Popularity, clearly labeled
The Most Popular Privacy Shrubs and Screening Plants
Among taller shrubs and trees cataloged for screening, these are the genera Sow gardeners save most. Mature width, growth rate, and local suitability still need variety-level review.

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 108 varieties. Generous flower heads and long-lasting structure carry a border from summer onward.
Zones 4–9All 108 varieties →
Butterfly Bush
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 80 varieties. Long, fragrant flower panicles become busy landing strips for butterflies.
Zones 5–9All 80 varieties →
3Rosa
Rose
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 292 varieties. No other shrub matches roses for range of habit, fragrance, color, and repeat bloom.
Zones 5–10All 292 varieties →
Pawpaw
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 1 variety. Its representative is notable for being North American native and usually passed over by deer.
Zones 5–9All 1 variety →
Arborvitae
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 49 varieties. Dense evergreen fans make one of the most adaptable living screens.
Zones 5–8All 49 varieties →
6Acer
Maple
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 87 varieties. Layered branching and memorable fall color make maples year-round anchors.
Zones 5–8All 87 varieties →
Redbud
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 25 varieties. Redbud flowers open directly on bare branches before heart-shaped leaves emerge.
Zones 5–9All 25 varieties →
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 33 varieties. Oaks combine monumental structure with exceptional food and habitat value for wildlife.
Zones 4–9All 33 varieties →
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 1 variety. Its representative is notable for being North American native and dry-spell tolerant.
Zones 4–9All 1 variety →
10Prunus
Cherry / Plum
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 78 varieties. This broad genus pairs spring blossom with stone fruit and handsome woody structure.
Zones 4–9All 78 varieties →
11Lonicera
Honeysuckle
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 19 varieties. Tubular, often fragrant flowers turn fences into nectar-rich habitat.
Zones 5–9All 19 varieties →
12Salix
Willow
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 17 varieties. Rapid growth and flexible stems bring movement and fast screening to moist ground.
Zones 4–8All 17 varieties →
13Betula
Birch
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 14 varieties. Its representative is notable for being North American native and usually passed over by deer.
Zones 4–9All 14 varieties →
Juniper
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 80 varieties. Needled evergreen texture, ground-hugging to upright, solves exposed sites year-round.
Zones 4–9All 80 varieties →
15Celtis
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 3 varieties. Its representative is notable for being North American native and dry-spell tolerant.
Zones 4–9All 3 varieties →
16Lindera
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 1 variety. Its representative is notable for being North American native and usually passed over by deer.
Zones 4–9All 1 variety →
Serviceberry
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 11 varieties. Spring blossom, summer fruit, and fall color earn serviceberry three seasons of interest.
Zones 4–9All 11 varieties →
18Magnolia
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 36 varieties. Sculptural branching and large, luminous flowers create a true specimen tree.
Zones 5, 7, 8, 9All 36 varieties →
19Picea
Spruce
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 11 varieties. Dense needled tiers provide year-round screening and a strong winter silhouette.
Zones 4–7All 11 varieties →
20Cornus
Dogwood
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 58 varieties. Dogwoods layer flowers or bracts, berries, fall color, and elegant branching.
Zones 4–7All 58 varieties →
About this list
How was this the most popular privacy shrubs and screening plants list ranked?
A plant must first match the catalog filters named in the title. Each genus is represented and ranked by its most-saved matching variety, so genera with many cultivars do not receive an automatic advantage.
What’s the fastest way to a living privacy screen?
Plant larger stock of fast growers (arborvitae, viburnum, ornamental grasses as a stopgap) at proper spacing — cramming plants closer buys a year now and costs the screen later when they crowd out.
Track these in your garden
Save the ones you plant and get care reminders timed to your zone.


