In an ideal world, our gardens would be private sanctuaries where we can potter, entertain, and relax away from prying eyes. Yet, for many gardeners, the reality is quite different – spending time outdoors can be like living in a goldfish bowl because there is nothing to screen their plot from passersby and neighboring windows.
This lack of garden privacy is especially noticeable in newer housing developments, where small backyards are often left wide open. And for those of us in dense cities, the challenge is even greater. Take my townhouse garden: it’s flanked on both sides by neighboring homes, and the apartments on the street behind me have a clear view straight in.
For anyone in a similar situation who doesn’t have hours to spend on upkeep, low-maintenance plants for privacy are a game-changer. With the right mix of hardy shrubs, trees, and climbers, you can enjoy lasting coverage that screens out neighbors and unsightly views while softening boundaries and adding year-round interest – all with minimal effort.
The best low-maintenance privacy plants
For those without the time or inclination to tend the garden year-round, low-maintenance privacy planting is the perfect solution. Hardy shrubs, fast-growing trees for privacy, climbers, and intruder-proof hedge plants can create effortless screening while adding structure and greenery with minimal care.
Beyond privacy, thoughtful planting helps shape distinct zones, lending depth and a sense of discovery as you move through the space. And because living screens evolve with the seasons, they provide texture, color, and character – turning a practical necessity into a beautiful design feature.
1. Thuja occidentalis (Eastern arborvitae)
(Image credit: Marina Denisenko / Getty Images)
The Eastern arborvitae is one of the most versatile evergreens for effortless privacy. Recommended by the Morton Arboretum as one of the few evergreens that thrive in both sun and light shade, its narrow, columnar habit makes it ideal for hedging. With just a light annual prune, these trees or shrubs form a dense, uniform screen – an easy way to create backyard seclusion without a fence.
‘Never underestimate the value of good hedging,’ says Rachel Bull, Head of Gardens at Homes & Gardens. ‘Hedges can be a great way to provide seclusion, not to mention reduce noise as they filter traffic sounds. And with some species, you also get cover and food for birds.’
Cultivars of Eastern arborvitae range from compact 18-inch forms to soaring 30-foot screens. For most yards, Thuja occidentalis ‘Emerald Green’ is a reliable choice, growing 10–15 feet tall with dense foliage that stays vibrant year-round in zones 3–8.
You can buy Thuja occidentalis ‘Emerald Green’ live plants at Amazon.
2. Boxwood (Buxus)
(Image credit: Steffen Hauser / botanikfoto / Alamy Stock Photo)
Landscaping with hedges, especially boxwood, is my favorite way to enhance privacy and home security. Boxwood is a resilient, well-behaved evergreen that makes an excellent low-maintenance privacy plant. Its dense, evergreen foliage provides year-round screening, and its slow to moderate growth means it rarely needs heavy pruning.
Depending on your clipping routine, it can be kept neat and formal or allowed a softer, more informal shape. Versatile in the garden, boxwood can be used as a low, medium, or tall hedge, as a screening or specimen shrub, or planted in a series of identical specimens to tie a larger space together.
Plant it as a low hedge to edge a path, in containers for a porch, or choose taller varieties to create a natural boundary – offering privacy and structure with minimal effort.
3. Lilac (Syringa)
(Image credit: Alamy/C J Wheeler)
Lilacs are an ideal choice for a low-maintenance privacy hedge. Hardy and easy to grow, they require minimal care once established. Plant them en masse for a naturally fragrant garden privacy plant screen, or combine them with other hedging plants for seasonal interest in spring and early summer. With blooms ranging from white to deep purple, lilacs suit both small and large gardens.
For best results, they require at least six hours of sunlight and well-drained, chalky, or neutral soil, and benefit from light pruning after flowering to maintain their shape and encourage blooms.
They work especially well in staggered rows, filling a wide space with vibrant color while providing privacy, noise reduction, and wind protection – all with minimal effort.
The Syringa x Bloomerang Dark Purple Shrub is a best-seller on Amazon.
4. Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
(Image credit: Getty Images/Marina Denisenko)
Holly is an outstanding winter privacy plant for gardeners seeking an easy, low-maintenance way to add screening and structure to their yard. With its dense, glossy evergreen leaves, holly provides year-round screening and natural protection from wind, while its spiky foliage creates a subtle security barrier. In winter, the bright red berries add color to the garden and provide food and shelter for birds, making it a wildlife-friendly option as well.
Evergreen holly is remarkably hardy and adaptable, thriving in a wide range of soils with minimal care. Once established, it only needs occasional trimming to maintain shape, meaning you can enjoy a lush, evergreen hedge or screen without the constant upkeep that other plants require. Its versatility allows it to work as a formal hedge, a screening tree, or even as a series of specimens to define larger spaces in the garden. The Fiskars Power-Lever Hedge Trimmers, available on Amazon, are my go-to option for pruning hedges and trees.
Fall is the perfect time to plant holly, giving it a chance to settle its roots before the heat of summer arrives. Whether you’re a busy gardener or new to planting, holly delivers both beauty and practical privacy with very little effort, making it a truly hassle-free addition to any garden.
5. Yew (Taxus)
(Image credit: Yola Watrucka / Getty Images)
Yew is a classic evergreen that has been used for centuries to create elegant, long-lasting hedges and privacy screens across the United States. What makes yew especially appealing for low-maintenance gardening is its remarkable adaptability – it thrives in sun or shade, tolerates a wide range of soils, and once established, needs very little watering or feeding. Unlike some fast-growing hedges that require constant clipping to stay in check, yew grows at a moderate pace, which means it holds its shape well with only occasional pruning.
Its dense, dark-green foliage forms a solid, year-round screen that softens boundaries and provides reliable seclusion in the garden. Yew is also highly versatile: it can be clipped into a formal hedge for a clean, architectural look or left more natural for a softer effect. And while it’s hardy and resilient, it still responds beautifully to shaping, giving you plenty of design flexibility with minimal effort.
The one important consideration is safety – all parts of the yew are toxic if ingested, so it’s not the best choice for gardens with pets or small children. But for gardeners seeking a long-lived, easy-care hedge that provides privacy with elegance, yew is one of the most dependable options.
What is the best plant to block neighbors?
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance plant to block out neighbors, bamboo is an excellent choice. Clump-forming varieties are far easier to manage than running types, which can become invasive if not properly controlled. They grow quickly, creating tall, elegant screens with little effort, and their narrow, upright leaves provide privacy without feeling heavy or overbearing.
Bamboo is also one of the best container plants for privacy, which both prevents spreading and makes it easy to set up a row of pots on a patio or deck for instant, stylish screening.
Shop garden tools
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned gardener, the right tools make all the difference in keeping your plants thriving. I’ve handpicked these favorite tools based on personal experience and top-rated reviews to help you care for your garden with ease.
Fiskars 28″ Loppers for Tree Trimming
A best-selling essential for effortless yard care, this bypass lopper features sharp, rust-resistant steel blades that slice through branches up to 1.5″ thick with ease. Designed with durable construction and non-slip grips for comfort and control, it’s built to last and backed by a full lifetime warranty.
Fiskars Traditional Bypass Pruner
A best-selling essential for effortless yard care, this bypass lopper features sharp, rust-resistant steel blades that slice through branches up to 1.5″ thick with ease. Designed with durable construction and non-slip grips for comfort and control, it’s built to last and backed by a full lifetime warranty.
Crafted from 100% split cowhide with a soft cotton lining, these durable gloves resist cuts, punctures, heat, and wear. Reinforced palms and adjustable wrists provide extra protection and comfort, making them ideal for gardening, construction, welding, landscaping, and handling thorny plants.