Most Popular Medium Size Trees and Shrubs for Privacy

Creating a living fence with shrubs can not only block lines of sight but also absorb noise and serve as a wind break.  They can even raise your property value.

The problem is that not everyone has the room to use something that gets as tall & wide as many popular privacy trees.  Some people want a natural privacy fence that stays somewhere in 6 to 15 foot range and overall takes less space.

Here are our top 5 medium size trees and shrubs for privacy:

1) Dwarf Burford Holly

Dwarf Burford Holly shrubs grow up to about 6 feet tall and up to 8 feet wide. It is also one of the few hollies that keeps its foliage all the way to bottom of the plant. It has become one of the 'go to' shrubs for privacy used by professional landscapers.

Dwarf Burford Holly is pretty easy to grow. It can handle partial sun, like underneath a tree and is drought tolerant once established. It can also grow in almost any soil condition where other hollies will turn brown or die. They can handle heavy pruning

Recommended for grow zones 6 through 9. Growth rate is considered slow, about 6 inches of new growth per year. 

2) Emerald Green Arborvitae

Emerald Green Arborvitae (thuja) only get 3 to 4 foot wide, making them great for smaller spaces. Average height is around 10 feet. They have soft foliage that stays dense all year.

Emerald Green are considered a moderate grower, roughly 1 to 2 feet per year. They are recommended for grow zones 4 through 8. They can handle heat, humidity and cold temperatures as low as -40 degrees.

3) Wax Myrtle

Fast growing hedge is considered one of the most popular shrubs for privacy.  Wax Myrtles, also known as ligustrums, can grow as much as 5 feet a year. Wax Myrtle are a multi-trunked, fast growing, broadleaf evergreen shrub.

Recommended for grow zones 7 through 11, Wax Myrtles can tolerate and thrive in a wide variety of soil conditions including clay and sand. They are considered deer resistant as well as drought and heat tolerant.

4) Skip Laurel

Skip Laurel is a tough, fast growing evergreen shrub that can handle shade and dry soil conditions. It has dense foliage and can handle pruning to keep in a height from 6 to 12 feet. Left naturally, they can grow up to 18 feet tall. 

Skip Laurel don't take up a lot of space, keeping at a width in the range of 5 to 7 feet. Recommended for grow zones 6 through 9

5) Golden Euonymus 

If you want something truly unique, consider the Golden Euonymus.  This fast growing evergreen has variegated foliage that provides vibrant color all year long.  Best of all, it doesn't take up much space. They can grow up to 8 feet tall but keep about 4 feet wide.

Golden Euonymus can handle the heat of hot summer afternoon sun but do just as well in partly shady areas.

To create a thick, lushes hedge, plant them 4 feet apart as measured from the center of each planting hole.

You don’t need monster trees or ugly fencing to enjoy privacy. Create an attractive living privacy ‘fence’ using medium size evergreen trees and shrubs.