Whether you want an informal or formal privacy hedge we have got you covered.
We handpicked only the best trees and shrubs perfect for creating a hedge for your property.
There are evergreen & deciduous options and fast growing options so you can block noise, hide unwanted views & get your peaceful retreat ready sooner rather than later.
Top Hedge Varieties for Maximum Privacy in Zone 4
1. Common Purple Lilac
Common Purple Lilac offers stunning, fragrant blooms that herald the arrival of spring.
This deciduous shrub thrives in full sun and is exceptionally hardy, making it a favorite for colder climates.
Ideal for hedges, it creates a beautiful and aromatic privacy screen.
- USDA Growing Zone: 3-7
- Average Mature Size: 8-15 feet tall, 6-12 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Medium
- Type: Deciduous
- Maintenance/Pruning Needs: Prune after flowering
- Botanical Name: Syringa vulgaris
2. Taylor Juniper Tree
Ideal for narrow spaces, Taylor Juniper Tree provides a tall, slender privacy screen with its columnar shape.
This evergreen thrives in full sun and is highly drought-tolerant once established, making it a low-maintenance option for hedging.
- USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
- Average Mature Size: 15-20 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Medium
- Type: Evergreen
- Maintenance/Pruning Needs: Minimal pruning needed
- Botanical Name: Juniperus virginiana ‘Taylor’
3. Mugo Pine
Adds a touch of evergreen beauty with its dense, dark green needles, Mugo Pine is a hardy and adaptable shrub perfect for zone 4 landscapes.
This slow-growing pine thrives in full sun and requires minimal maintenance, making it ideal for low hedges and ground cover.
- USDA Growing Zone: 2-7
- Average Mature Size: 3-5 feet tall, 6-10 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Type: Evergreen
- Maintenance/Pruning Needs: Minimal pruning needed
- Botanical Name: Pinus mugo
4. American Arborvitae
Perfect for northern gardens, American Arborvitae thrives in extremely cold climates.
This evergreen forms a dense, upright hedge that provides year-round privacy.
Low-maintenance and fairly drought-tolerant once established, it’s ideal for creating a lush, green barrier.
- USDA Growing Zone: 2-8
- Average Mature Size: 40-60 feet tall, 10-15 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Fast (Up to 1-2 feet per year)
- Type: Evergreen
- Maintenance/Pruning Needs: Prune once per year
- Botanical Name: Thuja occidentalis
5. Hicks Yew
Hicks Yew is an excellent choice for creating a dense, evergreen hedge that offers year-round privacy.
This hardy shrub thrives in both sun and shade, and its upright growth habit makes it ideal for narrow spaces. Easy to maintain, it responds well to pruning.
- USDA Growing Zone: 4-7
- Average Mature Size: 10-12 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Medium
- Type: Evergreen
- Maintenance/Pruning Needs: Prune once per year
- Botanical Name: Taxus x media ‘Hicksii’
6. Juniper Skyrocket Tree
Provides a striking vertical accent with its narrow, columnar shape, Juniper Skyrocket Tree is perfect for tight spaces.
This hardy evergreen thrives in full sun and is highly drought-tolerant once established, requiring minimal maintenance for a tall privacy screen.
- USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
- Average Mature Size: 15-20 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Fast
- Type: Evergreen
- Maintenance/Pruning Needs: Minimal pruning needed
- Botanical Name: Juniperus scopulorum ‘Skyrocket’
7. American Pillar Arborvitae
Creates a lush, evergreen privacy screen with its dense foliage, American Pillar Arborvitae is ideal for narrow spaces.
This fast-growing tree thrives in full sun to partial shade and is resistant to many pests, making it a low-maintenance choice for hedging.
- USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
- Average Mature Size: 25-30 feet tall, 4-5 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Fast
- Type: Evergreen
- Maintenance/Pruning Needs: Minimal pruning needed
- Botanical Name: Thuja occidentalis ‘American Pillar’
8. Willow Hybrid Tree
Provides rapid growth and excellent wind resistance, Willow Hybrid Tree is perfect for creating a fast-growing privacy screen.
This deciduous tree thrives in a variety of soil types and prefers full sun, making it a versatile and low-maintenance option for large spaces.
- USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
- Average Mature Size: 30-40 feet tall, 6-10 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Very fast (Up to 6 feet per year)
- Type: Deciduous
- Maintenance/Pruning Needs: Minimal pruning needed
- Botanical Name: Salix x matsudana x alba
9. Blue Wonder Colorado Spruce
Enhances landscapes with its striking blue needles, Blue Wonder Colorado Spruce is perfect for adding year-round color and texture.
This evergreen thrives in full sun and is very hardy, making it ideal for colder climates and low-maintenance privacy hedges.
- USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
- Average Mature Size: 6-8 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Type: Evergreen
- Maintenance/Pruning Needs: Minimal pruning needed
- Botanical Name: Picea pungens ‘Blue Wonder’
10. Purpleleaf Sand Cherry
Perfect for creating a vibrant privacy hedge in Zone 4, this shrub showcases stunning purple foliage and delicate pinkish-white flowers in spring.
It attracts birds with its small, dark fruits while providing a splash of color throughout the growing season. Hardy and adaptable, it’s a charming addition to any landscape.
- USDA Growing Zone: 2-8
- Average Mature Size: 6-10 feet tall, 5-8 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Type: Deciduous
- Maintenance/Pruning Needs: Low, prune after flowering to maintain shape
- Botanical Name: Prunus x cistena
11. Kerria Golden Guinea
Ideal for Zone 4 privacy hedges, this shrub dazzles with its bright yellow, rose-like flowers in spring and sporadically through summer.
Its green, arching stems add interest even in winter. Thrives in partial shade and adds a cheerful burst of color to any garden.
- USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
- Average Mature Size: 3-6 feet tall and wide
- Growth Rate: Fast
- Type: Deciduous
- Maintenance/Pruning Needs: Low, prune after flowering to maintain shape
- Botanical Name: Kerria japonica ‘Golden Guinea’
12. Meadowlark Forsythia
Brighten up your hedge with this early bloomer, producing an abundance of vibrant yellow flowers in early spring.
Known for its cold hardiness, this shrub maintains its cheerful blooms even after harsh winters. Its lush green foliage in summer turns to a rich yellow or purple in the fall, adding seasonal interest.
- USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
- Average Mature Size: 6-10 feet tall, 5-7 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Fast
- Type: Deciduous
- Maintenance/Pruning Needs: Low, prune after flowering to maintain shape
- Botanical Name: Forsythia ‘Meadowlark’
13. Compacta Burning Bush
Perfect for privacy hedges, this shrub is celebrated for its striking fall display of brilliant red foliage.
Its dense, green leaves in spring and summer provide a lush backdrop, while its compact size makes it ideal for small spaces. Low-maintenance and hardy, it adds vibrant color and structure to any landscape.
- USDA Growing Zone: 4-8
- Average Mature Size: 6-8 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
- Type: Deciduous
- Maintenance/Pruning Needs: Low, prune to maintain shape
- Botanical Name: Euonymus alatus ‘Compacta’
14. Ivory Halo Dogwood
Create a striking privacy hedge in Zone 4 with this ornamental shrub, known for its beautiful variegated leaves and red stems that add winter interest.
Its white flowers in spring and summer are followed by white berries, attracting birds. Adaptable and low-maintenance, it’s a versatile choice for various garden settings.
- USDA Growing Zone: 3-7
- Average Mature Size: 5-6 feet tall and wide
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Type: Deciduous
- Maintenance/Pruning Needs: Low, prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape
- Botanical Name: Cornus alba ‘Bailhalo’
15. Flame Amur Maple
Bursts into fiery reds, oranges, and yellows in the fall, adding vibrant color to any landscape.
Hardy down to -40ºF, the Flame Amur maple thrives in both full sun and part shade, making it versatile for various garden spots.
Once established, it is drought-tolerant and requires minimal maintenance.
- USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
- Average Mature Size: 15-20 feet tall, 15-20 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Fast (Up to 2 feet per year)
- Type: Deciduous
- Maintenance/Pruning Needs: Prune once per year
- Botanical Name: Acer ginnala ‘Flame’
Things To Consider Before Planting
Purpose and Design
Privacy Needs: Determine the level of privacy you desire. Do you need a dense, tall hedge to block out neighboring properties, or a lower, more decorative boundary?
Aesthetic Preferences: Decide between a formal or informal hedge. Formal hedges have a manicured, symmetrical look, often with evergreen species that can be neatly trimmed. Informal hedges are more natural and can include a variety of flowering or deciduous plants.
Climate Suitability
Seasonal Changes: Consider how the hedge will look throughout the year. Evergreen species provide year-round privacy, while deciduous species will change with the seasons, offering different aesthetics but less winter privacy.
Plant Selection
Evergreens for Formal Hedges: Consider species like Boxwood (Buxus), Arborvitae (Thuja), or Yew (Taxus) for a formal look. These can be pruned to maintain a neat, uniform shape.
Flowering and Deciduous for Informal Hedges: Consider Lilac (Syringa), Forsythia, or Ninebark (Physocarpus) for a more relaxed, natural appearance. These can provide seasonal flowers and colorful foliage.
Growth Rate and Maintenance
Growth Speed: Decide if you want fast-growing species for quick privacy or slower-growing species that require less frequent maintenance.
Pruning and Shaping: Consider how much time you’re willing to dedicate to maintaining the hedge. Formal hedges typically require regular pruning, while informal hedges need less frequent attention.
Soil and Sunlight Requirements
Soil Type: Assess your soil’s drainage, pH, and fertility. Some plants have specific soil preferences, so ensure your chosen species will thrive in your garden’s conditions.
Sunlight: Ensure the hedge location receives the appropriate amount of sunlight. Some plants prefer full sun, while others can tolerate partial shade.
Spacing and Growth Habit
Plant Spacing: Determine the appropriate spacing between plants to ensure they have enough room to grow to their full potential. Overcrowding can lead to poor health and increased maintenance.
Growth Habit: Understand the mature size and shape of your chosen plants to ensure they fit the space without becoming too large or invasive.
Local Wildlife and Pests
Attracting Wildlife: Some hedges can attract beneficial wildlife like birds and pollinators. Choose species that contribute positively to your local ecosystem.
Pest Resistance: Opt for plants that are resistant to common pests and diseases in your area to reduce the need for chemical treatments and ensure a healthier hedge.
Legal and Community Regulations
Zoning Laws: Check local regulations regarding hedge height and placement to avoid conflicts with neighbors or local authorities.
Homeowners Association (HOA) Rules: If you live in a community with an HOA, ensure your hedge plans comply with any specific guidelines or restrictions.
Long-Term Considerations
Future Growth: Think about how the hedge will fit into your landscape as it matures. Will it still meet your privacy needs in 5-10 years?
Want More?
If you’re still searching for the ideal hedging tree for Zone 4, we’ve got you covered!
Check out our articles on privacy trees perfect for your fence line or find the best options for privacy hedges.
For even more ideas, explore our suggestions for natural privacy screens that might be just what your garden needs.