Top 10 Privacy Plants for Your Backyard in Vancouver, Canada

Top 10 Privacy Plants for Your Backyard in Vancouver, Canada

Create Your Green Sanctuary with Expert Tips from Darrell Smith, Owner of DH Garden Centre & DH Landscape Solution

Why Backyard Privacy Matters

In a city like Vancouver—where homes are close and privacy can feel like a luxury creating your own quiet, secluded garden isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about peace of mind.

Whether you’re enjoying your morning coffee on the patio, entertaining friends in the evening, or simply stepping outside for a moment of calm, privacy plays a key role in how your outdoor space makes you feel.

And while fences help, the real magic lies in choosing the right plants. As the owner of DH Garden Centre and DH Landscape Solution, with over 25 years in landscaping and 11 years in customer service—I’ve helped countless homeowners turn exposed yards into lush, tranquil sanctuaries.

So if you’re looking for effective, beautiful, and practical plants for backyard privacy, these ten choices are proven winners especially for our Vancouver climate.

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🌿 1. Boxwood (Buxus spp.)

Ideal Use: Structured hedging, formal gardens, low to mid-height privacy
Why It’s Effective: Evergreen, compact, and highly adaptable to pruning

Boxwood is a timeless selection for homeowners seeking clean, classic lines in their garden design. Its dense, glossy foliage creates an elegant privacy barrier, making it especially suitable for formal hedges or as a backdrop in ornamental beds. Thanks to its slow, predictable growth and tolerance for shaping, it’s an excellent option for both traditional and modern landscapes.

Planting & Care Tips:

• Spacing: Plant 2 to 3 feet apart for a full, uniform hedge

• Light Requirements: Thrives in partial to full sun

• Soil: Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil

• Maintenance: Prune in early spring and again in late summer to maintain form and encourage bushiness

• Mulch: Apply mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds

Boxwood is also deer-resistant and suitable for container growing, making it a versatile choice for privacy planting in urban or suburban settings.

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🎋 2. Clumping Bamboo (Fargesia spp.)

Ideal Use: Narrow spaces, urban gardens, fast-growing privacy screens
Why It’s Effective: Dense, graceful foliage with a non-invasive root system

Clumping bamboo, particularly cold-hardy Fargesia varieties, is an excellent solution for homeowners looking to create privacy quickly without the risks associated with running bamboo. With its vertical growth habit and elegant movement, clumping bamboo adds both function and visual appeal—perfect for modern garden designs in compact Vancouver spaces.

Unlike traditional bamboo, Fargesia doesn’t spread aggressively, making it a low-maintenance, container-friendly option for patios, balconies, and raised beds.

Planting & Care Tips:

• Variety: Choose Fargesia robusta or Fargesia rufa for cold-tolerant, non-invasive growth

• Spacing: Plant 3–5 feet apart depending on desired density

• Sunlight: Prefers partial shade to filtered sunlight (ideal for Vancouver’s temperate climate)

• Soil & Water: Moist, well-draining soil is best; water regularly during the first growing season

• Containers: Grows exceptionally well in large pots or planter boxes with adequate drainage

With its soft texture and quick growth, clumping bamboo is one of the most versatile and elegant privacy plants available for Canadian backyards.

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🌳 3. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

Best for: Quick hedges on a budget
Why it works: Fast-growing, dense, and adaptable

Privet is one of the most affordable ways to gain privacy quickly. Its thick foliage and forgiving nature make it a popular option across Canada.

Planting Tips:

• Space 2–3 feet apart

• Tolerates full sun to part shade

• Prune frequently to maintain structure

🌲 4. Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) – Emerald Cedar

Best for: Tall, narrow evergreen screens
Why it works: Year-round coverage, low-maintenance

One of the most popular privacy plants in Vancouver, Arborvitae (especially the ‘Smaragd’ or Emerald Cedar) grows in a neat column and fits well along fences.

Planting Tips:

• Space 3–4 feet apart for a dense wall

• Water deeply and consistently during first year

• Minimal pruning required

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🔴 5. Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea)

Best for: Seasonal interest + privacy
Why it works: Vivid winter color, native and hardy

This deciduous shrub is loved for its fiery red stems in winter and leafy fullness in summer. Great for layering with evergreen plants.

Planting Tips:

• Plant in moist, well-drained soil

• Cut 1/3 of stems in early spring for best color

• Space 3–4 feet apart

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🌟 6. Holly (Ilex spp.)

Best for: Wildlife-friendly evergreen hedges
Why it works: Year-round structure, berries, and texture

Holly shrubs offer tough, evergreen privacy with added charm—thanks to their glossy leaves and bright red berries (female plants only).

Planting Tips:

• Plant male and female shrubs for berries

• Space 4–6 feet apart

• Prune in late winter or early spring

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🌲 7. Leyland Cypress (Cupressus × leylandii)

Best for: Large yards and tall barriers
Why it works: Fast-growing and evergreen

Ideal for acreage or large suburban lots, Leyland Cypress can reach heights of 30–50 feet. Its thick growth offers excellent wind and sound protection.

Planting Tips:

• Space 6–10 feet apart

• Prune annually to maintain height

• Requires full sun and moderate water

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🍃 8. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Best for: Shady areas needing privacy
Why it works: Evergreen, fragrant, and lush

Cherry Laurel thrives in partial shade and provides a soft, leafy backdrop with spring flowers and dense growth.

Planting Tips:

• Space 3–4 feet apart

• Prune after flowering

• Avoid overwatering in clay-heavy soil

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💨 9. Bamboo Muhly (Muhlenbergia dumosa)

Best for: Modern designs, soft privacy screens
Why it works: Ornamental grass with bamboo-like texture

Not a true bamboo, Bamboo Muhly brings elegance and movement to any garden. It’s drought-tolerant and works well in clusters.

Planting Tips:

• Full sun and well-drained soil

• Cut back in late winter

• Use in containers or group plantings

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🪴 10. Eleagnus (Elaeagnus x ebbingei)

Best for: Tough sites and coastal gardens
Why it works: Salt-tolerant, evergreen, and fragrant

Eleagnus is one of the most resilient privacy shrubs available. It thrives where others fail—including sandy soils, windy areas, and salt exposure.

Planting Tips:

• Space 4–5 feet apart

• Prune twice per year

• Add compost to improve soil structure

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Final Thoughts: Build a Private Backyard Sanctuary

Creating a peaceful and private outdoor space doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. With the right plant selection, you can design a natural privacy screen that looks beautiful year-round and fits your unique needs.

At DH Garden Centre, we specialize in locally adapted, climate-smart plants that work in Vancouver’s conditions. Whether you need a fast-growing hedge, an evergreen windbreak, or a show-stopping feature shrub, we’ll help you make the right choice—backed by expert advice and personal care.

Come visit us at 3742 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, or browse our selection online at dhgardencentre.com.

Need help designing your backyard privacy screen? Our DH Landscape Solution team offers consultations and simple custom designs to help bring your vision to life—one plant at a time.