Guides

Native Shrubs for Privacy & Screening in Maryland

The default privacy screen — a row of identical Leyland cypress or arborvitae — is a brittle monoculture that browns out, blows over, and feeds nothing. A mixed native screen is tougher, more interesting through the seasons, and a haven for birds. Here's what I plant to block a view in Maryland and DC yards.

Design tip — the "tapestry hedge": instead of one species in a straight line, mix three or four (some evergreen for year-round cover, some deciduous for flowers, berries, and fall color) in a loose, layered band. It screens better, never fails all at once, and looks intentional rather than industrial.

Evergreen — year-round cover

Ilex opaca — American Holly. Classic dense evergreen; red berries for winter birds.
Ilex glabra — Inkberry. A native, well-behaved alternative to boxwood for a lower hedge.
Juniperus virginiana — Eastern Red Cedar. Fast, tough, drought-proof; excellent tall screen.
Myrica cerifera — Wax Myrtle. Aromatic, fast-growing, semi-evergreen; fills in quickly.

Deciduous — flowers, berries & fall color

Viburnum dentatum — Arrowwood Viburnum. Dense, adaptable; white flowers, blue berries, good fall color.
Viburnum prunifolium — Blackhaw. Large shrub/small tree; can be limbed up or left full.
Physocarpus opulifolius — Ninebark. Fast and full, with peeling bark for winter interest.
Clethra alnifolia — Summersweet. Fragrant summer screen that handles shade and wet.
Cornus sericea — Red-twig Dogwood. Brilliant red winter stems once the leaves drop.
Amelanchier canadensis — Serviceberry. A multi-stem small tree for a taller, airier screen; spring flowers, edible berries.

Want privacy without the wall of cypress?

A layered native screen is one of the best upgrades you can make to a yard — I'll design the mix to fit your spot (how tall, how long, sun or shade).

Get in touch to learn more