#ProPlantTips, Best Plant Picks, Evergreen Care, Privacy Shrubs, Privacy Trees, Spring Planting

Best Privacy Trees and Shrubs to Plant This Spring

Justin Farrell | March 27, 2026

Spring is the single best time to put privacy plants in the ground. The soil is warming up, rain is plentiful, and your new trees and shrubs have an entire growing season ahead of them to push roots deep before winter arrives. If you have been putting off that screening project, this is your window.

A tall, thick evergreen hedge providing privacy for a light green two-story house, featuring a decorative white wrought iron garden gate and potted flowers.

At Nature Hills, we ship container-grown plants with established root systems ready to take off in your landscape. That means you can plant as soon as the ground is workable in your zone and expect strong first-year growth.

What Makes a Great Privacy Plant?

A neat, uniform row of tall Emerald Green Arborvitae trees forming a natural privacy screen along a sidewalk under a blue sky.

Not every tall plant makes a good screen. The best privacy plants share three traits:

Evergreen foliage that stays dense year-round, not just in summer
A naturally tight growth habit that fills in without constant shearing
A reasonable growth rate so you see results within a few seasons

The picks below check all three boxes. Each one has been proven in home landscapes across multiple USDA zones.

Top 8 Privacy Trees and Shrubs for Spring Planting

1. Green Giant Arborvitae

Zones 5-8 | Mature Size: 40-60 ft. tall, 12-18 ft. wide | Growth Rate: 3-5 ft./year

The undisputed king of fast privacy. Green Giant Arborvitae is a hybrid powerhouse that grows 3 to 5 feet per year once established. Its dense, fern-like foliage stays rich emerald green through winter, and it laughs at humidity, drought, and deer. For large lots that need a towering living wall, there is no better choice. Space them 5-6 feet apart for a solid screen, or 8-12 feet for a windbreak.

2. Emerald Green Arborvitae

Zones 3-8 | Mature Size: 12-15 ft. tall, 3-4 ft. wide | Growth Rate: 1-2 ft./year

The compact alternative for tighter spaces. Emerald Green Arborvitae delivers that signature narrow, columnar form that fits along property lines, side yards, and driveways without eating up your lawn. Its vibrant green foliage holds color better than most arborvitae through cold winters. Space them 3-4 feet apart for a seamless hedge.

3. Nellie Stevens Holly

Zones 6-9 | Mature Size: 15-25 ft. tall, 8-12 ft. wide | Growth Rate: 2-3 ft./year

For warmer climates, Nellie Stevens Holly is the go-to broadleaf evergreen screen. Glossy dark green leaves stay dense from top to bottom, and the crimson berries in fall and winter are a bonus for both curb appeal and songbirds. It tolerates heat, humidity, coastal salt spray, and more shade than almost any other screening plant. Space 5 feet apart for a solid wall.

4. Skip Laurel

Zones 6-9 | Mature Size: 10-18 ft. tall, 5-7 ft. wide | Growth Rate: 2 ft./year

Skip Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis') is the shade-tolerant privacy solution many gardeners overlook. Its large, glossy leaves create a lush, tropical-looking hedge, and it handles partial shade far better than arborvitae. It also recovers well from hard pruning, so you can keep it at whatever height works for your yard. Browse our Laurel Bushes collection for available varieties.

5. Leyland Cypress

Zones 6-10 | Mature Size: 40-60 ft. tall, 15-25 ft. wide | Growth Rate: 3-4 ft./year

A classic choice for the South and coastal areas. Leyland Cypress delivers fast coverage with feathery, blue-green foliage and takes well to shearing into a formal hedge. It handles pollution, humidity, and salt spray. Plant 8-10 feet apart for a hedgerow. For areas prone to ice storms, Green Giant Arborvitae is the better pick.

6. Privet

Zones 5-9 (varies by species) | Mature Size: 8-15 ft. tall, 4-8 ft. wide | Growth Rate: 2-3 ft./year

Privet has been the backbone of formal hedges for centuries, and for good reason. It is fast, dense, and takes shearing like a champion. Semi-evergreen in most zones, fully evergreen in the South. For a quick, affordable privacy hedge, privet is hard to beat. Explore our Privet Bushes collection.

7. Holly Shrubs

Zones 5-9 | Mature Size: 6-15 ft. (varies) | Growth Rate: 1-2 ft./year

From compact Inkberry Holly to stately Oakland Holly, the Holly Shrubs collection offers broadleaf evergreen options for nearly every climate. Hollies are tough, adaptable, and most produce berries that attract wildlife. They make excellent mid-height screens and foundation plantings that double as privacy.

8. Cypress Trees

Zones 5-10 (varies) | Mature Size: 15-60 ft. (varies) | Growth Rate: 2-4 ft./year

Italian Cypress for a narrow, formal column. Bald Cypress for wet areas. Arizona Cypress for dry heat. The Cypress Trees collection covers a wide range of climates and styles for privacy screening.

Privacy Plant Spacing Guide

A lush residential front garden with curved landscape edging, featuring bright purple petunias, orange lilies, and a Japanese Maple tree against a white siding house.

Spacing depends on how quickly you want full coverage and how much you want to invest up front:

Plant	Tight Screen	Natural Look
Green Giant Arborvitae	5-6 ft. apart	8-12 ft. apart
Emerald Green Arborvitae	3-4 ft. apart	5-6 ft. apart
Nellie Stevens Holly	5 ft. apart	8-10 ft. apart
Skip Laurel	4-5 ft. apart	6-8 ft. apart
Leyland Cypress	8-10 ft. apart	12-15 ft. apart
Privet	3-4 ft. apart	5-6 ft. apart

Always measure on center, meaning trunk to trunk. A staggered double row gives you the thickest barrier fastest, but costs more. A single straight row will fill in completely within a few seasons for most of these plants.

#ProPlantTip: The Two Most Common Privacy Planting Mistakes

Planting too deep kills more newly planted trees than anything else. Set your container-grown tree so the top of the root ball sits level with, or slightly above, the surrounding soil. Then mulch 3-4 inches deep over the root zone, keeping mulch away from the trunk.

Spacing too close seems like it will give you privacy faster, but overcrowded trees compete for light and water, causing the lower branches to thin out. That defeats the whole purpose. Stick to the recommended spacing and let the plants do their thing.

Ready to Start Your Privacy Screen?

Browse our full Privacy Trees and Privacy Shrubs collections to find the right fit for your zone, lot size, and budget. Every plant ships container-grown with an established root system, ready to hit the ground growing this spring.

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Browse the features and specs side-by-side to find the best fit for your garden.

A table comparing the facets of 2 products
Facet	Green Giant Arborvitae View details	Emerald Green Arborvitae View details
Rating
Rating	(52)	(1)
Type
Type	Tree	Tree
By
By	Nature Hills Nursery	Nature Hills Nursery
Flower Color
Flower Color	Green	Green
Growing Zone Range
Growing Zone Range	5-8	4-8
Mature Height
Mature Height	40-50 ft	15 ft
Width
Width	8-12 ft	4 ft
Price
Price	Sale price From $13⁸⁶ Regular price $17³²	Sale price From $13⁸⁶ Regular price $17³²

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the fastest-growing privacy trees and shrubs to plant for quick screening this spring?

Green Giant Arborvitae tops the list, growing 3-5 feet per year in zones 5-8 and reaching 40-60 feet tall for large properties needing serious screening. For smaller spaces, Emerald Green Arborvitae provides steady 1-2 feet annual growth in zones 3-8 while staying compact at 12-15 feet tall. Plant container-grown specimens as soon as your soil is workable this spring to maximize their first-year establishment before winter.

How far apart should I plant Thuja Green Giant or Leyland Cypress for a dense privacy hedge?

For a dense privacy screen, plant Thuja Green Giant arborvitae 5-6 feet apart on center. This spacing allows the trees to grow together into a solid wall while giving each plant enough room to develop properly. Leyland Cypress should be spaced similarly at 6-8 feet apart for screening purposes. Plant in spring when soil is workable in zones 5-8 for best establishment before winter.

What's the best time of year to plant privacy trees and shrubs in spring for optimal root growth?

Spring is the optimal planting window when soil temperatures begin warming and before the stress of summer heat arrives. Plant as soon as the ground is workable in your USDA zone, typically when nighttime temperatures consistently stay above freezing. This timing gives your privacy plants an entire growing season to establish deep root systems before winter dormancy. For best results, aim to get container-grown trees and shrubs in the ground by late spring to maximize first-year growth potential.

Which privacy trees provide year-round coverage—evergreen or deciduous—and which should I choose?

Evergreen trees provide year-round coverage since they retain their foliage through winter, while deciduous trees lose their leaves and offer no privacy during cold months. For true privacy screening, choose evergreens like Green Giant Arborvitae (zones 5-8, grows 3-5 feet yearly) or Emerald Green Arborvitae (zones 3-8, grows 1-2 feet yearly) that maintain dense foliage in all seasons. Plant evergreen privacy trees this spring when soil is workable to give them a full growing season to establish before winter.

Are there deer-resistant privacy trees and shrubs suitable for my yard?

Yes, several excellent privacy plants naturally resist deer browsing. Green Giant Arborvitae (zones 5-8) is particularly deer-resistant while providing fast 3-5 foot annual growth and dense year-round screening up to 60 feet tall. Nellie Stevens Holly is another deer-proof option that thrives in zones 6-9 with glossy evergreen foliage and bright red berries. Plant these deer-resistant varieties 5-6 feet apart this spring for a privacy screen that deer will avoid.

What USDA hardiness zones are best for planting Thuja Green Giant and Leyland Cypress as privacy screens this spring?

Thuja Green Giant thrives in USDA zones 5-9 and tolerates a wider range of soil conditions, making it the more versatile choice for most regions. Leyland Cypress performs best in zones 6-10 but struggles in areas with harsh winters or extremely hot, humid summers. Both trees grow rapidly (2-3 feet per year) and reach 40-60 feet tall when mature. Plant either variety in early spring after the last frost date for your zone to ensure strong root establishment before summer heat.

How much maintenance do privacy trees require after planting, and what pruning techniques help them grow denser?

Privacy trees require minimal maintenance once established, typically needing only annual pruning and occasional watering during drought periods. For denser growth, prune evergreens like arborvitae and juniper in late spring after new growth appears, removing up to one-third of new shoots to encourage branching. Deciduous privacy trees such as hornbeam benefit from late winter pruning before bud break, focusing on thinning interior branches and shortening long shoots. Water newly planted trees weekly for the first growing season, then transition to deep monthly watering during dry spells to maintain healthy, dense foliage.

What watering schedule should new privacy trees follow after spring planting to ensure establishment?

Water newly planted privacy trees deeply 2-3 times per week for the first 6-8 weeks, providing 1-2 inches of water each session depending on your zone's spring temperatures and rainfall. In zones 3-6, focus watering during late morning to avoid frost damage, while zones 7-9 can water in early morning or evening. After the initial establishment period, reduce frequency to once weekly deep watering through the first growing season. Check soil moisture 2-3 inches down before watering to prevent overwatering in clay soils or underwatering in sandy conditions.

Can I create a mixed privacy screen using both fast-growing and slow-growing trees, and what's the best arrangement strategy?

Yes, mixing fast and slow-growing trees creates an excellent long-term privacy strategy. Plant fast-growing species like hybrid willows or Leyland cypress every 6-8 feet for immediate screening, then interplant slower, more permanent trees like arborvitae or spruce at 10-12 foot intervals behind or between them. The fast growers provide privacy within 2-3 years while the slower trees mature, then selectively remove the fast-growing specimens after 8-10 years once your permanent screen fills in. Plant this spring for best establishment in zones 4-8.

Can privacy trees like Leyland Cypress tolerate clay or sandy soils, and how do I amend them?

Leyland Cypress thrives in zones 6-10 and adapts well to both clay and sandy soils, though it prefers well-draining conditions. For heavy clay, work in 2-3 inches of coarse sand and compost to improve drainage, while sandy soils benefit from adding 2-3 inches of compost or aged manure to retain moisture and nutrients. Amend soil in early spring before planting, mixing amendments into the top 12-18 inches of soil. Plant in spring after last frost when soil is workable but not waterlogged.