The Best 10 Plants to Grow for Backyard Privacy

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world, so it can create a lush and exotic privacy screen very quickly. Some varieties of bamboo are invasive, so choose a slow-spreading, clumping variety, or consider planting it in large raised planters to keep it under control. Available on Amazon; $18.56.

Related: Don't Make These 8 Mistakes in Your Front Yard

Fast-growing privet can get you privacy in a hurry; if given proper care, it can add between two and three feet to its height each year. When grown as a hedge, privet needs to be pruned regularly, but that hard work pays off when the plant produces a thick cover of sweet-smelling flowers every spring. Available at The Home Depot; $64.99.

Related: Wage War on Weeds With 7 Unbeatable Tools

There are many varieties of holly that provide excellent privacy in the yard. Available as tall trees or dense shrubs, and in colors that run the gamut from green to variegated, holly offers something to satisfy any landscaping taste. Homeowners with small children (or sensitive hands) may want to consider a soft-leafed variety that's free of the plant's signature sharp, spiny leaves. Available at The Home Depot; $30.99

Related: 10 Plants to Grow for a Pest-Proof Yard

Hicks yew, while not flashy, is a sensible choice for a living fence or privacy screen. This low-maintenance option sets a wonderful evergreen backdrop for the rest of your yard, and its soft needles and winter berries make it a fast favorite with backyard wildlife. Available at Amazon; $58.

Related: The Invincible Yard: 12 Ideas for Lazy Landscaping

Red twig dogwood is deciduous, but when it loses its leaves in fall it displays a cheerful and seasonal thicket of bright red branches. It can tolerate temperature extremes and even soggy soils, and provides habitat for wildlife in all seasons. This fast-growing shrub can reach 8 feet in height and 10 feet in width, guaranteeing an impressive display in your yard. Available at Amazon; $45.99.

Related: 8 Top Tools for Taming Your Landscape

Euonymus comes in a many sizes and colors, including green, gold, and variegated varieties. This tall and sturdy shrub tolerates all types of weather and even poor soils. Planted close together, euonymus can serve as a lush hedge, but it makes just as big an impact when pruned into a tree shape. Available at The Home Depot; $64.99.

Discover and admire beautiful and innovative home architecture, from grand Victorians to quaint cabins and all the styles in between. Take a look at the latest images and inspiration!