Choosing the Best Virginia Evergreens to Create Year-Round Privacy

Are you looking for more privacy in your yard? It can take away from your enjoyment and relaxation if you feel your yard does not offer the privacy you desire. You don’t want to feel on display (or see everything going on in the neighbors’ yards) every time that you are outside.

Homeowners commonly turn to evergreen trees for privacy because their dense foliage stays green year-round.

But how do you choose the right ones? There is some crucial thought process that should go into selecting the right evergreen trees for privacy.

Jump to Section

• Which Evergreen Trees Are Native to Virginia?
• What Are the Best Evergreen Trees for Privacy?
• What’s the Best Plant to Block a Neighbor’s Views?
• What’s the Fastest-Growing Evergreen for Privacy?
• Choosing Planting & Landscape Design in Northern VA

Amanda McNiff, Landscape Designer for Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape, says this is a very hot topic, and homeowners often end up with mixed results when they try to “Google” broadly for the answer.

We asked Amanda to share some helpful advice that would set you up for success as you plan for a more private landscape.

Which Evergreen Trees Are Native to Virginia?

Some of the Virginia-native evergreen trees that are also good for privacy include Eastern Red Cedar and American Arborvitae. But Amanda says it’s okay to choose privacy screens that aren't Virginia natives.

Many naturalized, non-native plants have adapted to our region and will perform just as well. It’s generally better to choose a plant that will perform best for your needs and on your specific property than to get too hung up on only choosing Virginia-native evergreen trees.

Eastern Red Cedar can be effective for privacy because it is a dense evergreen with a pyramidal shape.

Similarly, the American Arborvitae also takes on a natural pyramid shape and has dense, year-round green foliage. It grows relatively fast and can form a hedge if desired. Some varieties grow in a narrower, columnar form.

But don’t limit yourself. And keep in mind these plants won’t work for every space.

“Just because a plant is not native to Virginia does not mean it won’t be great for your residential yard,” says Amanda. “You have to think about the space you have available, too.

While the Eastern Red Cedar is an excellent Virginia native conifer, it can grow really tall, and there are going to be a lot of yards where the height won’t work.”

What Are the Best Evergreen Trees for Privacy?

The best evergreens for privacy are those that grow thick, dense foliage, says Amanda. As with any plant selection, there are often pros and cons to the choice.

“There are several Holly, Cedar, and Pine trees that can work well, but often people do not like that Hollies are prickly and that Cedars and Pine can grow to be over 30-feet tall,” she explains.

Amanda says that Green Giant Arborvitae can be a good choice for privacy because it grows quickly and has dense foliage.

“The American Holly is another great choice, though some people do have an issue with the spiny foliage,” Amanda continues.

The prickly foliage on American Holly does make a deer deterrent and a natural barrier.

Ultimately, you’ll need to find the right plant for YOUR property as there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

One thing that Amanda says she tries to avoid is going all in on a singular plant.

“While I love a good hedge as much as anyone, it’s not always the best idea to have a monoculture (all of the same plant) growing on your property,” she explains.

“It’s nice to have two or three different species for a couple of reasons. For one, it can give you some aesthetic variety. But it can also prevent a disease from taking out your entire landscape. If a plant disease moves through your property and it affects a certain type of plant, you don’t want to lose everything.”

Different plants can also play various roles in privacy screening.

What’s the Best Plant to Block a Neighbor’s Views?

As we mentioned, the best evergreens for privacy are those with thick, dense foliage. But it doesn’t always have to be an evergreen. Even some ornamental grasses can serve as privacy screening, says Amanda.

A lot of this comes down to design and planning. It’s crucial to strategically place plants so they block the sight lines you are looking to block.

Sometimes this needs to be a tall plant. But depending on what view you’re attempting to block, something lower, like an ornamental grass, could be practical. Crape Myrtle is another plant we have used for privacy screening that is not an evergreen.

“I also like something bigger, like Cryptomeria, but because of its size, this is usually used as a specimen tree,” Amanda shares. “They have a different needle structure and are very aesthetically appealing. In fact, this is one of my favorite types of trees. But you definitely need space. This tree can reach 30 to 50 feet, depending on the exact species.”

Amanda adds that it’s always essential to think about spacing when installing any plant.

“There’s often a desire for instant gratification that makes people plant a lot of trees or shrubs really close together,” she says. “While this might feel like it gives you instant privacy, in a few years, you’re going to have to take some of them out. If you’re being cost conscious, it makes sense to think ahead and install them with proper spacing from the start. Otherwise, they’re going to grow too wide and you’ll have competing root structures and also competition for sunlight.”

Amanda says another consideration is to buy plants that are already a little more mature, so they fill your space better from the start. You can buy bigger plants and space them a little further apart for long-term planning.

What’s the Fastest-Growing Evergreen for Privacy?

The Green Giant Arborvitae is widely considered the fastest-growing evergreen tree for privacy. It is a very popular privacy screening plant for this reason. But it’s also going to be too big for some properties.

Amanda says there is a Junior Giant Arborvitae that is more compact and may work better for smaller spaces. It still features the dense and rich green foliage that makes the Green Giant so popular.

While this article is obviously about evergreen trees for privacy, keep in mind that structures do offer “instant” privacy. Structures like fences, pergolas, and pavilions can also block views and provide privacy instantly.

In addition, a colonnade can completely block a view from one side of your property. Some might think of it as a sort of stand-alone wall for the backyard.

Unlike a pergola, which has long slats to create a roof, a colonnade has tall vertical posts with a screen-like structure in between.

These are particularly popular in our region, where townhomes often feel right on top of one another. However, this is also an excellent option for typical residential properties. A carefully positioned colonnade can provide quicker screening for more secluded sitting areas.

You could have climbing vines growing on your colonnade to create even greater privacy. We’ve also worked on landscape designs that incorporate strategic plant material in front of a colonnade, or even in conjunction with a fence. There are many ways to achieve the results you desire.

Choosing Planting & Landscape Design in Northern VA

Figuring out what evergreens (or other plants) are going to work best for your Northern Virginia property can be complicated. There are many factors to consider, including expertise in planting, to achieve success.

“You also have to take any information that you gather online with a grain of salt,” says Amanda. “A Google search isn’t going to know all the specifics of your yard.”

Some plants can be excellent for privacy screening but take too many years to grow, she adds. And some plants are going to grow too tall for your space. There are many nuances to keep in mind.

At the end of the day, your best bet is to turn to a professional who will know exactly what will work for your property.

Proper design and installation will be critical, as most of these backyard privacy ideas come down to clever landscape design. That’s why it’s essential to choose a landscaping company in Alexandria, Arlington, or Springfield, VA that puts strategic thought and planning into their designs.

After all, a tree that grows dense and tall, which could be excellent for screening, won’t serve the proper purpose if not strategically placed to block the right line of sight.

By choosing the right company, you can implement the best privacy backyard landscaping ideas for your property. Every property is different and will require a unique solution. You must choose a company that will make this its focus.

By doing so, you can have the peace of mind that you’ll finally have the privacy you desire.

If you’d like guidance on creating privacy in your yard, request a consultation, get your customized plan, and relax while we transform your space into something you can fully (and privately) enjoy.

Image Sources | White Pine, Arborvitae