27 Flowering Shrubs That Make Beautiful Privacy Hedges

Are you looking for a flowering plant that can act as a privacy hedge? There are a number of different plants you can choose from! In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen takes a deeper look at her favorite flowering shrubs that can make beautiful privacy hedges in your yard or garden space.

Written by Dr. Liessa Bowen Last updated: October 2, 2023 | 16 min read

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If you are looking for some beautiful blooming shrubs to create a privacy hedge, you have many versatile options. As you begin selecting the plants you want to use, you may feel overwhelmed by all the choices. By doing some advance planning, you can better understand which plants will suit your landscape.

Make note of the following to help you pick the perfect privacy shrub:

What is your USDA Hardiness Zone?
How much sun does your location receive?
Is the soil typically wet, moist, or dry?
Is the soil well-drained?
Is the soil acidic, sandy, rich with organic material, or heavy clay?
How tall would you like your plants to grow?
Do you want a variety of plants, just a few types, or a single species?

For a more uniform look, plant several of the same species in a row. They will all require the same growing conditions, bloom together, and should all grow at a similar rate. If you are feeling more adventurous, plant several species of shrub along a hedge.

Let’s have a deeper look at our favorite flowering shrubs that you can use to create a beautiful privacy hedge. Of course these shrubs aren’t limited to use in hedges. You can use them anywhere in your landscape that you want a smaller showy woody plant. Ready to learn more? Let’s dig in!

American Beautyberry

Callicarpa americana bush branch in a sunny garden. The shrub consists of long, erect, curved branches bearing light green oval leaves with serrated edges and clusters of glossy purple-pink round berries. — This shrub attracts many birds with its clusters of shiny purple-pink berries.

Scientific Name: Callicarpa americana

Plant Type: Deciduous Shrub
Geographic Origin: Southeastern United States
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Plant Height: 3-6 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 6-12

American Beautyberry is an attractive shrub that is native to the southeastern United States. It can grow to approximately 6 feet tall, or even slightly taller in ideal conditions. This plant likes rich, moist soil in an area with a bit of shade. It can be propagated from seeds and from cuttings.

The flowers of American Beautyberry are small and not terribly showy. After flowering, however, clusters of brilliant purple-pink berries grow along the stems for a dazzling fall display. The small, round berries attract a variety of fruit-eating birds.

Border Forsythia

An image of the flowering branches of Forsythia x intermedia 'Arnold Giant' shrub in a sunny garden. On the bare branches are many bright yellow four-petalled flowers. The background is blurry. — Border Forsythia is an excellent hedge plant with showy golden yellow flowers.

Scientific Name: Forsythia x intermedia ‘Arnold Giant’

Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Geographic Origin: Europe, Asia
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Plant Height: 8-20 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 5-8

There are several varieties of Forsythia available, and many make excellent hedge plants. The Border Forsythia is a taller variety, growing up to 20 feet tall, although it can be pruned to maintain a desired shape and size. Forsythia is a hardy plant that is tolerant of many growing conditions, but it will flower best in full sun.

Forsythia is a familiar yellow flowering shrub that is easy to care for. Each spring, before leaves have fully emerged, these plants are covered with bunches of extremely showy golden-yellow flowers. After blooming, simple green leaves fill in for the rest of the growing season.

Camellia

Scientific Name: Camellia japonica

Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen shrub
Geographic Origin: Asia
Sun Exposure: Part shade
Plant Height: 7-12 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 7-9

Camellias are popular shrubs that are widely available to purchase. There are many camellia varieties available with different flower colors and variations in bloom times.

Flowers may be white, pink, red, or bicolor, and attract bees. Leaves are broad, rich green color, and remain on the plant year round. Because this plant can grow rather tall, it makes an excellent larger addition to a privacy hedge.

Camellias grow best in areas with partial shade. Soil should be kept moist but well-drained. These plants prefer soils that are rich in nutrients and slightly acidic. Camellias have a reputation for being fussy about their environmental conditions, and once planted in a suitable location, they should not be moved.

Cotoneaster

Scientific Name: Cotoneaster divaricatus

Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Geographic Origin: China
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Plant Height: 5-6 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 4-7

The Cotoneaster is a densely leafy shrub that produces an abundance of both flowers and fruits. The flowers bloom in late spring into early summer and are small and pinkish-white.

After blooming, the plant is covered with a multitude of small bright red fruits which are equally attractive. In the fall, the leaves are also colorful and nicely compliment other fall foliage plants.

Cotoneaster does well in moist, well-drained soil. Plant it in a location with full sun to partial shade. Once established, it does well in dryer soil and can tolerate some drought. This plant can be readily propagated by seeds and by stem cuttings.

Fragrant Sumac

Fruits of the shrub Rhus aromatica on a blurred brown background. A cluster of round, red berries covered with fine white hairs that give a glowing effect. Glossy, dark green, coarsely toothed, trifoliate leaves. — Fragrant Sumac produces small, round, fluffy fruits that attract birds.

Scientific Name: Rhus aromatica

Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Geographic Origin: North America
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Plant Height: 2-6 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 3-9

Fragrant Sumac is an attractive shrub native to eastern North America. Clusters of small greenish flowers bloom in the spring, but this plant’s most spectacular display is in the fall. During the peak of autumn leaf season, the leaves of Fragrant Sumac turn brilliant scarlet red and look stunning as a showy hedge.

Plant Fragrant Sumac in dry to medium-moisture soil that is well drained. It does well in either full sun or partial shade. The flowers attract butterflies and the small, round, fuzzy fruits attract birds. Although the leaves closely resemble poison ivy, but this plant does not cause skin irritation.

Fringe Flower

Flowering shrub Loropetalum chinese f. rubrum ‘Zhuzhou Fuchsia’ against a white sky. The branches are densely covered with dark pink flowers that have long petals hanging down. The leaves are small, opposite, oval, green with a pinkish tinge. — This densely leafy shrub grows well in full sun and well-drained soil.

Scientific Name: Loropetalum chinese f. rubrum ‘Zhuzhou Fuchsia’

Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
Geographic Origin: Asia
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Plant Height: 8-12 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 7-9

Fringe Flower, or Chinese Fringe Flower, is a densely leafy shrub that can grow quite tall, and equally as wide. It performs best in full sun. Plant it in soil that is well-drained, rich, and moist. If planted in a location with colder winter temperatures, add mulch around the base to help protect roots from freezing.

This shrub offers both colorful flowers and colorful leaves. Blooms are small deep pink tufts that appear in spring, although some plants will bloom again later in the year.

Older leaves are deep green, but younger leaves at the branch tips range from green to tinged with pink. This plant retains its leaves year round, adding to its ability to create an effective privacy hedge.

Fringe Tree

Flowering branches of a Chionanthus virginicus tree against a blue sky. The branches have large, bright green, oval leaves and numerous delicate creamy white flowers consisting of 4-6 ribbon-like petals that hang down in branched clusters. — Fringe Tree is a showy flowering tree producing many creamy white flowers.

Scientific Name: Chionanthus virginicus

Plant Type: Small tree
Geographic Origin: Eastern United States
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Plant Height: 12-20 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 3-9

Fringe Tree is native to the eastern United States. It is a small flowering tree that is both beautiful and showy. In late spring, the tree produces an abundance of delicate creamy white fringed flowers.

Flowers are fragrant and appear to envelop the tree with a white haze. The tree produces an abundance of small dark purple fruits that attract fruit-eating birds.

Plant the Fringe Tree in a location with full sun to partial shade. Soil should be rich, moist, and well-drained. This compact tree has many potential uses in the home landscape, including incorporating into a privacy hedge.

Gardenia

Scientific Name: Gardenia jasminoides

Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
Geographic Origin: Asia
Sun Exposure: Part shade
Plant Height: 3-6 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 7-11

Gardenias, sometimes called Cape Jasmine, have highly fragrant flowers. Flowers are large, showy, and white and may be single or double blooms. In warmer climates, Gardenia may bloom throughout the summer, but in the cooler part of its growing range, it blooms primarily from late spring through early summer.

Gardenias are evergreen shrubs, and can be fussy about their growing conditions. They do best in areas with partial shade. Soil should be kept moist but not wet.

Plant it in a location with rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil, and fertilize in mid summer. These plants are easily disturbed so try to minimize competition with roots from surrounding plants.

Glossy Abelia

Close-up of Abelia x grandiflora flowering bush against blurred green foliage. The shrub has gracefully curved brown-burgundy branches densely covered with glossy oval dark green leaves and clusters of flowers. Small, bell-shaped, pink-white flowers bloom in clusters on the branches. — Glossy Abelia is a showy hedge shrub that blooms in groups of fragrant, small, white flowers.

Scientific Name: Abelia x grandiflora

Plant Type: Deciduous Shrub
Geographic Origin: Asia
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Plant Height: 3-6 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 5-9

Glossy Abelia is a low-maintenance plant that can be planted in groups to form an effective low hedge. Plants are hardy and tolerant of less-than-ideal growing conditions. Abelia performs well in an area with full sun to partial shade, and medium-moisture well-drained soil.

Flowers bloom from late spring through early fall with clusters of fragrant flowers. Flowers are small, white, and cone shaped, and attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Prune during the winter to encourage fresh spring growth and an abundance of flowers.

Hardy Hibiscus

A beautiful flowering bush Hibiscus moscheutos in a sunny garden against a blurred background of house roofs and green trees. The bush is dense, consists of erect branches covered with large, bright green, hairy deltoid-shaped leaves with three lobes. Huge mallow-like flowers have five overlapping bright pink petals with a dark crimson base. Each flower has a central staminate column with anthers. — Hardy Hibiscus produces showy, large pink or white flowers that attract many pollinators to your garden.

Scientific Name: Hibiscus moscheutos

Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Geographic Origin: Eastern North America
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Plant Height: 3-7 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 5-9

The Hardy Hibiscus, also known as Swamp Mallow, is native to the eastern and southern United States. This plant has extremely showy flowers that bloom from mid to late summer. Flowers are rather large, pink to white, and attract butterflies and other pollinators.

Hardy Hibiscus prefers moist to wet soil and would be an excellent addition to a rain garden. Soil should be rich in organic matter and plants benefit from regular fertilization.

Plant it in full sun for best growth and flowering. If the plant becomes too scraggly looking, it can be pruned to encourage more compact growth.

Highbush Blueberry

Close-up of ripe berries on a Vaccinium corymbosum bush against a background of green foliage. The bush is covered with simple, alternate oval-shaped leaves and ripe and unripe berries. Round berries of dark blue color with a dull gray-blue bloom on the surface. — This magnificent shrub is excellent for edible hedges, producing clusters of sweet berries.

Scientific Name: Vaccinium corymbosum

Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Geographic Origin: Eastern North America
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Plant Height: 4-6 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 5-9

Here’s a flowering shrub for an edible hedge. Blueberries aren’t just for eating, they make great plants for landscaping as well.

They grow best in full sun but will tolerate light partial shade. Soil should be acidic, rich in organic matter, and well-drained. Blueberries don’t like to dry out, so try to keep the soil moist.

Blueberries bloom in the spring with clusters of small white flowers. The flowers attract bees and butterflies. By mid summer, clusters of sweet, ripe blueberries appear, which attract birds and hungry humans. Prune Blueberries in the winter to encourage more compact growth and more productive fruiting.

Inkberry

Close-up of a densely growing Ilex glabra shrub. The bush is covered with flat, elliptical, glossy, dark green leaves with a few marginal teeth near the tips. Small, ripe, black, round berries grow between the leaves. — Inkberry is an evergreen shrub with dark berries that attract birds.

Scientific Name: Ilex glabra

Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
Geographic Origin: Eastern North America
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Plant Height: 5-8 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 4-9

Inkberry is a densely growing shrub that stays green year-round and makes an excellent addition to a hedge planting. The flowers of this shrub are small clusters of greenish-white blooms. Later in the season, plants develop small dark berries that attract birds.

Plant Inkberry in a location with full sun to partial shade. It prefers moist soil that is both acidic and rich in organic matter. In ideal conditions, Inkberry will slowly spread by root suckers, which can help fill in your hedge planting, or these extra growths can be removed if desired.

Lilac

Close-up of a flowering bush Syringa vulgaris in a sunny garden. The leaves are pointed-ovate, dark green. The bush blooms in large conical panicles consisting of small 4-petalled flowers. — Lilacs produce magnificent long clusters of purple flowers that attract birds and butterflies.

Scientific Name: Syringa vulgaris

Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Geographic Origin: Europe
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Plant Height: 10-16 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 3-7

The Lilac, or Common Lilac, produces highly fragrant flowers in the spring. They bloom with long clusters of light purple-blue flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Lilacs can grow quite large and can spread rather aggressively in ideal conditions. Prune off spent flowers and unwanted growths to help control spreading.

Lilacs grow and bloom best in cooler climates and planted in full sun. They like soil that is medium moisture and well-drained. They are not bothered by deer or rabbits and make good cut flowers.

Mock Orange

Close-up of a flowering Philadelphus pubescens bush. The bush has bright green oval leaves with jagged edges and showy cup-shaped flowers with four petals. Long golden stamens stick out in the center of each flower. — Mock Orange is a shrub that produces an abundance of fragrant white flowers.

Scientific Name: Philadelphus pubescens

Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Geographic Origin: Southeastern United States
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Plant Height: 4-10 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 6-9

Mock Orange is a shrub native to the southeastern United States. In late spring through early summer, it blooms with an abundance of fragrant white flowers. This plant produces flowers on old wood, to pruning after flowering will help encourage more blooms the following year.

Mock Orange grows best and with full sun to partial shade. Plant it in a location with well-drained, medium-moisture soil. This shrub is resistant to both deer and rabbits and is an attractive addition to a hedge planting.

Ninebark

Close-up of a flowering Physocarpus opulifolius bush in partial sun. The plant blooms in large, rounded clusters of white, five-petalled flowers with erect long stamens with pink anthers. The leaves are bright green, alternate, simple, palmate-veined, 3-5 lobed. — Ninebark grows well in partial shade and prefers slightly acidic, well-drained soil.

Scientific Name: Physocarpus opulifolius

Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Geographic Origin: Eastern North America
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Plant Height: 5-8 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 2-8

Ninebark is a hardy native plant that grows well in colder climates. Plant it in a location with full sun to part shade. Shade is most appreciated in the warmer parts of its range. Soil should be slightly acidic, medium moisture, and well-drained.

In mid to late spring, Ninebark blooms with large clusters of showy white flowers. In winter months, when the leaves and flowers are gone, the uniquely textured peeling bark adds visual interest. Plants can grow into sturdy upright hedge. In winter, prune them back to encourage dense growth.

Oakleaf Hydrangea

Close-up of a flowering Hydrangea quercifolia bush against a blurred background of a brown wooden fence. The shrub blooms in magnificent conical clusters of creamy white 6-petalled flowers. It has large bright green lobed leaves in the shape of oak leaves. The leaves are covered with small brown spots. — Oakleaf Hydrangea is an attractive shrub that produces large clusters of white flowers that turn pink as they mature.

Scientific Name: Hydrangea quercifolia

Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Geographic Origin: Southeastern United States
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Plant Height: 6-8 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 5-9

This native shrub makes a very attractive addition to the home landscape or privacy hedge. It grows well in either full sun or partial shade. Plant it in rich, well-drained soil and make sure the soil stays moist.

The Oakleaf Hydrangea blooms on old wood, so prune it after blooming to encourage flowers the following year. Flowers are large clusters of white flowers that change to a pinkish color as they get older.

In the fall, leaves turn a beautiful reddish bronze. Even in the winter, with no leaves of flowers, the bark has an attractive reddish hue with interesting peeling texture.

Oleander

Scientific Name: Nerium oleander

Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen shrub
Geographic Origin: Europe, Asia
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Plant Height: 4-8 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 8-10

Oleander is a plant common to the warmer climate zones and it can grow aggressively in ideal conditions. The sap from this plant is also poisonous if ingested and can cause contact dermatitis in some people.

Oleander grows best in a location with full sun to partial shade. Soils should be moist, fertile, and well-drained. Despite Oleander’s challenges, it remains a popular plant for the home landscape.

Oleander blooms in the spring and summer months with flowers ranging from white to many shades of pink. A shrub in full bloom is quite stunning and colorful. Leaves stay green throughout the year. Oleander can grow fairly tall, but also quite wide. Prune them as needed to control shape and size.

Panicle Hydrangea

Close-up of a flowering Hydrangea paniculata bush in the garden. The bush has erect brown stems covered with dark green, oval, deciduous leaves. Upright, conical, apical flower panicles, consisting of fertile and sterile white flowers with a pinkish tinge. — Panicle Hydrangea is great for hedgerows, blooming with large clusters of creamy white flowers from late summer to fall.

Scientific Name: Hydrangea paniculata

Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Geographic Origin: Asia
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Plant Height: 8-15 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 3-8

Panicle Hydrangeas are attractive shrubs that can grow fairly large. In late summer through early fall, this plant blooms with large clusters of creamy white flowers. Allow it to grow into a dense shrub or prune it into a larger-trunked small tree.

Panicle Hydrangeas look nice planted as a single specimen, but also works well as part of a hedge planting. This is a variety of Hydrangea that is quite tolerant of cold and frost and is suitable for more northern climates. Give it well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter and retains medium moisture.

Rose of Sharon

Close-up of two Hibiscus syriacus shrub flowers in a bright sunny garden against blurred green foliage. The flowers are large, tubular, bright pink-purple with crimson centres, with prominent yellow-tipped white stamens. The petals are slightly wavy at the edges. The leaves are bright green, alternate, broadly ovate, with palmate veins. — This shrub blooms from mid-summer with large, showy flowers that attract many pollinators to your garden.

Scientific Name: Hibiscus syriacus

Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Geographic Origin: China, India
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Plant Height: 8-12 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 5-8

Rose of Sharon is a familiar low-maintenance shrub. It blooms anywhere from mid summer through early fall. Flowers are large and showy, attracting a multitude of bees and butterflies. Flowers are typically light pink with a darker pinkish-red center and flowers may be single or double blooms.

This plant does well in full sun or partial shade. It does best in moist rich soils, but is tolerant of a variety of soil conditions. In ideal growing conditions, Rose of Sharon self-seeds freely, so be prepared to thin unwanted plants, or allow them to naturalize in an area for an extra-dense hedge.

Slender Deutzia

Close-up of a profusely flowering Deutzia gracilis bush in a garden. Many small white flowers, consisting of 5 petals, are collected in erect brushes. The leaves are green, opposite, oblong-lanceolate with pointed tips. — Slender Deutzia blooms with incredibly showy and fragrant clusters of pure white flowers.

Scientific Name: Deutzia gracilis

Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Geographic Origin: Japan
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Plant Height: 2-5 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 5-8

Slender Deutzia is a medium-size shrub that can help make an attractive hedge. Abundant spring blooms cover the plant with clusters of pure white flowers, giving the illusion that it’s covered with clumps of snow. The flowers are not only very showy but fragrant.

Deutzia grows well in a location with full sun or partial shade, although produces more abundant flowers in a sunnier spot.

It is tolerant of a variety of soil types but prefers well-drained soil that is rich and moist. Prune any dead branches or those that look scraggly. This will help keep the plant looking its best.

Smoke Bush

Close-up of a Cotinus coggygria bush covered with showy hairy pedicels giving the flowers a "smoky" appearance. Lots of lush, fluffy clusters of pink seed heads covering the bush with a haze of pink down. The leaves are bluish-green, alternate, oval. — Smoke Bush produces fluffy bunches of pink seed heads that cover the bush with a haze of pink fluff.

Scientific Name: Cotinus coggygria

Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Geographic Origin: Asia, Europe
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Plant Height: 6-15 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 5-8

This low-maintenance plant grows well in full sun and tolerates a variety of soil conditions. It prefers average, well-drained soils with medium moisture. Smoke Bush is not bothered by deer and is generally trouble-free.

Smoke Bush, also known as Smoke Tree, produces fluffy-looking bunches of hazy seed heads. The actual flowers are tiny, yellow, and fairly insignificant, but the seed heads are quite eye catching.

In mid to late summer, the pinkish seed heads cover the Smoke Bush with a haze of pink fluff, giving this plant its name. Leaves turn attractive shades of red, orange, or purple in the fall.

Spirea ‘Snow Storm’

Close-up of a flowering shrub Spiraea 'Darsnorm' against a blurred dark background of green foliage and blooming white inflorescences. The large, dome-shaped inflorescences consist of many small, white, 5-petaled flowers with yellow centers. — Spirea ‘Snow Storm’ blooms in large clusters of white flowers that attract butterflies and bees to your garden.

Scientific Name: Spiraea ‘Darsnorm’

Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Geographic Origin: Asia, Europe, North America
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Plant Height: 3-5 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 4-8

There are many species of Spirea available for the home gardener. They vary in origin, plant type, and size, so if you are looking for privacy hedge sized shrubs, choose one of the taller varieties.

Spirea is a low-maintenance shrub that grows well in average, well-drained soils. Plant it in full sun for best growth and flowering.

Spirea blooms from mid spring through early summer. Large, showy clusters of white flowers attract butterflies and bees. Flowers bloom on new wood, so prune these plants in late winter or early spring to encourage fresh new growth and abundant flowering.

Spotted Laurel

A close-up of an Aucuba japonica bush growing in a garden. The bush is covered with densely growing large, oval, wide-toothed, glossy green leaves with creamy yellow speckles. Three red round berries grow between the leaves. — Spotted Laurel is an evergreen shrub with delightfully large, glossy green leaves with creamy yellow speckles.

Scientific Name: Aucuba japonica

Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen shrub
Geographic Origin: Asia
Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
Plant Height: 6-10 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 6-9

Spotted Laurel is primarily of interest for it’s foliage. Leaves are evergreen, providing winter interest and a year-round leafy hedge plant. The leaves are large, broadly serrated, and glossy green with creamy yellow speckles. Spotted Laurel blooms in spring with clusters of dark burgundy red flowers.

This is a low-maintenance plant that will tolerate a shady location. Spotted Laurel likes to be kept moist, growing in rich, well-drained soil. Once established, they are better able to tolerate dry conditions. If growing in a colder climate zone, they can be container grown and brought indoors for the winter months.

Sweet Azalea

Close-up of a flowering bush Rhododendron arborescens. The flowers are large, funnel-shaped, white with prominent red stamens. The leaves are smooth, elliptical, dark green. — Sweet Azalea produces showy, large, white, fragrant flowers that attract pollinators.

Scientific Name: Rhododendron arborescens

Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Geographic Origin: Eastern United States
Sun Exposure: Part shade
Plant Height: 8-15 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 4-7

The Sweet Azalea grows into a rather large shrub and would be an excellent choice for a natural privacy hedge. This plant requires a location with moist, well-drained soil and partial sun exposure. In ideal conditions, these plants can grow quickly.

Sweet Azalea is native to the eastern United States and grows in moist forests. This azalea blooms from late spring into mid summer with loose clusters of white to faintly pink flowers. Flowers are relatively large, showy, fragrant, and attract butterflies.

Weigela

Scientific Name: Weigela florida

Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Geographic Origin: Asia
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Plant Height: 6-10 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 4-8

Weigela is a beautiful shrub that adds a burst of color to a hedge or individual accent planting. Blooming from mid spring through early summer, Weigela produces an abundance of showy pink tubular flowers. Flowers attract both hummingbirds and bees.

Weigela grows easily in a sunny location. Plant it with average, well-drained soil with medium moisture levels. This plant does not require pruning, but if you want to trim it to maintain a more rounded shape, do so after flowering.

Viburnum

Scientific Name: Viburnum dentatum

Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Geographic Origin: Eastern North America
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Plant Height: 6-10 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 2-8

Viburnum, or Arrowwood Viburnum, is a showy native shrub that is quite tolerant of cold weather conditions. This low-maintenance plant makes an excellent addition to a hedge. Give it a sunny location with medium moisture, well-drained soil.

The Arrowwood Viburnum produces showy clusters of white flowers from mid spring through early summer.

Flowers attract butterflies, and the subsequent small fruits attract a variety of fruit-eating birds and other wildlife. Fall foliage of the Viburnum is also attractive and ranges from yellow to shades of orange and red.

Winterberry Holly

Close-up of a branch of an Ilex verticillata bush covered with green foliage and small red berries. The leaves are simple, dark green, oval in shape. — Winterberry Holly produces showy red berries that frugivorous birds love to eat.

Scientific Name: Ilex verticillata

Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Geographic Origin: Central and eastern North America
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Plant Height: 6-12 feet
USDA Plant Zone: 3-9

The Winterberry Holly is a native shrub that, unlike many evergreen Hollies, loses its leaves in the winter.

With no leaves, the densely packed showy red berries are prominently displayed throughout the winter months, so you can enjoy this plant year round. The berries are toxic to humans and pets, but fruit-eating birds enjoy eating the berries.

Winterberry Holly grows well in full sun or partial shade. It is tolerant of a variety of soil conditions, but prefers a rich, moist soil with plenty of organic material. Holly may spread by root suckers so be prepared to trim any unwanted new growths, or allow it to naturalize a larger area.

Final Thoughts

With so many beautiful shrubs to choose from, you should have no trouble creating a beautiful and functional privacy hedge. Try planting several different species with varying bloom times and foliage types to provide diversity throughout each season.

Be sure to select plants that will grow well in your location and give them each enough room to grow and spread. After the initial planning and planting, hedges should be fairly low maintenance so you have more time to enjoy all your flowering shrubs!