As homeowners we all want our own place that we can call our own, make our home and enjoy the benefits of privacy that comes with homeownership.  But, sometimes, we find that our homes and landscapes may offer less privacy than we would like.  Rather than deciding to move just to get some more privacy there are other options which can provide the privacy you want, right in your own backyard.  Privacy shrubs and trees will help create a wall of privacy but with a much prettier appearance than a brick wall would provide.  Additionally, privacy shrubs and trees simultaneously provide privacy with the added benefit of noise reduction, creating your very own oasis.  Some of the best options are varieties of Evergreen because they do not lose their leaves seasonally and provide a barrier of privacy all year long.  Below are 3 Evergreen varieties of trees and shrubs to plant when you want to create privacy in your landscape while still enhancing beauty.

1. Holly

• Holly evergreens are beautiful, fast growing trees with thick, lustrous leaves. This Old House describes the foliage of the holly and why it is such a popular option for privacy, ” The soft needles form a dense, dark green barrier, but can brown with exposure to This narrow tree keeps its leathery, toothed dark green leaves year-round. Female specimens have white flowers and form red berries that attract birds… Grows up to 30 feet high and 40 feet wide.”

2. Arborvitae

• Arborvitae have a variety of types such as Thuja Green Giant, Thuja Emerald Green, American Arborvitae, Nigra Arborvitae and more. This Old House describes the benefits of Arborvitae for a privacy fence, “Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) is a good choice because it doesn’t need pruning to keep its full shape from top to bottom, and adapts to a wide range of growing conditions from Zones 2 to 7—including your Zone 6—as long as it has full sun. To get a sense of privacy right away, select specimens that are at least 6 feet tall, with green foliage and moist root balls. They’ll reach 15 feet or more when mature. These trees need to be planted far enough apart so that they’ll be touching when full grown; they’ll be stunted if put too close together. The spacing depends on the variety you choose. (Find more plants that work as privacy hedges and learn about their proper spacing at Evergreen Privacy Screens.) In time, as your hedge fills in, you’ll have a solid wall of green to enjoy year-round.”

3. Leyland Cypress

• Leyland Cypress are a more slender option for privacy so you may opt to plant many side by side.  They are very fast growing and can reach great heights depending on how you trim them and the conditions in which they are grown. SFGate describes Leyland Cypress and how they are used for privacy, “Leyland cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii) is a fast-growing columnar coniferous evergreen tree that grows in USDA zones 5 through 9, reaching up to 50 feet tall and 25 feet wide. Leyland cypress needs full sun and well-draining soil and requires little pruning to retain shape, but may be pruned for size. Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) are fast-growing slender columnar trees that can reach 50 feet tall in USDA zones 8 through 10. They are drought tolerant and can be grown in partial shade as well as full sun. Cypress have flat, dense needles similar to those of arborvitae.”