The best plants for privacy are both pretty and practical. Whether you want to create a secret hideaway at the bottom of your garden, screen the neighbour's view of your patio, or break your space up into enchanting outdoor "rooms", there are plenty of options to choose from.
. It's also better for wildlife – many shrubs and flowers will attract birds, beneficial pollinators, and other creatures.
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Below, you'll find eight expert-approved privacy plant choices, to help you find the perfect option for your space. There are plenty of tips on growing them, too.
8 of the best plants for privacy – easy options to grow in your garden
Dobbies’ horticultural director, Marcus Eyles, says, "There are a whole host of fantastic plants that can be used. Mature, larger plants will be more expensive but provide instant results, whereas younger plants can be nurtured and grown over time for a more cost-effective approach."
1. Star jasmine
, also known as star jasmine, is an excellent choice.
"This evergreen climber produces stunning, white flowers during summer," she says. In winter, its glossy green leaves turn red, she adds. "At maturity, it can grow up to eight metres in height by four metres in spread, making it ideal for creating a large, natural privacy screen."
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Gardening expert Sarah Raven also recommends this climber as one of the best plants for privacy. She advises giving it a gentle prune to make sure it stays neat. It's slow-growing, she adds, and works best when bought as big as possible.
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2. Bamboo
Thompson & Morgan’s horticultural expert, Annelise Brilli, says that while grasses are often recommended as a vertical screen, they are late to come into growth, and only achieve full height at the end of the summer when they flower. Bamboos are a better option, she says, as they provide a tall privacy screen throughout the year.
) or "Red Fountain". Both offer colourful stems, evergreen texture and movement, she highlights. "Plant them in a position with moist soil which does not dry out in summer and does not become waterlogged in winter."
Marcus recommends bamboo for more modern or zen gardens. As it's fast-growing, it can make an impact in a short time, he says, adding that it needs to be kept well-watered to establish.
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3. Beech
Morris Hankinson, the founder of Hopes Grove Nurseries, says, "Hedges are so much better than fences or walls – not only are they cheaper and longer lasting but they also filter strong winds, noise, and pollution."
options is a beech hedge, which Sarah calls a "perfect all-rounder".
"I’d suggest using five plants per metre length, setting them out in a zigzag to encourage a thick and bushy hedge that is also ideal for visiting birds and pollinators," she says.
Prune these plants in late summer to keep them looking their best.
available to buy.
4. Photinia
Morris says photinia shrubs are great for hedging – "their evergreen, oval-shaped foliage is brilliant red when young and older shrubs often produce corymbs of attractive white flowers in early summer."
, is perhaps the best-known variety. Charlotte says it thrives in well-draining soil and can tolerate full sun to partial shade, making it a versatile choice for various places in the garden. "Photinia is low-maintenance and hardy," she adds – "ideal for those who want privacy without having to spend a lot of time on upkeep. It requires minimal pruning which is primarily just for shaping or removing damaged branches.”
Morris adds, "There are some other really great kinds such as ‘Camilvy’, ‘Carre Rouge’ and ‘Dynamo Red’, too."
5. Cup and saucer vine
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Sarah says it's quick to grow and exotic-looking, with buds in green-white, deepening to purple as they age. "It offers great privacy, growing up to a second-storey window if given a climbing frame." She says she often plants them as seedlings.
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6. Pittosporum
. I love the structure it brings to a space with its small, elegant, and evergreen leaves, and it makes an excellent screen.
Annelise also recommends it as one of the best plants for privacy. "This resilient shrub has coped surprisingly well on my cold clay but also tolerates shallow chalk," she says. "There is a range of colours to choose from: rich green, silvery-grey, purple and variegated. They clip beautifully and can even be used as an alternative to box."
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7. Hawthorn
Marcus adds hawthorn – a native hedging plant – to his list of recommendations. He notes how it's popular with wildlife, and also makes an ideal windbreaker. What's more, it's capable of withstanding exposed locations such as coastal areas, he adds.
As it's deciduous, it loses its leaves over winter. However, Marcus points out how the thickly woven branches will continue to provide a good screen and shelter. They thrive in any soil with good drainage, in both full sun and partial shade, he says.
, should you wish to prune it, to protect your hands from the thorns.
available to buy.
8. Cherry laurel
Morris says cherry laurel is one of the best hedges for privacy on account of being both evergreen and quite fast-growing. "The large shiny leaves give great coverage and look immaculate all year round," he adds.
It thrives in most soil types and tolerates shade well, Charlotte says. Note that regular pruning is recommended to maintain its shape and prevent it from becoming too unruly, she adds.
"Laurel hedge plants come in a variety of sizes and root types," Morris continues. This makes them a good option regardless of your budget, he says – "another reason for them making it onto many people’s shortlist."
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. This is a cousin of the cherry laurel with smaller shiny leaves and reddish-coloured young stems, says Morris. "It’s a great choice for chalky soil – one of the few situations where cherry laurels don’t thrive."
FAQs
What are the best plants for near a fence?
plants to keep them looking their best.
for the best results.
If you're looking to add height, consider opting for pleached trees. Morris says, "For super effective high-level screening, choose an evergreen option, such as photinia, Portuguese laurel, evergreen oak, or holly."
Note that fences often shelter plants from rain somewhat, so be sure to water them in dry periods and add a layer of mulch to help the soil retain moisture.
It's also important to keep your neighbours in mind when adding plants to a boundary line. "The last thing you want when planting privacy hedging, or doing any sort of gardening, is to create conflict with neighbours," Morris says. Communication is key – before any planting takes place.
What is the best thing to plant for privacy?
The best plant to create privacy in your garden depends on lots of different factors. It's important to pick something suitable for the location you plan to plant in, so be sure to assess the soil type and how sunny or shady it is. Remember to research how big plants can grow, to ensure your selected choice doesn't outgrow its allotted space.
Consider planting a few different types, rather than sticking to just one variety. Morris points out how a mix of evergreen and deciduous kinds will not only look more natural but will let in more light to your outdoor space.
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