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Privacy Screens · Zone 9b

Privacy Plants for
Northeast Florida Landscapes

Build a living screen that fits the heat, humidity, wind, and sandy soil around St. Augustine. These evergreen shrubs, trees, and clumping grasses give you coverage without leaning on plants that struggle in deep Florida heat.

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Better Screens Start with Right-Sized Plants

In St. Augustine, a good privacy planting is evergreen, heat-tolerant, and matched to the space you actually have.

1

Choose Florida-Tough Evergreens

Sweet viburnum, podocarpus, wax myrtle, Simpson's stopper, cherry laurel, and clumping bamboo can make strong screens when matched to sun, drainage, and mature size.

2

Plan for Mature Width

Privacy plants fail when they are packed too tightly. Leave room for airflow, maintenance access, and the final size of the hedge.

3

Layer Where Space Allows

A tall evergreen backdrop with lower shrubs or grasses in front looks softer and handles gaps better than one straight wall of plants.

Plant Finder

Find Your Privacy Plant

Filter by type and build a plant list for your screen or hedge.

Showing 38 of 38 plants

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Viburnum, ShrubShrub

Viburnum

Light
Full Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade
Water
Moderate
Size
4-20 feet × 4-15 feet

Non-toxic to dogs and cats

Podocarpus (Podocarpus macrophyllus), TreeTree

Podocarpus

Podocarpus macrophyllus

Light
Full Sun, Part Shade
Water
Moderate
Size
15-40 feet × 6-15 feet

Toxic to dogs and cats

Japanese Blueberry Tree (Elaeocarpus decipiens), TreeTree

Japanese Blueberry Tree

Elaeocarpus decipiens

Light
Full Sun, Part Sun
Water
Moderate
Size
20-35 feet × 15-25 feet

not on file, check before planting where pets chew

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best fast-growing privacy plants for Northeast Florida?+

In St. Augustine, sweet viburnum, podocarpus, wax myrtle, Simpson's stopper, cherry laurel, and clumping bamboo all grow quickly into dense, evergreen screens suited to our zone 9a climate.

How fast do privacy hedges grow here?+

Vigorous choices like sweet viburnum and podocarpus can add 2 to 3 feet a year once established, forming a usable screen in two to three seasons. Slower, tighter shrubs trade speed for less pruning.

What is the best evergreen plant for a year-round privacy screen?+

Sweet viburnum, podocarpus, wax myrtle, and Simpson's stopper hold their leaves through winter and take shearing well, making them reliable evergreen screens for Northeast Florida.

How far apart should I space a privacy hedge?+

Most screening shrubs go 3 to 5 feet apart depending on their mature width. Closer spacing fills in faster; wider spacing uses fewer plants but takes longer to close the gaps.

Do privacy plants need a lot of upkeep?+

They need water while establishing and occasional pruning to stay dense and shaped. Picking a plant whose natural height fits your space is the single best way to cut long-term maintenance.

Can I get a privacy screen that also handles salt or shade?+

Yes. Wax myrtle and Simpson's stopper tolerate some salt, while viburnum and podocarpus take part shade. Tell us your site conditions and we will match a screen to it.

What works for privacy in a narrow space?+

For tight spots, upright columnar choices like podocarpus or clumping bamboo give height without spreading wide, and they respond well to shaping.

See All FAQs

Ready to Plant a Living Screen?

Bring your measurements and sun exposure. We can help you choose privacy plants that fit your St. Augustine landscape.

Call (904) 471-0440Browse Privacy Plants