they won't disrupt any utilities.
FAQ
  • What is the fastest-growing evergreen hedge?

    Leylandii cypress is the fastest-growing evergreen hedge. It grows about 4 feet per year, forming an attractive box-shaped privacy hedge in about two years and when plants are set 2 feet apart.

  • How long does it take to grow a privacy hedge?

    Rapid growers like Leyland cypress and arborvitae form a solid privacy hedge within two to three years. Slow growers, like hollies, boxwood, and laurels, add less than 12 inches of growth a year, so reaching a height sufficient for privacy will take longer.

  • What evergreen hedge is the lowest maintenance?

    Holly and boxwood are two of the best low-maintenance evergreen shrubs you can choose for hedges in your landscape.

  • Are evergreen hedges resilient year-round?

    Evergreen hedges are resilient throughout the year in that they retain their color and leaves. Choose the right ones for your growing zone so they are cold-hardy and drought-tolerant where necessary.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Boxwood. ASPCA.

  2. Poisonous and Non-Poisonous Plants. National Capital Poison Center Poison Control.

  3. Yew. ASPCA.

  4. Poisonous and Non-Poisonous Plants. National Capital Poison Center.

  5. x Hesperotropsis leylandii. North Carolina State Extension.

  6. Red berries at this time of year. Veterinary Poisons Information Service.

  7. Poisonous Berries. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

  8. Ligustrum lucidum. NC State University Cooperative Extension.