Best Evergreen Shrubs for Year-Round Privacy Screens

Why Choose Evergreen Shrubs for Privacy?

When it comes to landscape design, establishing a sense of seclusion and security is often a top priority for homeowners. While wooden or vinyl fences provide immediate barriers, they lack the ecological benefits, aesthetic softness, and seasonal resilience of living walls. Selecting the right evergreen species for privacy screens transforms a simple boundary into a vibrant, year-round landscape feature that reduces noise, blocks harsh winds, and provides critical winter habitat for local wildlife.

Unlike deciduous plants that lose their leaves and expose your yard to neighbors during the winter months, evergreens maintain their foliage year-round. However, not all evergreens are created equal. The success of your privacy hedge depends entirely on proper variety and species selection based on your USDA hardiness zone, soil conditions, and available space. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, matching the plant's cultural requirements to your specific site conditions is the most critical step in ensuring long-term hedge health and density.

Top Evergreen Species for Privacy Hedges

1. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata 'Green Giant')

The Green Giant is widely considered the gold standard for fast-growing privacy screens in zones 5 through 8. A hybrid cross between Japanese and Western arborvitae, this vigorous evergreen can grow 3 to 5 feet per year once established. It reaches a mature height of 40 to 60 feet with a spread of 12 to 18 feet. Its dense, scale-like foliage is naturally resistant to deer browsing and withstands heavy snow loads without splitting. Expect to pay between $50 and $90 for a 5-gallon specimen.

2. Nellie Stevens Holly (Ilex x 'Nellie R. Stevens')

For homeowners in zones 6 through 9 who prefer a broadleaf evergreen with seasonal interest, the Nellie Stevens Holly is an exceptional choice. Growing at a moderate rate of 2 to 3 feet per year, it matures to 15 to 25 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide. In the fall and winter, female plants produce an abundance of vibrant red berries that contrast beautifully with the dark green, glossy leaves. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and heat. A 10-gallon plant typically costs between $80 and $130.

3. Skip Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis')

If your privacy screen needs to thrive in partial to full shade, the Skip Laurel is a hardy, broadleaf option for zones 6 through 8. It grows 1 to 2 feet annually, ultimately reaching 10 to 15 feet in height and width. The narrow, dark green leaves create a lush, dense backdrop. Skip Laurel is particularly valued for its cold hardiness compared to other cherry laurels. Nursery prices average $40 to $70 for a 5-gallon container.

4. Emerald Green Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd')

For narrow side yards or tight property lines where a massive tree would be overwhelming, the Emerald Green Arborvitae is the ideal compact solution. Thriving in zones 2 through 7, this slow-growing conifer adds only about 6 to 12 inches per year but maintains a tight, pyramidal shape without extensive pruning. It matures to just 12 to 15 feet tall and a slender 3 to 4 feet wide. Budget around $45 to $85 per plant.

Species Comparison Chart

To help you make an informed decision, consult the data table below. You can also utilize the Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder to cross-reference these varieties with your exact local microclimate.

Species	Mature Height	Mature Width	Growth Rate	USDA Zones	Deer Resistance
Green Giant Arborvitae	40 - 60 ft	12 - 18 ft	Fast (3-5 ft/yr)	5 - 8	High
Nellie Stevens Holly	15 - 25 ft	10 - 15 ft	Moderate (2-3 ft/yr)	6 - 9	Moderate
Skip Laurel	10 - 15 ft	10 - 15 ft	Moderate (1-2 ft/yr)	6 - 8	High
Emerald Green Arborvitae	12 - 15 ft	3 - 4 ft	Slow (0.5-1 ft/yr)	2 - 7	Low

Planting and Spacing Guidelines

Proper spacing is the most common pitfall in hedge installation. Planting shrubs too closely together leads to competition for water, nutrients, and sunlight, ultimately causing the interior foliage to die back and increasing susceptibility to fungal diseases. The Arbor Day Foundation emphasizes giving roots ample room to establish a robust foundation.

The Spacing Formula

For a dense privacy screen, space your plants at a distance equal to half of their mature width. For example, if a Green Giant Arborvitae has a mature width of 15 feet, plant them 7 to 8 feet apart, measured from the center of one trunk to the center of the next. If you are planting Emerald Green Arborvitae (mature width of 3 feet), space them 1.5 to 2 feet apart.

Step-by-Step Planting Instructions

• Call Before You Dig: Always dial 811 a few days before excavation to have underground utility lines marked.
• Dig the Hole: The hole should be two to three times wider than the root ball, but no deeper. The top of the root flare must sit slightly above the surrounding soil grade to prevent water pooling and root rot.
• Prepare the Roots: Gently tease out any circling roots at the bottom and sides of the root ball. If the plant is severely root-bound, make three or four vertical shallow slices down the sides of the root ball with a sterilized utility knife.
• Backfill: Use the native soil you dug out to backfill the hole. Avoid amending the backfill with heavy compost or potting soil, as this creates a 'bathtub effect' where water collects in the loose soil and drowns the roots.
• Mulch Properly: Apply a 2 to 3-inch layer of organic hardwood mulch over the root zone. Keep the mulch at least 3 inches away from the main trunk to prevent bark decay and rodent damage.

Cost Estimates and Budgeting

Installing a living privacy screen is an investment. For a 50-foot property line using Green Giant Arborvitae spaced 8 feet apart, you will need approximately 7 plants.

Sample Budget for 50-Foot Green Giant Screen:
- Plants (7 x $70): $490
- Premium Mulch (10 bags): $40
- Slow-Release Evergreen Fertilizer: $25
- Soil Amendment/Compost (for top-dressing): $30
- Total DIY Material Cost: $585

If you hire a professional landscaping crew, expect to pay an additional $50 to $100 per plant for delivery, labor, and site preparation, bringing the total installed cost to roughly $1,200 to $1,500 for the same 50-foot run.

Maintenance and Pruning Tips

The first year of growth is critical for establishment. Water your newly planted privacy screen deeply twice a week during the first growing season, providing roughly 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. Use a soaker hose laid along the base of the hedge to deliver moisture directly to the root zone without wetting the foliage, which can encourage blight.

Fertilize in early spring just before the flush of new growth begins. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer specifically formulated for evergreens (such as a 12-6-4 NPK ratio). Pruning requirements vary by species. Arborvitae generally only require the removal of dead or crossed branches and should never be cut back into old, bare wood, as they will not regenerate new needles. Broadleaf evergreens like Holly and Skip Laurel can be lightly sheared in late winter or early spring to encourage denser lateral branching and maintain a formal shape.