You like your neighbors, but you don’t want to see everything that they do. And you probably don’t want them watching you all the time either. And that’s why there are privacy hedges! Tons of options to allow what you do in your yard to stay in your yard. I know my neighbors don’t want to listen to all the hooting and hollering that goes on in our yard. From the girls belting out show tunes, to the way they leave everything we own all over the ground, we’d rather keep it to ourselves. Below are some of our favorite privacy hedges, and there is something for everybody.

Sweet Viburnum – I know what you are going to say. Boring. But you know what, a tried-and-true shrub that can take severe prunes every few years and will even survive a new septic drain-field dug right along its roots is our kind of plant. Tough as nails for any conditions Florida throws at it.

Podocarpus – For those with more refined tastes, the slender foliage of Podocarpus adds a touch of class. It is slower growing than Sweet Viburnum, so it is a great option if you want to do less trimming, but you’ll have to have some patience as you wait for it to grow to its full potential.

Hibiscus – On every tropical island, you will find hibiscus. The big colorful blooms can’t be beat. Most hibiscus varieties grow between 4 and 8 feet tall, depending on how you prune them, giving you great privacy and turning your backyard into a little slice of paradise.

For Shade – Sometimes, you need privacy in a shady area. The above options prefer sun, but there are great plants for shade such as Dwarf Variegated Schefflera or Viburnum Suspensum. The Dwarf Schefflera is delightfully variegated and will slowly grow up to around six feet tall. Viburnum Suspensum is the slow-growing cousin of Sweet Viburnum and while it can tolerate sun, it also stays nice and full in shady areas. Other potential privacy plants for shade that also happen to be lush and tropical include Travelers Palms, White Bird of Paradise, and Areca Palms

Native – If you want to go native, then try Simpson’s Stopper or Beautyberry. Wildlife magnets with privacy to boot, and they know how to take Florida weather without missing a beat.

Vines – If all you have is a very narrow area, then consider vines. They will climb a fence or trellis for privacy in a compact space. Star Jasmine Vine, Mandevilla, and Florida Flame Vine are fast growing, full-covering options.

Bamboo – I know what you are thinking, I don’t want bamboo going everywhere in my yard, but you’re thinking of running bamboo. All of the varieties that we carry are clumping bamboo, and while over time the clumps can get large , especially on big varieties like Giant Timber, many maintain a smaller profile. For bamboo tips, see our Growing Bamboo guide.

There you have it, lots of options for blocking out pesky neighbors. Enjoy your summer doing whatever you like to do in your backyard. Go on, with those beautiful hedges you’ve planted there won’t be anyone watching.