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 sit close together, a quiet and private garden isn’t just about looks. 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 in Vancouver, I’ve helped many homeowners turn an exposed yard into a private one.
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.
Before you pick anything off this list, do one thing. Walk the fence line after a week of November rain. Look for the spot where water still stands. That spot decides more than the plant tag does. A lot of Westside yards sit on heavy clay. An emerald cedar planted into a wet corner browns from the bottom up, and no feeding fixes that. Red twig dogwood and clumping bamboo take the same corner and do not mind it. The other end of the year matters too. Our summers turn dry from July into September. A hedge planted in spring needs deep watering through its first two summers here, or it thins out just when you want it thick.
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:
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Spacing: Plant 2 to 3 feet apart for a full, uniform hedge
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Light Requirements: Thrives in partial to full sun
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Soil: Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil
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Maintenance: Prune in early spring and again in late summer to maintain form and encourage bushiness
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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.
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 does two jobs at once, and it suits the narrow side yards common in Vancouver.
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:
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Variety: Choose Fargesia robusta or Fargesia rufa for cold-tolerant, non-invasive growth
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Spacing: Plant 3–5 feet apart depending on desired density
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Sunlight: Prefers partial shade to filtered sunlight (ideal for Vancouver’s temperate climate)
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Soil & Water: Moist, well-draining soil is best; water regularly during the first growing season
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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.
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:
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Space 2–3 feet apart
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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:
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Space 3–4 feet apart for a dense wall
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Water deeply and consistently during first year
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Minimal pruning required
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:
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Plant in moist, well-drained soil
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Cut 1/3 of stems in early spring for best color
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Space 3–4 feet apart
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 a bonus: glossy leaves and bright red berries on the female plants.
Planting Tips:
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Plant male and female shrubs for berries
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Space 4–6 feet apart
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Prune in late winter or early spring
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:
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Space 6–10 feet apart
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Prune annually to maintain height
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Requires full sun and moderate water
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:
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Space 3–4 feet apart
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Prune after flowering
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Avoid overwatering in clay-heavy soil
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:
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Full sun and well-drained soil
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Cut back in late winter
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Use in containers or group plantings
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 soil, windy corners and salt spray.
Planting Tips:
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Space 4–5 feet apart
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Prune twice per year
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Add compost to improve soil structure
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.
Not sure which of these ten fits your fence line? Take a photo of the spot after rain. Bring it to DH Garden Centre, 3742 West 10th Avenue in Kitsilano, open 11:00 to 18:30 every day. We will talk through drainage and spacing with you, and you leave knowing what to plant. Or send the photo ahead. While you wait, read what grows in wet Vancouver soil.
