Carolina Rose Flowers

Carolina rose (Rose carolina) is great for privacy, but it's also beautiful to look at. From late spring to summer, it produces showy, fragrant pink flowers with a yellow center. The red rosehips attract birds, and the thorny branches provide protection for shelter and nests, says Phillips. It can be planted in a row to create a living fence, creating a natural separation that still lets some light and air through.

Viburnum flowers plant

Create a fast-growing privacy screen with viburnum. “Different varieties and species offer stunning visual appeal, whether through vibrant flowers, attractive fall foliage, or the shifting colors of new foliage growth," says Jim Putnam, plant expert for Southern Living Plant Collection. "Viburnum is a real showstopper, especially if you plant it in a sunny spot where the new leaves can put on their best color."

Butterfly Bush Flowers

Butterfly bush (Buddleia) is a deciduous flowering shrub that produces colorful blooms and attractive foliage. "The plant features long, arching branches covered with clusters of small, fragrant flowers," says Funk. "The flowers come in various colors, including purple, pink, white, and yellow, attracting butterflies, bees, and other pollinators." It's a dense, fast grower that should be regularly pruned in late winter or spring to ensure it maintains its shape.

Weigela flowers plants

Weigela has arched branches that are covered in red and pink blooms from late spring to early summer. The foliage is typically deep green, burgundy, or purple and can be variegated. "Due to its dense foliage and upright growth, weigela is ideal for privacy screening," says Funk. "Pruning after flowering maintains shape and encourages future blooms."

Barberry flower plants

If you're looking for a low-maintenance shrub option, consider barberry. It's commonly grown in landscapes for its durability and adaptability to poor soils. "Varieties with reddish or golden foliage add an intriguing element to the landscape," says Damon Abdi of the Hammond Research Station at Louisiana State University's agricultural center. While it's a great privacy shrub, keep in mind that it may be considered invasive in some zones, so do your research before planting.

Loropetalum flower plants

Loropetalum boasts red, burgundy, or green foliage and flowers in a range of colors, from pinks and reds to purples and whites, says Abdi. It's an insect- and disease-resistant plant that will beautifully accent the other plants in your yard.

Pittosporum flower plants

Pittosporum has evergreen leaves in tight whorls that form at the top of the branches, creating a pleasant texture in the garden, says Abdi. It provides white flower clusters that stand out against the shrub's foliage.

Sweet Olive Flower Plant

For a fragrant option, sweet olive (Osmanthus fragrans) has pleasant-smelling small flowers that bloom during fall, winter, and spring, adding subtle interest to the landscape. "The blooms are small and not super showy, but they definitely have an appealing scent," says Abdi.

Azalea flowers

Azaleas are known for their vibrant pink blooms, which add vibrant color to the garden. While not all azalea varieties are good for privacy, some can grow to be up to 10 feet tall and look beautiful as a living fence.

Camellia flower plant

Camellias have very showy, pink, yellow, red, or white flowers—with some varieties even blooming during winter. This pollinator-friendly shrub has thick foliage that can create a beautiful privacy hedge in the landscape.